Young Talk, April 2008

Vol. 11 No.3 April 2008

Not for SALE: Young Talk is FREE

•Know your rights •Stay in school

Sex education for primary schools

•Delay sex

Caring for a person with AIDS I cared for my father My father became ill in 2004 when I was 12. I was in P5 at Zion PS in Entebbe. My brothers and sisters were in boarding school. They had a sponsor who was paying for them. We lived with my brother who had just completed S6. I cooked and washed for my sick father. He had saved money which we used to buy food. When It got finished, I worked as a porter at a bricklaying site to earn money for food. Dad became very ill and was admitted in Entebbe Hospital. We needed more money. My brother left for Kampala to look for a job. I would go to work everyday before and after school. Late in the evening, I would prepare food and take it to hospital. The food would last for two days. I would feed dad and help him change clothes. Sometimes I would sit and listen to my father. He needed someone to talk to since he was always alone during the day. He encouraged me to continue with my studies. He said when he dies, I should stay with my uncle. As he talked, I cried. After a month, my brother returned without a job. Then dad died. Looking after my dad was tiring. I

could not perform well in class. The good thing, I did not have to look for school fees. The school paid for me because I was a good goalkeeper. I missed my PLE since I did not have money for registration. I sat home for a year but now I am in P7 at Maganjo SDA PS. I told the headmistress that I was a good footballer. She allowed me to study for free.I hope to become a professional footballer. Kabuye Charles, 15, P7, Maganjo SDA PS, Wakiso

Like Charles, there are many young people taking care of people with AIDS. It is not easy. Read more about how to look after a person with AIDS and still go to school. Also find out how you can avoid HIV on Page 2

"I could feed my dad and help him change clothes, then find time to work before and after school.

You can support relatives with AIDS in the following ways:

Cook food that has vitamins and protein like green vegetables and beans. Always give your patient clean water

Wash clothes and maintain hygiene to protect your patient from diarrhoea

Support the patient to the bathroom

Make sure your patient takes medicine correctly everyday, including daily septrin.

YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

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Young Talk, April 2008

Nursing an AIDS patient Nursing an AIDS patient is not . easy, but you can manage. Read on for some helpful information on caring people with HIV.

Staying safe while caring for an AIDS patient

I cared for my sister I lived with my elder sister who had AIDS. She would tell me , "I am dying." I cried. I was the only one looking after her. I would bathe and take her to the toilet. One time she got wounds and her legs became big. I got scared. I called our neighbour for help. She took her to hospital. One morning when I had just reached school, I was informed she had died. Matovu Fauli, 13, P7, Maganjo SDA PS, Wakiso Fauli looked for help. If you are cannot manage, ask someone to help you.

I still help my auntie I live with my auntie who is HIV positive. I would cook, wash her clothes, plates and cups. I make

sure she sleeps under a mosquito net. I also give her advice like getting enough rest.. NV, Okufura, Arua

To avoid getting HIV while caring for a sick person: • If the patient has wounds, use gloves to avoid touching body fluids like blood. Ask for gloves from a TASO branch near you.

• While washing clothes with urine or feaces of the patient, use gloves.

Segawa Nassan and Maito Henry of Maganjo SDA PS think through their own stories to write

• Avoid sharing toothbrushes, sponges and body piercing tools with the sick person.

For Teachers

• Wash your hands before preparing

I pick out children who have health or social problems and counsel them. Some of them are HIV positive but don’t know. We cannot tell the children when their parents are silent. Sometimes it is the neighbors who come and tell us. But we encourage all pupils to be supportive of each other. We do this in counseling and PIASCY lessons. Kyaterekera Daniel, Young Talk Patron, Maganjo SDA PS, Wakiso

and eating food.

• In case you accidentally get in contact with body fluids, wash with soap and water and immediately visit the health centre.

Teachers, if children report to you that they have sick parents or relatives, support them with counseling. Know how they are coping. Encourage them to stay in school even when they are caring for the sick person

You cannot get HIV through: ance Refused atoch help my friends I always wanted d AIDS. The whose parents ha h and could not parents were toug a Joan, 10, um allow me. Nabu A PS, Wakiso SD jo an ag M P6

• Sharing cups, plates with patients • Shaking hands or hugging them • Sharing toilets and bathrooms with them

Get some help Everyone can give care. Boy or girl. and save time to go to school. You If you are more than one in the should not look at the patient as a family, give help to each other. Do problem. what you are good He/she is still useful. Try to get some at help from: Relatives, LCs, school leaders, friends and neighbors. Work as a family to help each Special friends other Friends are special. Ask them to help you where you cannot manage. Also find time to play with your friends.

Dictionary ARVs - Drugs for AIDS patients Patient - A sick person gs Porter - One who carries thin or does small jobs for people er Empower - Give one the pow ng ethi som do to Siblings - people born of the same parents Pierce: Put a small hole

talk to you and get a solution to a problem. You can get one at a hospital. They can give you advice on what to do in case of a problem. "I am helping a 14 year-old P4 pupil who is caring for his mother who is on ARVs. I encourage him to talk with her whenever there is a problem at home. He is also HIV positive but not yet on ARVs. He takes daily septrin. Every Saturday, he comes to the center for education talks. He also plays with others". Tayebwa Israel, Counselor, AIC Kabale

Plan • Stay in school. ll we e your tim for between caring ol ho sc d an k sic e th n ca rls gi d an • Boys rson care for a sick pe • Ask for help tient • Remind the pa on ne ici ed m to take time

day at a time. Use what you have properly. Do not waste food or money. You will need them tomorrow. You should also know that if the patient is looked after well, he/she can live long. So do worry about the future. People have lived for over 15 years with HIV. Talk, share your views and feelings with the patient, also seek help from the community. Christine Aruo, Child Counselor, TASO Soroti

Teachers Talk to a friendly teacher for advice and help.

Counselor

Some children feel bad and want to know how their parents or brothers and sisters got HIV. This will not change anything. Instead, try to look at the future. Take one

Ask a neighbour when you need help

A counselor is a person who can YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

3 Young Talk, April 2008

What took you so long?

Oh, mama! Today we had to cross the river to find firewood.

Dictionary:

Sara and zingo put down their load and go into the cooking hut where her mother and grand mother are preparing.

tired, her grandmother insists telling her a woman’s work is never finished. Sara goes to help her auntie with cooking. The auntie is alone at home since her daughter got married. As she does the work, she is thinking about school. Meanwhile her uncles are seated under a tree talking.

Chop: Cut into small pieces. Chore: work Insist: Remain firm/ Not change Realise: Notice

The special Gift

Welcome to part II of the “Sara the Special Gift.” In this part, Sara and Zingo are back from fetching firewood. Sara is very tired but her grandmother wants her to go and help her sick auntie. Although she says she is

• It is not only a girl’s duty to do house chores. • Even girls get tired. •Early marriage is bad But I’m so tired!

Sit down Sara, I have to talk to you. We can all talk later. Your aunt has asked you to go over and help. She’s not feeling well today

Sara and Zingo cross the compound to her uncle’s house to help her aunt

A woman’s work is never done, Sara. you’ll soon realise that.

If you could just help me a little. your uncle will be demanding his meal.

Oh, Sara, You are here at last

Can you chop these vegetables while I light the fire I wish my daughter had not got married so eary. I really miss her

Do you ever think of anything besides school? Me too! she always helped me with my school work.

Alright aunt YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

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Young Talk, April 2008

Is it true that a girl who throws her pads in a latrine, will never produce? Chebet S, 13, P7, St. Mary’s girls’ PS, Nakapiripirit It is not true Chebet. Instead,throwing pads in the latrine is a good hygiene practice. Don’t worry, once a girl starts producing eggs, it will go on for many years. She will produce even when she has been throwing her pads in the latrine.

DEAR Young TALK la P.O. B0X 22366 Kampa There are boys and girls in my village who write each other letters. What can I do to stop them? Tumwine U, 13, P6, Nyamiko PS, Ntungamo It is not bad for boys and girls to write each other letters. It is a way of expressing themselves. But they shouldn't write about things that encourage them to start sex. You can warn them about what they write.

Young Talk has taught us to delay sex until we finish our studies. Bugunzu PS Young Talk Club members, Sironko

Can a girl get pregnant if she has sex two days after her menstruation? Niwasasira R, Rukingiri Modern PS, Rukungiri Yes. Fertilization of a female egg by a sperm can happen anytime. There are no safe days. Remember, you will not be safe from HIV/STDs. Keep delaying sex. You are still very young. When a boy touches my breasts I get sexual feelings, what causes that? NA. Mother Care PS, Hoima Why do the boys touch your breasts? Where do they do it from? Breasts are sensitive parts of the body. Next time a boy touches them, you may end up having sex. You can get pregnant, or infected with HIV/STDs. Respect your body, say No to bad touches. Will anything happen to me if I delay sex up to the age of 25? Nabukalu V, P5, 14, Nkonge Umea PS No. Nothing will happen to you. What have your friends told you? Most of the information they have is not right. Nothing will happen to you if you delay sex. You will keep healthy and achieve your dreams, including finishing your studies. Delaying sex helps you avoid HIV/STDs and unwanted pregnancies.

We like reading Young Talk. It encourages us to stay in school. Pupils of Ngomoromo PS, Kitgum Can HIV spread through sexual fluids of women and men? Nuwamanya P,14, Mashonga PS, Bushenyi Yes. Sex is the main way through which HIV is spread. Semen and a woman's vaginal fluids contain a lot of HIV. You can also get infected through contact with blood of an infected person. Is it true that a boy of 13 can grow pubic hair? Mugabi B, P5, Bushenyi Prep. School Yes, at 13, a boy has reached puberty and will have body changes.

Growing pubic hair is one of the changes. Girls too will grow pubic hair at this age or when they are older. Boys and girls need to practice good hygiene at this stage. Always trim the hair and bathe daily to remain clean. Can you get HIV by eating with people who have HIV/AIDS? Namutebi J, 13, Child Jesus PS, Moroto No. You can only get HIV through sex with an infected person, or sharing sharp instruments like razorblade or from a mother to her child at birth or through breastfeeding. Sharing a meal with a person with HIV is good and makes them feel loved. Is it true that a pupil of 12 years can get pregnant? Pulkol B, 13, P7 St. Mary’s girls’ PS, Nakapiripirit Brenda, it is possible. A girl can get pregnant from the age of eight or nine. It does not matter whether you have started menstruation. That could be your first ovary (egg). Delay sex to avoid early pregnancy.

Is it normal for a girl to pass out white discharge even when she has never had sex? Akumu B, 13, P7, Child Jesus PS, Moroto Akumu, It is normal for a girl to have a clear white discharge even when she is a virgin. Always wash the vagina to keep good hygiene. Do not use any soap. The body has a way of cleaning itself in this area. But if the discharge becomes itchy, smelly or milky, see a doctor or health worker for medical advice. I have a boyfreind with whom we read books, he tells me he wants to marry me, what can I do? Kyarisiima P, 15, P7, Kyangwe PS, Masaka Are you ready to get married? Is your friendship about books or marriage? You should know what you want and consentrate on that. At 15 you are too young to marry. Talk to him that education is important for both of you and should come first. Marriage can come later when you have become adults and finished school. Keep up the spirit of reading. Why do girls sometimes miss their menstruation? Rac-iu D, 14, P7, Pulum Alala PS, Nebbi When girls have just started to menstruate, their cycles are not yet stable/proper. As they grow older, they will stablize. This is caused by body hormones that determine how we grow. They differ from one person to another. Faith Falal Rubanga, Counselor, Straight Talk Foundation.

Dictionarynces

Hor mo nes : sub sta that help the body to grow Pubic Hair: Hai r aro und private parts

STRAIGHT TALK FOUNDATION

Publisher: Plot 4, Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P. O. Box 22366, Tel: (0312) 262030/1,041 530008 Kampala (U), Fax: 534858, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], Director: C. Watson, Deputy Director: T. Agutu, Editorial Manager: E. Kimuli, Editors: G. Awekofua, M. Akello, J.Abongowath, D.Agaba, Designers:Gb. Mukasa M. eB. Kalanzi, Printer: The New Vision. Young Talk is funded by DANIDA, DFID, Ireland Aid & SIDA.

Members of Maganjo SDA PS Young Talk Club in Wakiso. They say; "The power of staying safe is got from reading Young Talk"

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