STF-AR-2014

* Creating a community of champions
* Inspiring young People
* Fostering Innovation
2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
EMPOWERING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLEDesign: Michael Bunnya Kalanzi (MeBK)
STFVALUES:
Team work:
We value the synergy brought about
by team work. We seek to broaden
our collaborations across sectors as
a means of increasing efficacy of our
work and services.
Young people Centered:
We place young people at the center
of our interventions.
Excellence:
STF values high quality standards
in the work that it does. We ensure
that our work embeds creativity and
innovation.
Gender sensitivity:
We value diversity as a spice of life.
We proactively seek to ensure that
gender disparities do not place young
people at risk.
Sustainable Development:
We place young people and their
communities at the center of
sustainable development in Uganda.
OUR MISSION:
The mission of Straight Talk Foundation is
to improve the sexual and reproductive
health and wellbeing of young people
principally through advocacy, evidence
driven communication initiatives and the
provision of youth Friendly services
Plot 4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo,
PO Box 22366 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (256 312) 262030, 262031 Fax: (256 414) 534858,
Email: info@straighttalkfoundation.org
Website: www.straighttalkfoundation.org
www.scribd.com/Straighttalkfoundation
facebook.com/pages/Straight-Talk-Foundation (STF)
facebook.com/The Straight Talk Radio Show (English)
facebook.com/My World, My Life
facebook.com/Youth Today
facebook.com/Twogere Lwatu Radio Show (Lusoga)
facebook.com/Twogere Kaati Radio Show (Luganda)
facebook.com/Tusheeshuure Radio Show (2Rs)
facebook.com/EKIYAH NGOLO REHRRE Radio Show (K’jong)
facebook.com/LEBTHUR JO ABWOR Radio Show (Lebthur)
facebook.com/ERIKANIA OKWEHEHE Radio Show (Lukhonzo)
facebook.com/Ngolyon nyo chirpap STF (Pokot)
facebook.com/Kuliya Na Tayi Ebonga Ebonga Radio Show (Kakwa)
https://twitter.com/STFUganda
https://twitter.com/@myworld_mylyf
OURVISION:
Straight Talk Foundation envisions
a world in which young people
have access to Sexual Reproductive
Health Services and Rights and live
healthy and productive lives

Empowering young people
C
ommunication for development has emerged as a frontier whose goal is to use communication processes,
techniques and media to facilitate social, economic and technological development. STF uses communication
for development to promote the use of communication processes, techniques and media to empower young
people in their own context-specific development, and create the capacity for social dialogue. STF work is delivered to
several in and out of school young people from diverse backgrounds, including their teachers, parents and caregivers.
In over 20 years; millions of young people have been beneficiaries of STF programs delivered through media; outreach
and youth friendly service delivery addressing the following important aspects:
• Access to health information: This is supported through STF communication programs delivered through several
channels including interpersonal communication to address SRH challenges of young people. STF dialogues
provide HIV prevention and SRHR information through one on one and group discussions. Additionally IEC
materials such as Radio programmes, Straight Talk and Young Talk newspapers are used to augment interpersonal
communication with beneficiaries.
• Health service delivery: To date; STF operates 4 youth centers that offer safe spaces for young people to seek
numerous services in a youth friendly environment.
• Livelihoods: STF programs in several districts address empowerment of young people by equipping them with
knowledge and skills to enable them break out of the cycle of dependency and become reliant through life skills
development.
• Creating supportive environments for youth
empowerment: This is achieved through
establishment of Straight Talk and Young Talk
Clubs in communities, secondary and primary
schools. Clubs formed include; PWDs clubs,
writers clubs, drama and football clubs. The clubs
established provide information and social support
to young people.
Board of DIRECTORS
Chair: Aggrey David
Kibenge, Under
Secretary, Office of the
Prime Minister
Robby Muhumuza,
Management and
Communications
Consultant, Unicef
Vice Chair: Anne Akia
Fiedler, Chief of Party,
Communication for
Healthy Communities
Dr Frank Kaharuza,
Makerere University,
School of Public Health
Justina Kihika
Stroh, Independent
Consultant
Francis Mondo
Kyateka, Assistant
Commissioner for
Youth, MoGLSD
Olivia Muhumuza,
School Health Reading
Program
8th floor Communications House,
1 Colville St, PO Box 22490 Kampala
Phone: +(256) 414 232733 / 344172,
Fax: +(256) 414 254 721
Email:partners@lexuganda.com
Website: www.lexuganda.comSusan Ajok, STF
Executive Director,
Ex Officio
AUDITORS:
CertifiedPublicAccountants,
Plot: 77 Buganda Road, PO Box 27917 Kampala,
Phone: 0414 255453, Fax: 0414 257592
Email:kisaka@africaonline.co.ug, kisaka@utlonline.co.ug,
Website: www.kisakacpa.ug
Emmanuel Meta
Aloro, Company
Secretary
STF Management
Caroline Anyango,
Head of Finance and
Administration
David Talima,
Programme Director
Anne Namakula,
Resource Mobilisation
Specialist

TABLE of CONTENTS
ANC AnteNatalCare
AJYC AdjumaniYouthCenter
ART AntiRetroviralTreatment
AVID AustralianVolunteersforInternational
Development
BATU BritishAmericanTobaccoUganda
BCC BehaviourChangeCommunication
CBO CommunityBasedOrganization
CSO CivilSocietyOrganization
CSE ComprehensiveSexualityEducation
CSF CivilSocietyFund
CSW CommercialSexWorker
DEO DistrictEducationOfficer
DHO DistrictHealthOfficer
FGD FocusGroupDiscussion
FGM FemaleGenitalMutilation
GREAT GenderRolesEqualityandTransformation
ABBREVIATIONS
GYC GuluYouthCenter
HCT HIVCounselingandTesting
ICT InformationCommunicationandTechnology
IGA IncomeGeneratingActivities
JJ JuniorJournalist
KYC KitgumYouthCenter
MWML MyWorld,MyLife
MoESTS MinistryofEducation,Sports,Technology
andSports
MOU MemorandumofUnderstanding
NGO NonGovernmentalOrganization
NYC NwoyaYouthCenter
PEP PostExposureProphylaxis
PS PrimarySchool
PTA ParentTeacherAssociation
PWDs PersonsWithDisabilities
R&E ResearchandEvaluation
SGBV SexualandGenderBasedViolence
SFF SegalFamilyFoundation
SMS ShortMessageService
SRH SexualReproductiveHealth
STI SexuallyTransmittedInfection
SS SecondarySchool
STF StraightTalkFoundation
UGX UgandaShilling
UNESCO UnitedNationsEducational,Scientificand
CulturalOrganization
UNDP UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram
UNFPA UnitedNationsPopulationFund
YFS YouthFriendlyServices
UNICEF UnitedNationsChildren’sFund
VHT VillageHealthTeam
VTI VocationalTrainingInstitution
4RS Runyankore/Rukiga/Runyoro/Rutooro
Mass Media
To date; STF has consistently used mass media to reach its target
audience with life changing information to influence behavior
change delivered through radio, print and social media.
Finance and Administration
By the end of 2014, STF had 116 full time staff and 13 volunteers both
at its Kampala and field offices. STF funding portfolio is supported by
resources from several development partners.
Research and Evaluation
The R&E department assesses daily activities, projects
and programs through systematic collection of data and
objective analysis of evidence gathered.
Livelihoods & Environment
STF worked with several partners on its livelihoods and environment
initiatives implemented among schools and communities.
Focus on Karamoja
STF has worked in partnership with UNICEF since its inception
in 1993 on programs to improve the living conditions of young
people and women in Karamoja.
Youth friendly service delivery
STF youth friendly services seek to ensure that a wide range of SRH
services that offer young people choice are available to them.
Outreach,Training &
Development
STF interpersonal communication programs
6
38
33
29
16
27
22
Mass Media
Finance and Administration
Research and Evaluation
Livelihoods & Environment
Focus on Karamoja
Youth friendly service delivery
Outreach,Training &
Development

2 STF 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Increasingly, we are putting more energy behind
enhancing comprehensive sexuality education for
young people in Uganda, consolidating our footprint
in schools through work with teachers and parents.
It has been another rewarding year at STF. We
continue to address the barriers to help young people
in Uganda achieve their full potential including
serving all categories of young people to be successful
in their adulthood. In this Annual Report, we
highlight the strides we’ve made in key areas relevant
to achieving our mission: education, training and
raising awareness of the value of meaningfully
involving people with developmental disabilities in
our programs.
Our efforts towards enhancing youth livelihoods have
been phenomenal as driven by our programs with
youth drawn from Straight Talk clubs, community
groups and working in partnership with several
partners. Among schools and commuities, individuals
and households have greatly appreciated the
importance of conserving biodiversity and protecting
the environment for future generations.
Financial sustainability: Our financial position
continued to improve. We embarked on aggressive
resource mobilization to support our strategic plan.
We also achieved a significant increase in incomes
from partnerships with various actors from civil
society and the private sector. Additionally, STF
continues to build unique partnerships resulting in
new services and resources for its programs.
This report owes a deep debt of gratitude to partners
who have continued to support and believe in STF.
We applaud young people across Uganda who have
actively participated in our programs by generously
sharing their time, perspectives and ideas.
Thank you. Without you there would be no STF.
Susan Ajok
Executive Director
Message from the
W
eelcome to our 2014 annual report.
Working with young people in Uganda, our
strategy is to proactively deliver programs
that directly address the needs of young people. In the
past year, we continued to make positive strides towards
achieving our organization objectives. STF reached
millions of individuals with its services and programs in
schools and communities
In Uganda, the HIV epidemic has been widespread;
however certain groups such as Most at Risk
Populations have a higher than average risk of acquiring
HIV than others. In this regard, STF HIV prevention
programs in 2014 targeted fishing communities,
commercial sex workers, long distance truck drivers,
commercial sex workers and people in uniformed
services.
Executive Director

STF 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
3
Foreword from
Board
Chair
O
ur Board is privileged to serve one of the oldest
young people focused NGOs in Uganda
Since establishment STF has nurtured several
generations of young people in Uganda. Many have
stayed in our communities and continue to be significant
contributors and champions of STF.
It is therefore vital that we continue designing innovative
programs to engage with the young people of this country
so that we can gain a deeper understanding of the
conditions they face and ensure that the programs we
develop are relevant to their needs.
STF’s successes are the direct result of the support,
commitment and enthusiasm of the community we have
created. Together, we are putting STF in a position to
thrive as a leader and change-maker in the youth program
sector during the next three to five years and beyond.
I wish to thank the entire Board of Directors and the
Management team for their energy and creativity, as
well as our staff and volunteers for their passion and
dedication. And of course to the many individuals and
families who trust us to help them work towards young
people’s goals and dreams.
My colleagues, Members of the Board of STF have
given their best through their guidance, oversight and
leadership. I thank the selfless team of STF who have been
at the forefront of fulfilling STF’s mission of improving
the Sexual and Reproductive Health of young people in
Uganda and securing their future.

Thank you to all the young people, Partners, Government
of Uganda and community supporters. Your contributions
have been phenomenal and have created a wonderful
reputation for Straight Talk Foundation that we will
treasure and protect.
Aggrey David Kibenge
Board Chair, STF

S
traight Talk Foundation (STF) is an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization established in 1997,
having existed as a newspaper in 1993. The mandate of STF is to deliver programs to improve the health
and wellbeing of young people in Uganda. STF has been a key actor in youth programming on Sexual
and Reproductive Health and Rights, Livelihoods and Environment and Youth friendly service delivery. STF
programming is hinged on the following pillars.
Communication for
development:
This has been at the core of STF since
establishment. Through this, STF develops and
disseminates diverse communication materials
to target several audiences. To date STF has
worked through print, radio, social media and
interpersonal communication. Our communication
experience has enabled us address a range of health
and development topics.
Partnerships and
collaborations:
STF recognizes that on its own, it cannot meet all
young people’s needs; making partnerships very
important in its work. We collaborate on various
programs with partners with similar programming
interests and they are drawn from government,
civil society, academia and the private sector.
Youth friendly
service delivery:
Whereas the core business of STF is communication for
social change, we recognize that information dissemination
should be backed by service delivery for young people.
Enhancing livelihoods:
Livelihoods and environmental programming is promoted
as crucial in empowering young people in Uganda to
improve their lives and wellbeing. This is mainstreamed
across all STF programs with a focus on development of
young people’s capacity to establish livelihoods that can
in turn help them afford & sustain healthy and health
seeking lifestyles.
Research and Evaluation: R&E
plays a critical role in generating new information relevant
to STF programming. R&E assesses progress towards the
achievement of organization goals; through a systematic
collection of data and objective analysis of evidence
gathered. Research is essential in supporting organization
learning across the breadth of STF programming.
About Straight Talk
Foundation

5
Straight Talk Awards
Tumaini Award
The fourth Tumaini Awards were held under the theme “A Child Friendly, Free, Quality and Compulsory
Education for all Children.” Tumaini recognized individuals and corporate organizations that have
contributed to Health in schools, Quality of Education, Livelihoods and Child Protection. STF was
recognized among the finalists in the livelihoods category for its Farm Talk initiative specifically its
contribution towards enhancing livelihoods of children in post conflict northern Uganda. STF received a
cash award of 1,500,000 UGX and a Certificate of Recognition from Tumaini Awards organizers.
On 18th October 2014, STF received the
Kadanke Youth Community Service Award
for excellent service towards young people
at Kati Kati Grounds by Kadanke Brand
House. The award recognised STF for
its innovative efforts in reaching young
people through ICT to disseminate SRH
information across the country. STF
emerged the best out of 10 nominees from
this category.
Kadanke Community Service Award
Engaging the private sector
STF and Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) entered a collaboration in November 2014 to
kick start phase II of the ‘Red Card to Underage Drinking Campaign’. The purpose of this
campaign is to promote a culture where underage consumption of alcohol is considered a
taboo. “Underage drinkers normally don’t finish education and end up not becoming responsible
people.” Nyimpini Mabunda. Uganda Breweries Limited Managing Director said. Phase 2
of the campaign is being implemented in 100 schools across 8 districts.

Mass Media
T
o date; STF has consistently used mass media to reach its target audience with life
changing information to influence behavior change delivered through radio, print and
social media. At STF mass media is an integral part of our long-term plans. The use
of mass media has been critical in shaping the organization’s change and growth to date.
Our mass media messages resonate well with young people because they are driven by young people’s
needs and are delivered by young role models. STF mass media interventions have been key in
influencing young people’s perception of social norms which in turn have supported people’s efforts
to change behavior.

7
PRINT
Straight Talk newspaper: Four issues were produced and
distributed to secondary schools targeting adolescents
aged 15 to 19 years. Topics addressed include: Change
without hurting, HIV related Cancers, Teenage pregnancy
and Life at the borders. Throughout the year 800,000
copies of Straight Talk were produced and distributed.
Young Talk newspaper: Four issues were produced
and distributed. The themes handled were: Believe in
yourself, Gifts a major cause of defilement, Menstruation,
Living safely at the border. In total 1,460,000 copies
were produced and distributed to primary schools
targeting 10-14 year old adolescents as follows:
CBOs 1064
COU 462
Health Centres 833
NGOs 506
Secondary Schools 2405
Straight Talk Clubs 442
Young Talk Clubs 54
Radio Stations 48
Baptist Churches 44
Catholic Churches 75
Primary Schools 9401
Straight Talk and Young Talk Braille: STF produced two
issues each of Straight Talk and Young Talk Braille. In
producing these; intellectual input was sought from
children with visual impairment.
Young Talk addressed Menstruation, Beware of gifts you have not
worked for (issue 2) while Straight Talk addressed Living healthy
and strong with HIV (issue 1 Understanding HIV and Safe
Male Circumcision. Each issue of Young Talk and Straight
Talk Braille had a printrun of180 copies and was
distributed as follows:
Institutions No. #copies Total
Primary Schools 49 4 196
Associations 51 2 102
Office use 1 62 62
TOTAL 360
Secondary School 11 10 110
Associations 51 4 204
Office use 1 46 46
TOTAL 360
Calendars: STF produced and distributed a calendar
with a print run of 300,000 copies. This calendar
featured messages addressed to young people such as
goal setting, avoiding bad company, alcohol and drugs.
Ugandan language
Publications: Two issues were
produced and distributed. They
focused on Making pregnancy
safer and Understanding Most at
Risk Populations.
Straight Talk in Ugandan
languages were produced in four
languages namely: Ateso, Luo,
Runyakitara and Luganda.
Buli wamu mu nsi yonna, okuzaala omwana libeera ssanyu, y’ensonga lwaki
ba maama n’abaana baabwe baweebwa ebirabo, balambulwa n’okusabirwa
emikisa.
Twogere
Kaati
Vol. 11 No. 1 2014
Okulumwa ennyo omutwe
Okulumwa mu
ndira
Okwesika Okuvaamu omusaayi Okuzimba ebigere
Wuliriza pulogulaamu Twogere
Kaati ne Brenda Nakimbugwe ku
leediyo CBS FM ku Lwomukaaga
ssaawa 9:30 ez’olweggulo ne
ku Emmambya FM ssaawa 1:30
ey’akawungeezi buli Lwakutaano.
Zawedde Godin n’omwamiwe Moses Afrishmana bazze bombi
okulaba omusawo ku Kisugu Health Centre. Kikulu abaami
okuwerekera abakyala okunywa eddagala nga bali mbuto.
Obubonero obubi
ng’oli lubuto
Embuto ezimu ziyinza okuba ez’obuzibu, naye kino okirabira
ku bubonero bw’ofuna. Bw’olaba akamu ku bubonero
buno, oba obubonero bwonna wammanga, ddukirawo ku
ddwaaliro erikuli okumpi;
Namirembe
Hajara,
avunaanyizibwa ku
kitongole ky’abembuto
mu ddwaaliro e Naguru
agamba nti, “Kisobokera
ddala buli mukyala okuloza
ku ssanyu ly’okuzaala
omwana omulamu nga
bagoberera amateeka
agasookerwako, omuli
okugenda okunywa
eddagala n’okukeberebwa
okukakasa nti omwana ali
mu lubuto ali mu mbeera
nnungi wamu ne nnyina.
R
achel Nalunga
ng’abeera Wakiso
Town Council agamba nti “Mu
Buganda, abaana batunuulirwa
ng’omukisa. Amaka tegasobola
kubeera majjuvu nga temuli
baana. Kituufu wasobola
okubaawo amaka ne gatafuna
mukisa gwa kuzaala baana. Eno
y’ensonga enkulu lwaki tuwa
abaana abazaaliddwa ebirabo
okubaaniriza mu bulamu bw’ensi
eno. “
Joseph Luswata ow’e Nakawa muKampala agamba nti, “Nze ne mukyalawange twalwawo okuzaala, kumpi emyaka etaanobukya tufumbiriganwa. Obufumbo kata busasikewabula omusumba wange n’angumya nnindeko.Oluvannyuma twafuna omwana, kyokka yafa mukuzaalibwa. Omusawo yagamba nti twalwawookugenda mu ddwaaliro omwana n’akoowa.Oluvannyuma lw’emyaka ebiri, twazaala omwanaomuwala, era ali mu mbeera nnungi kubangatwagoberera amagezi g’omusawo.”
Eky’amazima kiri nti, abaana mukisa
nnyo eri amaka era okuzaalibwa
kwabwe kulaga nkulaakulana na
kisa kya Katonda. Naye tujjukire
nti, waliwo abakyala nkumi na
nkumi abataloza nga ku ssanyu
lya kuzaala baana bali mu mbeera
nnungi obulamu bwabwe bwonna.
Eri bano, okuzaala omwana si mukolo
gwa ssanyu, wabula kyekango ekiyinza
okuvaamu okufa kw’omuzadde,
okw’omwana, oba bombi.
Keeping Adolescents Safe

• ST Calendar 2014
• ST February -
Change without hurting
• ST April - June: HIV and Cancer
• ST July - August:
Teenage pregnancy
• ST August - Life at the Border
SEX
HIV BASICS
Are you are in a sexual relationship
or considering one? It is important
to first find out your HIV status
and that of your partner. You and
you sexual partner might have
been infected with HIV from your
mothers. If you are HIV negative,
protect yourself by abstaining
from sex or using condoms correctly
every time you have sex. If you are HIV
positive, don’t lose hope. HIV positive status
does not mean end of life. There is care and
treatment to live a meaningful and productive
life. If one of you has HIV and the other
does not have, seek support from a health
facility. Read more on page 3. Nassir Musoke,
Prevention Manger, AIDS Information Centre
Keeping Adolescents Safe
Vol. 22 No. 1 Feb-March 2015
What is it to you?
SEX
Phiona Mutesi 19, is ranked a Woman
Candidate Master in chess by the World
Chess Federation. She discovered chess at
nine when her family was going through
hardships and she was
begging for food.
Mutesi, whose father died of
AIDS says, “The chess pieces
looked attractive but I didn’t
want to learn the game. That time
I just wanted a cup of porridge.”
She kept going to the chess
programme, but only for the free
meal. “That’s when I got interested
in chess because it involves planning," she says.
Named a Woman Candidate Master, the
bottom-ranking title given by FIDE, the World
Chess Federation, Mutesi has become an inspiration to
people all over the world. Disney Films is preparing to start
the filming of ‘Queen Of Katwe’ movie.
The movie tells Mutesi's journey from the slums to the
World Chess Olympiad with the help of her
coach Robert Katende. It will be shot in South
Africa and Uganda. The film is directed by Mira
Nair of Maisha Film Lab. According sources,
Lupita Nyong’o, the US-based Kenyan actress
will portray Phiona’s mother, Harriet Mutesi
alongside Nigerian actor David Oyelowo, who
will portray Phiona Mutesi’s coach Robert
Kakande.
“
I never believed I’d become an
inspiration to other people,” says
Mutesi. “I was only thinking of
how to get something to eat. But now I've hope of
becoming a grandmaster.
From slum life to Disney film
Nabwire Annet, Luma Eastern College,
Busia asked "Why do young people
separate after having sex?
Straight Talk sought for answers to Annet and
others who have questions about sex.
Jamil Busulwa, 16, S3, Kololo SSS,
Kampala says: "Most times young people are just
adventuring; trying to explore and experience how
sex feels. Some have sex because of peer pressure;
they want to fit in a group and prove a point. In
the end, most discover what they want in life and
realize that early sex may make them not achieve
their life goals. So they separate to concentrate on
more important things.
Flavia Aloyo, 24, a Volunteer at Gulu
Youth Centre says: "Sex is beautiful; a gift from
God. It's an ultimate choice and every choice has
got the consequences. If not done at the right
time, with the right person, for the right reason,
it has consequences on your education, health,
relationship with your parents and your future
goals. Friends ask me often, "How will you know
that sex is good if you don't practice it?" I tell
them, "If we don't get it right the first time, We'll
do it again and again until we get it right."
Why should you mind about sex?
The bureau of statistics states that One in
every 4 girls in Uganda, is already a mother or
pregnant with her first child. Besides, one in
every 7 new HIV infections occurs in young
people.
According to AIDS Information Centre, girls
aged 15 to 24 are more infected than boys.
Majority of young people are getting infected through
unprotected sex with people whose HIV status they do
not know.
Maybe it is time you reflected on these figures and your
life choices and begin asking, "what is it I really want in
life and how do I want to be perceived?" "Do I really
want to get pregnant, disease or re infected with a worse
strain of HIV?" "Why am I in school?" If I stopped here,
what could happen? What could I be doing now that
might make me not achieve my future goals?
Quiz:
How do students sneak
alcohol into school? What
can be done to stop students
from sneaking alcohol into
school? Write an essay of not
less than 500 words and send
to Straight Talk PO Box 22366,
Kampala. Best essay will win
a new Laptop. First and
second runner ups
win tablets.
Talk about sexWhether you choose to havesex or not, it is important totalk about it with your partnerbefore you are in the heat of themoment. Having conversationsabout sex can be difficult orembarrassing, but if you areconfident about your facts andable to express openly howyou feel, it should be easy. Getinformed and think through whatfeels right for you. When you areclear about your own feelings, itwill be easier to communicatethem to someone else.Remember having a plan meansbeing prepared before you are inthe moment. Elizabeth Okello,Mildmay Uganda
“
LISTEN
Do you live in the
Acholi, Karamoja,
Rwenzori areas? Look
out for our new radio
programmes on Conflict
Sensitive Education
in Acholi, Rutooro,
Pokot, Nga'karamojong,
Lebthur and Lukhonzo.
Straight Talk at a glance 2014

9
Young Talk at a glance 2014
Vol 15, No 3 Oct - Dec 2014
No matter what time of the year it is, we’re always serious about health
Ampumuza
Life at the border can be fun but
also dangerous. The head teacher
of Kisaasa PS Kabale, Kyomukama
Habert says: “Prostitution, defilement,
absenteeism, abuse of alcohol and
drugs like marijuana are common. Some
businessmen and women use money to
trap children into sex.”
Janet Twesigomwe, clinical officer,
Kamuganguzi Health Centre III, Kabale
says: “HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Gonorrhea
are common. If 10 young people tested for
any of the above STDs, one of them will
I
t is a cold Wednesday morning.
Wearing green sweaters pupils
of Katuna PS Kabale rush to their
school at the top of the hill.
Below the hill is the busy Katuna
border town. Trucks waiting to cross
to Rwanda are parked. People are
selling and buying onions, irish
potatoes and alcohol.
In the background,
loud music plays.
There are several bars,
lodges, video hall and
restaurants. When the
night falls, some young
girls and women come
here to sell their bodies.
Last month, Young Talk journalists
visited Young Talkers in Katuna
Town Council, Kamwezi and
Kamuganguzi. They shared stories of
border life. Read on!
“
Nabasa Joshua,15, P7,
Katuna PS, says: “I love
Katuna. It has wonderful video
halls. Sometimes, I watch football
from vidoe halls. I wash people’s
vehicles and get money.”
have an STD. Girls as young as 15 years are
involved in commercial sex work.
Some of them come here to test for STDs or
get treatment.”
According to Uganda AIDS Commission, 570
Ugandan girls and young women aged 15 to
24 get infected with HIV every week. Most of
them have sex for money or gifts.This is sad.
Young Talkers:
• Avoid sex for money or gifts.
• Make money in a safer way
• If anyone asks for sex, run away and report
them to your parents, teachers or the LCs.
• Walk in a group to and from school.
Be in charge of your life
Living a
safe life in
a border
town
Free!
Not for saLe.
Young talk is
• Know your rights
• stay in school
• say no to sex
Doreen Kiconco,14, P6,
Katuna PS, says: “I hate
Katuna because of some
truck drivers who do not
respect children. There is one
who called me on my way
to school and pulled out
10,000/=. .He said I should
first go with him to the
lodge and enjoy life and
then get the money. I ran
away. I reported this man
to my sister. She advised
me not to get money from
strangers because some of
them are defilers.”
thank you Kiconco for running
away. such men are dangerous.
They can defile or kill you.
Pupils of Katuna PS say: “We live in a border town
but we never let defilers deceive us with gifts.
We are contented with the little we get from our
parents.”
Trucks parked at Katuna border
NO please
Have
some
money
Have a
MERRY X-MAS & A
HEALTHY 2015
• YT Feb-March:
Believe in yourself
• YT April-May: Gifts, a major
cause of defilement
• YT June-July:
Menstruation
• YT August-September:
Life at the border
Austin Bryan
Austin was a Canadian student volunteering
at The AIDs Support Organization (TASO)
Uganda in 2014. While at TASO, he saw
copies of Young Talk and Straight Talk.
“As a student of Graphic design, I was intrigued
by what STF was doing. I approached the
organisation to explore ways to have a hands
on experience working on STFs publications. I
worked on the issue on menstruation. Working
on this issue helped me understand some of
the many challenges young people in Uganda
experience while growing up.”
Free!
NOT FOR SALE.
Young Talk is
• Stay in school
• Say no to sex
Vol 15, No 1 Feb - March 2014
Happy new year
dear Young Talkers!
Make 2014 a year of
happiness. Thank you for
sending your letters to Young
Talk. In 2013, many of your
letters showed that many of
you have a lot of self-pity.
When you pity yourself, you
lose hope, confidence and
boldness.
For example Lokiru Paul,
Loiki PS in Kaabong says,
“My parents are poor. I have
problems paying my own
school fees and books. I’m
worried I may be sent away
from school because I don’t
have uniform. I am confused.
I am thinking of leaving
school.
Mugaba Esther, P7, Gayaza
COU PS has a similar problem.
She says,“My parents cannot
manage to pay my school
fees. I’m worried. What can I
do? Self-pity is when you think
about yourself negatively or
unable to do somethings.
Ronald Omara a teacher
says that self pity is caused
by different things such as
feeling that you can not
manage to do things, being
an orphan, having poor
parents or parents who do
not care. For others, it may be
because they admire other
children or because they live
Pupils of Atlas Model PS,
Kasese, always believe
in themselves
Girls commonly use
pads during menstruation
period. But most girls can
not afford pads because they
are expensive. Share with us
some of the other things
girls use during
menstruation instead
of pads. Send your
letters to
PO BOX 22366,
Kampala.
Believe
in yourself
QUIZQUIZ
I stay with my brother.
Whenever he goes to Kampala to
work, the wife asks me to sleep with her
at night. I fear to tell my brother about
it. What can I do? SS,
Busunga Preparatory PS, Bundibugyo
Advise SS
in homes where there is a lot
of violence.
Dangers of Self pity
Makes you unhappy
Makes you feel you cannot
do anything to change your
bad situation.
Stops you from being
creative and trying out new
things.
May put you at risk of getting
HIV, STDs and pregnancy
because some people you
expect help from may want
to have sex with you in
exchange for help.
Vol 15, No 2 April - June 2014
Advise
Gifts
a major
cause of
defilement
PEP can
save you
from HIVIf you are defiled or raped, there is
now medicine to protect you from
getting HIV if the defiler is infected.
It involves being put on antiretroviral
drugs (ARVs) after you have been
tested and found with no HIV.
This is called post exposure pro-
phylaxis (PEP). If you are defiled or
raped, rush to the hospital first so
that you are tested for HIV then
report the case to Police. PEP works
within 3 days after defilement.
Get it as soon as possible. PEP pre-
vents only those without HIV from get-
ting the virus. It is given to both boys
and girls. It does not cure HIV if you
already have the virus. Girls will also
be given emergency contraceptives
to stop pregnancy. Your health care
provider will advise you accordingly.
Dr Stephen Watiti, Mildmay Centre
G
reetings dear Young Talkers. It is always
good to hear from you! In April, Young
Talk Visited Bugiri and Busia. Young
Talkers shared stories of how defilers
use gifts to trap children into sex.
Read on:
Lovely eyes
Mutesi Shaminah,14, Hindocha
PS, Bugiri, says: ”Our neighbour
came home and told me that I
have lovely eyes. He gave me
1000/=. In the evening he came
back and asked me for sex.”
Chapattis
Guloba Isma, 14, P7, Busia
Border PS, says: “Some boys and
girls are lied to with chapatti and
later they are defiled.”
Many children are defiled because
of gifts. Defilement is a crime. The
2013 annual Police crime report
shows that defilement cases in Uganda
are on the increase. According to the
report, defilement cases increased from
8,076 in 2012 to 9,589 cases in 2013.
There is no gift worth your body.
Guard yourself well.
Both boys and girls can be defiled.
Defilement may expose you to:
• HIV/STDs
• Early pregnancies
• Dropping out of school
• Death
Free!
NOT FOR SALE.
Young Talk is
• Stay in school
• Say no to sex
Adyaka
A pupil of
Greens PS,
Busia says:
Focus on
education.
Say NO to
early sex
In our village, young
girls are being married
by young boys.
What advise would
you give these
children?

District Young Talk Total Straight Talk Total
Female Male Female Male
Abim - - - - - -
Adjumani 517 452 969 - - -
Apac - - - - 4 4
Arua - - - 7 4 11
Budaka 5 2 7 - - -
Buikwe - - - - 1 1
Bugiri 358 360 718 28 29 57
Bundibugyo 4 - 4 - - -
Bushenyi 2 1 3 3 1 4
Busia 303 333 636 - - -
Butaleja 62 71 133 49 45 94
Gulu 168 155 323 218 161 379
Iganga 41 17 58 - - -
Jinja - - - 73 42 115
Kabale 124 89 213 48 22 70
Kampala 1,729 1,512 3,241 1,036 870 1,906
Kapchorwa - - - 1 1
Kasese 17 13 30 57 52 109
Katakwi 123 87 210 - - -
Kibale - - - 1 1
Kitgum - - - 129 165 294
Kayunga - - - 87 71 158
Koboko 1 1 2 2 1 3
Lira 401 224 625 27 132 159
Luwero - - - 1 - 1
Masaka - - - 5 1 6
Mbale 1 - 1 - - -
Mbarara - - - 1 - 1
Mukono 439 346 785 53 28 81
Moroto 37 27 64 32 29 61
Nakapiripirit 11 13 24 - - -
Nebbi - - - 2 - 2
Nwoya 284 233 517 15 8 23
Pabbo 40 29 - - - -
Soroti 208 128 336 - - -
Tororo 4 4 8 4 3 7
Wakiso 472 427 724 486 416 902
Total 5,351 4, 528 9,875 2,365 2,085 4,450
Letters to print:
Feedback is important in
keeping STF abreast of the
thoughts and opinions of
its readers. STF received
a total of 14,325 letters.
9,875 were received from
Young Talk readers and the
common themes from the
letters were growth and
development. In total STF
received 4,450 letters from
readers of Straight Talk.
A certain friend of mine told
me that having sex can stop
painful menstruation. Is this
true? Mummy’s Care PS
Adjumani
Star districts from whom
STF received letters were
Katakwi and Adjumani.
This was in part enhanced
by STF reading tent
activities. In other areas;
letter writing from readers
was encouraged through
initiatives such as quiz
questions in Young Talk and
Straight Talk.
Reading Tents: In 2014, STF held reading tent activities with 50 schools drawn from
Katakwi, Kampala, Nwoya, Wakiso and Adjumani districts. The purpose of this activity
was for STF to offer support to learners in making better use of STF print materials
through face to face discussions on topics featured in Young Talk and Straight Talk
newspapers. Additionally STF obtained direct feedback from readers with whom they
interfaced.

11
Print materials produced in 2014
Publication Print runs
No of
issues
Total printed
Young Talk
430,000 + 430,000
+300,000 + 300,000
4 1,460,000
Straight Talk 250,000 + 250,000
+150,000 + 150,000
4 800,000
Young Life 50,000 2 100,000
Youth Today 20,000 2 40,000
Sports for Life 90,000 1 90,000
YEM Brochures 3750 8 30,000
YEM Posters 125 4 500
Tree Talk 200,000 2 400,000
Lok Atyer Kamaleng 40,000 2 80,000
Tusheeshuure 60,000 2 120,000
Twogere Kaati 60,000 2 120,000
Ener Eitena 40,000 1 40,000
Talking Points (Plan Uganda) 40,000 2 80,000
Sports for Life Talking Points 18,000 1 18,000

Radio programs broadcast summary
NO Radio show Language Broad
-casts Frequency Donor
1. Straight Talk Radio show English 7 Weekly CSF
2. Lok Atyer Kamaleng Luo 4 Weekly CSF
3. Tusheeshuure Runkakitara 8 Weekly CSF
4. Twogere Kaati Luganda 1 3 @ Month CSF
5. Twogere Lwaatu Lusoga 2 Weekly Rutgers
6. Kulie na Tayi Gbonga Gbonga Kakwa 2 Weekly Segal FF
7. Kulie lo Kuyongolo (PT) Kakwa 2 Weekly Segal FF
8. Erwori Angikaurunak Ngakarimojong 2 Weekly UNICEF
9. Twak Natir both lwak Lebthur 2 Weekly UNICEF
10 Ngolyon Nyo Chirpap Pokot 1 Weekly UNICEF
11 Ekiyan Ngolo Idiiri (ST) Ngakarimojong 2 Weekly UNICEF
12 Youth Today and Young Life Lusoga 2 Weekly Plan/Norad
13 Youth Today and Young Life Luo 2 Weekly Plan /Norad
14 JJ Live talk show Ngakarimojong 1 Monthly UNICEF
15 Youth Today Live Talk shows Luo 1 Monthly Plan
16 Youth Today Live Talk shows Lusoga 1 Monthly Plan
RADIO
STF has worked through
radio since 1999 and it has
expertise working in 17
languages. STF radio work is
inspired by a famous Nelson
Mandela quote that states: “When you speak to
an African man, he will listen to you but when
you use his mother tongue, he will understand
you”. STF currently broadcasts in 8 Ugandan
languages including English. Radio has been
successfully used by STF to tackle entrenched
harmful cultural practices and beliefs in
communities. In 2014, STF produced 592
radio programs with 1,911 radio broadcasts
on 32 radio stations. Programs addressed
topics such as HIV/AIDs prevention, STDs,
condom use, prevention of early unwanted
pregnancy, sexuality, relationships, puberty,
marriage, family planning, defilement, ART,
poverty, drugs and alcohol, financial literacy,
education, children and youth participation to
mention but a few.
Each STF radio program promoted health seeking
behavior by featuring health workers and resource
persons from NGOs offering diverse services. In
2014 the shows featured 221 resource persons
who included: 17 Doctors. 39 Counselors, 26
Midwives, 22 Nurses, 11 Clinical Officers, 13 Local
Council leaders, 38 Teachers, 4 Sub county chiefs,
3 Community Development Officers, 1 Parish
Chief, 1 Resident District Commissioner, 2 District
Education Officers, 19 Elders, 2 Police officers, 6
Head teachers, 3 District Health Officers 2 Youth
workers, 4 Project officers, 2 Nurses, 1 Town Clerk,
1 Member of Parliament, and the Commissioner Youth
affairs at the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social
Development.
FEEDBACK to Radio: This has been useful in providing
insights into the thoughts of listeners and to inform
programming. Such feedback is obtained through letters,
SMS, and Face book pages per language. These platforms
are used by STF to keep track of the programming needs
of STF target audience. During this period, the following
feedback was received across these platforms.

13
Letters received by language
No Language/ Show Male Female Unknown Total
1. English Straight Talk Radio Show 440 303 79 822
2. 2Rs Tusheshuure 1,500 1,000 - 2,500
3. Luo Lok atyer Kamaleng 462 331 - 793
4. Luganda Twogere Kaati 284 332 - 616
5. Lusoga Twogere Lwaatu 513 322 60 895
6 Kakwa Straight Talk 448 251 - 699
7. Kakwa Parent Talk 195 138 - 333
8. Nga Karimojong Straight Talk 651 221 - 836
9. Nga Karimojong Parent Talk 34 22 - 56
10. Pokot 140 100 - 240
11. Lebthur 186 366 - 552
TOTAL 4,853 3,386 139 8,342
A total for 8,329 (4,853 males 3,386 female) letters were received from listeners. Key issues among listeners include:
body changes (managing sexual feelings), myths about family planning, academics, relationships, fistula and HIV
prevention (including stigma and discrimination, safe medical circumcision, family planning side effects, early marriages,
alcohol abuse.) It was observed that most young people asked questions about relationships including growing concerns
about teachers asking for sex from pupils.
“I have a boyfriend who always
demands for sex, and I have been
deceiving him that till I finish Senior
four, I am not interested in sex, what
should I do”?, Naomi Loreyo of
Pokot Secodary School
SMS by language
Language
SMS
received
Luganda 475
English 413
2Rs 69
Lusoga 472
Ateso 316
Lukonzo 38
Luo 73
Kakwa ST 109
Kakwa PT 47
Ngakarimajong 11
Total 523
A close analysis of the SMSs
indicate that key concerns from
listeners include: Formation of a
Straight Talk Club, Having sex
in relationships, Masturbation,
What is Hepatitis B?, Can you get
infected with HIV if you are in
your periods? What are the signs of
pregnancy?, Could it be true that if
I have TB I may also be have HIV?

Face Book pages by language
No Face book Page Likes
People
engaged
Post
reach
MSGs
received
1. Straight Talk Radio show 3,788 2,820 70,710 259
2. Twogere Kaati 401 270 654 72
3. Tusheeshuure radio show 980 501 1,610 16
4. Lok atyer Radio show 989 999 6,203 15
5. Twogere Lwatu Straight Talk 98 79 571 27
6. Einer Eitena 281 128 532 19
7. Erikania okwenene 331 284 497 16
8. Ekiyan Ngolo Idiiri Show 560 499 763 29
9. Ngolyon Nyo Chirpap STF 128 190 209 12
10. Lebthur, Twak Natir Both Lwak 665 478 3,287 19
11. Kuliya Na Tayi Gbonga Gbonga 389 402 943 26
12. Kulie Lo Kayungolo Radio show 127 145 354 14
13. Youth Enterprise Model UNFPA 210 211 587 19
14. Youth Today 1,061 1,002 33,453 26
15. Straight Talk Foundation 1,953 205 31,860 135
Social media The advent of social media has propelled STF
into direct online conversations with young people. Overall STF
proactively reaches out by engaging young people in thematic
conversations on specific topics. STF online presence has been
critical in facilitating social and community participation through
enabling young people become part of STF broader conversations
across STF programs.
In 2014; STF online presence increased significantly through
Facebook. A total of 152,233 people were reached by posts as of
December 31st 2014. The likes from all STF accounts cumulatively
increased to 11,970 up from 5,138 in 2013. A total of 8213 people
were engaged from posts made across the 14 pages of the various
radio and project specific pages; Youth Enterprise Model and the
Children and Youth Participation program with Plan Uganda.
What do listeners say?
“Teenage pregnancy rates have also gone down.
For the last two terms we have not had any cases
compared to the time before STF started doing its
activities in Kamwezi Sub County”. Headteacher
Kamwezi H/S
“Without Lok atyer Kamaleng I would not have
reached secondary school and I am now very glad that
I am in senior two”. Oryema Bosco 16 of St Janan
Luwum SS.
Impacting behavior change
Our own research indicates that STF Behavior
Change Communication interventions play an
important role in providing linkage to services.
STF’s use of community participatory approaches
such as most significant change generates
information relating to improved behaviuor
outcomes. Youth in school for example report
to have read Young Talk, Straight Talk, thematic
calendars and attended SRH dialogues conducted
by STF and health facility personnel. It was also
noted that earlier interventions such as radio
programs are consistently mentioned as sources
of information. Reading of IEC materials and
attending SRH dialogues have contributed to the
adoption of safer sexual practices evidenced below:
“I have ever listened to ST radio program on Radio
Pacis (Tajokagbo-Madi radio programme) and
amongst the topics that were addressed was teenage
pregnancy. This has provided me with valuable
lessons, in terms of being aware of my body changes,
not engaging in unprotected sex, and learning how to
protect myself from early sex and pregnancy through

15
using condoms and abstaining. As an individual I
have learnt that I have a responsibility in staying
safe. Now I abstain from sex by keeping myself busy
like through sports and always say no to people who
ask for sex.” (Female, Adjumani Model SS STC)
Teachers trained report that they gained
knowledge on HIV/AIDS, STDs, Gender roles,
Contraceptives, Body changes and pregnancy in
schools. Trainings have contributed greatly to
building their capacity in disseminating SRH
messages to pupils as shared by a teacher below:
“As a P7 science teacher, handling various topics
is now easier e.g. adolescents, hygiene, sanitation,
body changes, HIV/AIDS, the training was
enriching and complements school syllabus.
Delivering sex education to learners is now easier,
in our culture sex education used not to be discussed
and fellow tribesmen feared saying certain words
but now it’s easier.” Patron Keyo PS Straight Talk
club Adjumani.
Meet Kim CZOSNEK from Australia
“My professional background is working within the commercial radio industry
in Australia but for the duration of 2014, I relocated to Uganda to work
alongside the Radio Team at STF. I worked with 12 journalists to develop
their skills in script writing and personal development. To help build on team
confidence an initiative called “Team Member of the Month’ was introduced, to give
every member a chance to receive recognition for their work at the end of the month, it
was successful in helping with team motivation. The Radio Team were committed and
inspired me everyday as they never gave up striving for excellence.”
The Radio Team were committed and worked hard to produce the best shows possible for
their audience and STF. They inspired me everyday as they never gave up striving for
excellence. Thank you STF for allowing me to be part of your wonderful foundation!

S
TF interpersonal communication programs are
delivered through its Training and Development
department.
In 2014 activities were implemented in the districts of Bugiri, Busia, Serere, Iganga,
Kampala, Wakiso, Kasese, Kabale, Nowya, Adjumani, Gulu and Kitgum while utilizing
peer education, dialogues, health talks among teachers, young people, parents and
marginalized groups. STF undertook the following activities.
Outreach,
Training &
Development

17
Peer education: This was used to address behavioral,
biomedical and structural drivers of HIV among commercial
sex workers, long distance truck drivers, uniformed persons,
young couples, out of school youth, fishing communities and
persons living with HIV. A total of 233 peer educators received
technical support to conduct BCC activities among these
population groups.
Engagement with cultural, political and religious
leaders: This took place in Kabale, Busia, Bugiri,
Kampala, Wakiso Adjumani, Kitgum and Nwoya districts
reaching 406 leaders.
Outreaches to primary and secondary schools:
Undertaken through dialogues, STF reached 126 primary
and 29 secondary schools. In total 37,786 (18,517 males,
19,269 females) young people were reached across
Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Nwoya, Adjumani,
Gulu, Iganga and Kitgum districts.
Work with learners with disability and special
needs: 84 outreaches targeting learners took place in
Adjumani, Gulu, Kitgum, Nwoya, Iganga, Soroti, Serere,
Katakwi, Bugiri Jinja and Busia districts reaching a
total of 4,037 (2,060 males, 1,977 females) learners with
disability with sexual reproductive health information.
Interventions targeted young people with various forms
of disability.
AVID provided financial and technical support towards
STF work in the districts of Lira and Kampala reaching 132
teachers, 2,394 young people and 218 parents.
Visits to institutions and community groups: These were
undertaken in response to invites from schools for health talks
and counseling in the districts of Nwoya, Gulu and Kitgum
reaching a total of 22,085 (10,913 females and 11,172 males)
with messages on SRH, Life skills and HIV/ AIDS messages.
Collaboration with Straight Talk Clubs: STF established
several in and out of school clubs to encourage members to
participate in addressing SRH and HIV prevention issues
among their peers in schools and communities.
Partnerships and collaborations
The Children and Youth participation
project: This is a joint collaboration with Plan
Uganda with activities implemented in Kamuli
and Lira districts. STF’s role has been to support
participation of children and youth in media
platforms.
Working with children and youth; STF
produced and distributed 2 issues each
of Young Life and 2 of Youth Today
magazines. In other areas, community
dialogues were held with 657 children
and youth with disabilities. STF utilized
debate and drama on disability and
importance of involving children and
youth with disability in their programs.
Among youth out of school, STF held 2
health fairs attended by 523 youth (270 males and 253 females).
The health fairs served as forums at community level for engaging
youth to learn from each other .
Beneficiary insights:
The collaboration has had tremendous impact among schools and
beneficiaries. Ms. Regina Akol a teacher and mentor at Busota
PS in Kamuli district testifies that there have been improvements
in student welfare and relationships between the school
management and parents. In Ms Akol’s opinion, the greatest
achievement is that children and youth have been empowered
to speak out about issues that concern them. The JJ trainings
conducted by STF enabled young people meaningfully address
issues in the school with their teachers, through platforms such
as the writer’s clubs, notice boards, suggestion boxes, student
councils (APEX). These have contributed to improvements in
student literacy and sense of responsibility. APEX has encouraged
peer counseling and guidance thereby increasing students’
empathy and compassion towards less fortunate peers.
Vol 1 No 3
Nov - Dec 2014
• Kamuli: Voice of Busoga, Saturday 6:00pm and Kamuli Broadcasting Service, Saturday 6:30pm.
• Lira/Alebtong: Rhino FM, Saturday 6:30pm and Radio Wa, Sunday 6:30 pmTune in:
D
o you have an Apex council
in your school? An Apex
Council is a pupils body meant
to help pupils work with the school
management, staff and parents to run
the affairs of the school.
Bugondha PS in Kamuli is one of
the schools with an Apex Council.
Wakabuno Zalaza, P7, says, “Council
members talk to other children to
find out problems that affect. They
share the problems with the school
management so that they are solved.”
M
alala Yousafzai,
17, the Pakistani
girl who was
shot by a Taliban gunman
for promoting girl child
education is the winner
of the 2014 Nobel peace prize.
A nobel peace prize is an award given to people who do wonderful things
that benefit people in the world. This prize has been given out every
year since 1901 by the Swedish and Norwegian Governments.
Malala has been promoting girls’ education since childhood. When she
was 11, she started writing about the Taliban who believe girls should
not go to school. On October 9, 2012, a gunman boarded her school bus
and shot Malala in the head because of promoting girl child education.
Malala did not give up. She continued struggling for the rights of
other children in the world. Malala is now in secondary. She attends
Edgbaston High School in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
She advises children to demand for their right to
education and stay in school. “Let us pick up our
books and our pens, they are the most powerful
weapons,” said Malala. Think about it! Malala is
a young girl. She is doing great work for other
children.
Represent the voice of the
pupils. This makes children feel
they are respected/listened to as
part of the school community.1
Malala wins
Nobel Prize
Children entertain
guests during the "Day
of the Girl Child"
celebrations in Kamuli
functions of Apex
Council
M
Opinions of the
pupils easily reach the
administration and are
respected.
Promotes peace in the school
by helping teachers and school
administration to lead the school
together with learners.
Promotes democracy in
school and its benefits will
later be felt in the entire
society.
Protects the rights of
children
3
4
5
2
Apex councils, The childrens' voice
What great things are you doing
in your community or school?QN:

Likewise the project has impacted on teachers as echoed by
Ms Regina Akol. “The project has helped to expose me in the
community and raised my profile. I have gained confidence in
counseling parents and can now facilitate the counseling sessions
in other schools.
The Youth Enterprise
Model (YEM) Project:
This is a three year
collaboration between STF and UNFPA delivered in
partnership with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU)
in districts of Kampala and Mubende primarily utilizing
capacity building for institutional delivery of SRH/FP, service
delivery in the targeted communities, behavior change
communication/IEC and advocacy among key stakeholders
for the successful integration of SRH/FP. In 2014, a major
output from the project was the development of the SRH
information and services packages and modules to support
integration of SRH in entrepreneurship and vocational
trainings programs. Key achievements in 2014 were:
a) Advocacy meetings held with
Ministry of Gender Labour
and Social Development, Bank
of Uganda, Uganda Private
Vocational Institutions, NGOs,
Ministry of Education, Science,
Technology & Sports (MoESTS),
Ministry of Health and Micro
Finance Institutions, VTI
administrators, owners and
governing bodies in Mubende
and Kampala to gain support
to integrate SRH and FP in
institutions of learning.
b) Support provided to 350 peer educators to conduct peer
education activities (Peer-to-peer talks, small group
discussions and community dialogues) reaching 4,188 youths
(2,088 females and 2,100 Males).
c) Four inter club debates in Kampala and Mubende districts
with eight VTIs for discourse on teenage pregnancy. A total of
1,039 students (471 males and 568 Females) participated.
d) Trainings conducted for youth enterprise and VTI peers and
instructors to equip participants with knowledge on the use
of packages and guidelines developed. 197 (108 male and 89
female) youth enterprise peers, 141 (58 male and 83 female)
VTI peers and 42 (25 males and 17 females) instructors were
trained.
e) RHU conducted a three day training for 27 health workers in
youth friendly service provision. The service providers were
also oriented on the SRH packages and guidelines.
f) Outreaches conducted by RHU among young people in
the VTIs and Youth Enterprises, to provide a range of SRH
services and information. A total of 7,438 (3,712 males and
3,726) young people were reached through these outreaches.
g) Health dialogues with youth in VTIs, parents and youth in
communities reaching 541 (325 males and 216 females) people
in communities, 652 (327 females and 325 males) young
people in VTIs and 103 parents (44 males and 59 females).
h) Equipping of 5 Health facilities in Mubende to provide youth
friendly SRH services. The facilities were supported with
furniture, games equipment and IEC materials to enhance
their capacity to deliver youth friendly services.
RHU

19
Addressing teenage pregnancy with
UNFPA. STF was supported by UNFPA
to roll out a campaign against Teenage
Pregnancy in 44 Primary and Secondary Schools in Iganga,
Mayuge and Butaleja districts reaching 14,930 (7,840
females, 7,090 males). A key focus was addressing factors
that predispose teenage girls to pregnancy. Held under
the theme “Let girls be girls”, key issues discussed include:
human development, myths, effects, prevention of teenage
pregnancies, available services and information for young
people.
Red Card Campaign against Underage
Drinking. In 2014, STF entered a joint
collaboration with Uganda Breweries Limited
to implement the Red Card Campaign to
discourage under age consumption of alcohol by raising
awareness about its dangers among young people. In
Uganda, alcohol abuse has been identified as a risk factor for
perpetuation of violence and one of the pre disposing factors
to HIV. Outreach visits took place to 20 schools in Kampala
and Gulu districts for dialogues with students. In each school
2 teachers were supported with knowledge and skills to
further engage with students. STF reached out to children
and youth in school and created awareness on the dangers of
underage drinking including all the associated risks.
The Sexual Reproductive Health and
Rights (SRHR) Alliance. Its goal is to
increase the uptake of SRHR services by
young people through facilitating access to information on
SRHR and increasing availability and access to quality Youth
Friendly Services through work with 12 partners. STF has
served as host to the alliance since 2011. STF implemented
the following interventions in 2014:
School Health camps: 4 of such camps were
conducted in Bugiri district with participation
from 18 schools. They were used as a platform
to lobby among parents and local leaders for the inclusion
of sexuality information in school curricula while creating
enabling environments for sexuality education. STF
established youth corners in 15 primary schools to serve as
a resource for information. It is anticipated that this shall
empower and inspire creativity through young people led
activities such as peer education and outreach.
ICT Knowledge Center
Established in Gulu and Bugiri districts
they were utilized through organized
learning groups to access the centers. 5 schools in Gulu and
10 in Bugiri benefited from Electronic and Mobile health
training sessions to equip young people with computer and
peer education skills. GYC served 842 through ICT training,
584 adolescents in school and 327 young people out of school
accessed the center for SRH information directly. A total
of 333 parents and 100 teachers participated in community
dialogues organized by GYC. In Bugiri district, 6920 young
people accessed the knowledge center supported by Youth
Efforts in the Fight against HIV/AIDS (YEFAAP) a CBO that
hosts the knowledge center on STF’s behalf.
Alliance week: As a member of the Alliance, STF participated
in activities to commemorate this event in Tororo district where it
conducted dialogues targeting young people in 20 schools reaching
12,000 young people with SRHR information.
Collaboration with American Jewish World
Service (AJWS): STF was contracted by AJWS
to provide tailored capacity building support to
five grassroots AJWS grantees. The focus of the
assignment is to enhance grantee technical competence in design
and delivery of SRHR programs for adolescent girls and young
women in northern Uganda. STF offered specific support in M&E,
data analysis and management, SRHR and CSE, advocacy and
lobbying for SRHR, documenting good practices, and participatory
approaches for SRHR.
In a separate grant from AJWS, STF’s Nwoya Youth Centre was
supported to run a program to enhance girls’ and young women’s
access to SRH information and services in Northern Uganda.
This was undertaken through STF static site, school-based clubs,
support to girls-only spaces, and community outreaches. In total,
STF served 2,564 youth out of school, 3,407 girls in school and
interfaced with 250 cultural, political and religious leaders and 124
teachers. The initiative was augmented by live radio broadcasts on
adolescent reproductive health.
WEI/Bantwana: The United States Department
of Labor (USDOL) supported, WEI/Bantwana in
partnership with, STF, UWESO and RECO industries
to implement “The Adolescent Youth Empowerment
and Development Initiative (AYEDI)”project. Its
focus is to reduce adolescent youth engagement in hazardous work
in four districts of Gulu, Lira, Bugiri and Iganga . In 2014, STF
supported the establishment of clubs, trained club patrons, peer
educators and developed an Occupational Health and Safety CD.

Support to teachers to deliver CSE:
STF trained 60 teachers from 20 schools
in Iganga and Bugiri districts to enhance
their capacities to deliver CSE. Teachers
developed plans to implement new CSE knowledge acquired in
their schools. As follow on initiatives in all target schools, teachers
mobilized pupils into learning groups to access CSE using the
MWML guide.
With technical support from the SRHR Alliance,
STF interfaced with 80 school heads in Bugiri
and Iganga districts to review commitments
made to support sexuality education in their
schools such as its inclusion in the district education school
monitoring tool. The head teachers affirmed their commitment to
support delivery of sexuality education among learners
Dialogues with parents and school management
committees. These were held among 856 parents from 10 schools
in Iganga district addressing the need for early CSE, parent’s role in
supporting sexuality education interventions in schools and raising
the profile of sexuality challenges faced by their children as key
decision makers in the schools.
MWML school exhibitions: STF supported 10 beneficiary
schools in Iganga to carry out SRHR exhibitions to showcase
achievements made by the MWML intervention in schools to key
stakeholders. Over 10,000 young people participated in the school
exhibitions.
District coordination meetings: These were conducted for
SRHR Alliance partners in Bugiri district to strengthen support for
various district SRHR interventions. A key outcome of this were
commitments made by partners to facilitate program monitoring
and strengthening advocacy for CSE in schools and YFS in health
facilities.
Enhancing youth leadership
through Straight Talk clubs:
STF collaborated with DUF to implement the last phase
of the Youth Leader exchange program. This was a result
of the senior Straight Talkers Model, a partnership
between Ungdomsringen and STF implemented by 4
youth leaders (2 Danes and 2 Ugandans). The initiative achieved:
• Development of “The Straight Talk Club Development Training
Guide” providing guidelines on establishing a junior club, a
senior club and training modules on financial literacy and
income generation.
• Training of 8 star clubs in Moroto, Busia, Nebbi, Kapchorwa,
Hoima, Arua, Soroti and Gulu districts. The clubs continue to
mentor and coach 20 peer clubs in their constituencies.
Capacity building:
Through a grant received from the CSF, STF provided capacity
building support to Former Seminarians Initaitives for Development,
Rukungiri Gender and Development Association, APSEDEC and
Health Alert. A key focus was to enhance organization capacities
in technical and financial management of the CSF grants. Through
structured learning and mentorship; the organizations received
support in M&E, risk management, strategic planning and Human
Resource Management.

21
International Collaborations
STF international collaborations with students and professional
volunteers continues to grow significantly.
Glasgow University: STF hosted 6 students from Glasgow
University Union (GUU) who visited 31 secondary schools to
work with students in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Kabale
reaching 3,005 boys and 3,698 girls. Activities such as these
boosted interface with adolescents and the school leadership. As a
result STF received 1569 letters from the students. Cross cultural
learning was achieved during the school visits in the two regions.
Sheffield University: STF hosted David Humphries (right back)
and Buya Jallow (with glasses ), graduate students of Sheffield
University. They conducted research as partial fulfillment of
their graduate degree requirements. Their research was useful
in informing STF programming. David conducted a qualitative
research that investigated the sexual and reproductive health needs
of youth living with HIV in both Kampala and Gulu.
I am very grateful to the organisation for their input and support
during this process, without which the research would not have been
possible. I was very impressed by the work of the organisation and
admired the compassion and professionalism of the organisation’s
staff both in the Kampala headquarters and in the field centres which
I was fortunate enough to visit. David Humphries
As part of my Masters programme at The University of Sheffield,
I spent six weeks on placement with STF at their head office in
Kampala. I am therefore extremely grateful to all the staff who were
incredibly welcoming and friendly and an absolute pleasure to work
with. I was able to develop great working relationships with members
of staff and other interns who I often socialized with after work and
during the weekends. Buya Jallow
Mount Holyoke: Ariel Hayat is a student majoring in
Anthropology with a focus in human rights, international
development, and globalization as a historical process. Working
in the Training and Development department, she assisted
in researching and developing education materials for club
programing on SRHR in addition to participating in-field
outreaches at primary and secondary schools.
My time in Uganda has been an incredible learning experience and a
privilege to work with STF employees and fellow interns. Ariel Hayat
Australian Red Cross: STF hosted Kim Czosnek and Alex
Long (right) both recruited through AVID. They worked on
several STF programs through provision of
technical expertise and supporting staff in
capacity development through mentorship and
training. They have been key to enhancing STF
capacity in working on unique areas such as
special needs and disability, child protection and media.
Thank you to Straight Talk Foundation for hosting me as a volunteer
and supporting me on this incredible adventure. Thank you to my
knowledgeable colleagues for your laughter and friendship, for
teaching me so many things about sexual and reproductive health
– as well as answering my endless questions! The work that you do
here in Uganda is so valuable and I am in awe of your dedication to
young people and their wellbeing. Alex Long

I
n 2014, STF worked with several partners on its livelihoods
and environment initiatives implemented among schools and
communities. Key projects and activities STF worked on include:
Livelihoods&
Environment
British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership (BATBP):
Spearheaded by the Tropical Biology Association, it is now in its 4th year, having previously been
implemented in tobacco growing areas in riverine tobacco growing communities of Western Uganda districts.
The project works to address sustainable management for biodiversity and ecosystem servises in leaf growing
communities. STF collaborated with Nature Uganda and BATU in tobacco growing areas in the mid-North
districts of Gulu, Apac Oyam and Kole. Key achievements from this project include:

23
Environmental mapping and update of project
beneficiaries: This was concluded in sites of Ngai in Oyam
district and Inomo in Apac district. Results from this exercise
will be used to produce land use maps.
Production and dissemination of Guidelines for
Biodiversity Conservation: STF collaborated with Nature
Uganda to produce 500 copies of guidelines on conservation of
biodiversity for distribution among extension workers, district/
local government staff, national partners, agribusinesses, Central
Government agencies, policy makers and key players in the
environment and natural resources sector.
Stakeholder engagement on laws and regulations
governing natural resource management
Meetings were organized targeting resource users in forest
reserves and wetlands. The major output from the wetland user
groups meeting was the formation of a seven member wetland
management committee responsible for demarcation of wetland
boundaries, monitoring and implementation of restoration
activities for the degraded wetlands.
Joint monitoring to enhance local government
stakeholders’ engagement: Undertaken with 15 government
officials in the project demonstration sites of Oyam, Kole
and Apac, this activity explored challenges affecting project
deliverables like using experience from district resource persons
from the environment and natural resources sector.
Restoration of 4 forest reserves: Opit
Central (28 Hectares) and Alito Local (10
Hectares) Forest Reserve have been restored
and planted. Over 15 hectares of Kulu-Obia
Central Forest reserve and 10 hectares in Iceme
Local Forest Reserve were planted yielding a
total of 60,670 seedlings of seven different tree
species.
Restoration of selected degraded
wetlands and establishment of resource
committees: STF collaborated with District
Environment Officers and Local Council
leaders to convene meetings with wetland user
groups for Okole and Tochi wetlands. One user
committee was formed for each wetland located
near areas where wetland degradation was most
pronounced.
Radio Talk Shows and Spot messages: 24 radio talk shows
addressing soil erosion control, wetland protection, sustainable
farming, agroforestry. Radio was used to run campaigns
against harmful practices like bush burning. A total of 600 spot
messages were aired.
Tree Talk Bulletin: Two issues
of the project bulletin were
produced and distributed. A total
of 60,000 copies were produced and
distributed. This was accompanied
by briefs on agriculture and
biodiversity conservation and were
distributed among 285 members of
parliament for policy action.
Training on energy saving
technologies: A total of 40 community members were
trained in the use of energy saving technologies. Already, 72
stoves have been constructed against a target of 60 stoves for
farmers enrolled by the project in 2014. More stoves are being
constructed as the communities adapt to the technology.
Danida-Integrated Natural
Resources Management (INRM)
The INRM approach considers managing resources sustainably
by supporting key stakeholders in accomplishing different
goals such as increasing production, enhancing food security,
creating value, maximizing profitability, minimizing risk,
building up and maintaining various natural resources and
other assets, and conserving the natural resource base. To
achieve these, STF undertook the following:
Training communities and schools on agro-forestry
practices: These were conducted among farmers and teachers.
Farmers were offered guidance and appropriate extension
services on management and maintenance of woodlots and
agri- business gardens.
D
id you know that many of Uganda's wetlands such as
Tochi (Gulu), Lubigi (Kampala) and others do not have
management plans? Do you also know that many of the
forest reserves in the country have management plans that
are out of date? Did you also know that those wetlands and
forest reserves with management plans are facing difficulties
in implementing the management plans?
A management plan basically guides a community on how
to use such resources in a sustainable way. For example,
how many trees one should cut or how much someone can
exploit a wetland. The lack of management plans or difficulty
in implementing them has brought about serious cases of
encroachment. According to the National Forest Authority,
forest reserves are loosing 90,000 hectares/every year. This
has left the leadership of the country baffled because we are
loosing our ecosystems. President Museveni recently said,
"we need to convince and negotiate with encroachers over
access and use of forest reserves and wetlands. Individual
households, too, need to plan to better ecosystems around
them".
Beatrice Okello in Bungu, Ngai, Oyam district is an example of
individual effort to improve the ecosystem around her. She has
planted broad leaved trees that have a number of environmental
services. Beatrice and family are supported by Tree Talk and
Nature Uganda to restore biodiversity on their garden. Many
households can emulate her example by planting trees.
Vol, 3 No, 1 May 2014
See the dirty water
in Tochi Wetland at
Bobi on Kamudini –
Gulu High Way. Many
of Uganda's wetlands
are like this and need
to be protected. They
need management
plans and should
have demarcated
boundaries to limit
human activity. They
play a big role in stabilizing ecosystems.
Special on ecosystem restoration in agricultural landscapes of Northern Uganda
Ecosystem restoration requires planning
Number stakeholders engaged on natural resource use
Meeting site Males Females Total
Kole-Alito (Forest
reserve)
33 12 45
Akaidebe (Wetlands) 53 17 70
Burkwoyo (Wetlands) 39 16 55
TOTAL 125 45 170

Training of Energy Service Providers (ESPs): Each project
district enrolled four people, giving a total of thirty two people
for the eight districts targeted by the project. The energy service
providers are expected to train colleagues at village level in
energy conservation and construction of energy saving stoves.
To date 191 energy cook stoves have been constructed by 32
ESPs (Adjumani-12, Agago-19, Pader-11, Nwoya-12, Gulu-25,
Lamwo -6, Kitgum-78, Amuru 28).
Working with communities to promote water
purification: 294 water filtration equipment (Tulip water filters)
were distributed to beneficiaries in eight districts to ensure safe
drinking water. The beneficiaries were trained on their use prior
to distribution.
Beneficiaries that received water purification tulips
District Males Females Total
Adjumani 34 13 47
Agago 24 11 35
Amuru 28 13 41
Gulu 21 10 31
Kitgum 26 7 33
Lamwo 20 9 29
Nwoya 24 11 35
Pader 28 15 43
Total 205 89 294

25
Maintaining tree nurseries: A total of 723,404 seedlings were raised in 2014.
The tableshows summary of seedlings raised per district in 2014.
Summary of seedlings raised from central nurseries.
District Gulu Amuru Lamwo Pader Agago Kitgum Nwoya Adjumani
# seedlings raised 112,458 73,226 44,430 99,012 0 86,945 166,459 140,874 723,404
NB: Pader and Agago districts share the same nursery and raise seedlings jointly.
Build capacity of communities and schools to engage in crop production
enterprises and establish commercial woodlots: This was achieved through
the promotion of intercropping, and instilling basic business skills among schools and
farming communities resulting in the establishment of several woodlots as follows:
Trees planted, number of woodlots established and the value of the standing trees
District Trees
planted
# woodlots
established
# Trees
surviving
Unit
price UGX
Amount
UGX
Gulu 111,831 127 83,873 700 58,711,100
Amuru 55,426 49 41,570 700 29,099,000
Lamwo 40,356 49 31,017 700 21,711,900
Pader 40,551 26 30,413 700 21,289,100
Agago 40,551 24 30,410 700 21,287,000
Kitgum 39,306 40 29,480 700 20,636,000
Nwoya 131,251 57 98,438 700 68,906,600
Adjumani 140,474 33 105,356 700 73,749,200
TOTAL 600,746 405 450,557 5,600 315,389,900
Vol. 13 No.1 April 2014
Bwobomanam & Nwoya PS take on agroforestry
U
ganda loses 90,000 hectares
every year, the National
Forestry Authority has
revealed . This is very worrying.
President Yoweri Museveni recently
put the blame on the National
Forestry Authority and Forestry
Departments at District Local
Government level, for not using
the powers given to them to guard
forests and advise communities.
If every body participated in planting
trees to restore what is being destroyed
at the moment, the situation would not
be out of control.
Tree planting should be an enjoyable
experience, if done creatively. There are
many opportunities to re green Uganda.
Lets look at some creative ways: Uganda
is a coffee producing country but there
are no large coffee farms such as those
we see for sugarcane, tea and bananas.
This means that coffee is produced
largely by small scale farmers. Coffee
farms are a great opportunity to plant
trees. There are also opportunities in re
greening through fruit tree growing. We
do not see many fruit trees but there are
enough fruits at harvest time.
In the same way, households can
dedicate a portion of their land to plant
trees. Cumulatively, this will have a
large impact in terms of restoring the
forest cover.
Because land is limited, inter-cropping
should be a must. By intercropping
trees with other crops, farmers are
able to look after the trees as well as
the crops. "Integrating crops with trees
provides an opportunity to produce
food (leading to food security) while
improving forest cover," says Andrew
Ogwang Oyango, District Vice
Chairman, Lira District.
Bob Kazungu, Forest Sector Support
Department believes that this will
improve household incomes for the
marginally poor communities.
You can also plant trees to secure the
boundary of your land. There are many
options, but the most important thing is
to have trees growing.
One of the challenges of tree growing
is survival of the planted trees. Many
farmers think trees do not have to be
weeded and can therefore grow on their
own. This is not true. Look after your
trees the same way you do other crops.
Intercropping with other crops offers
a good opportunity to manage your
trees well; while you weed the crops,
you will also be weeding the trees.
Tree Talk, with funding support from
the Royal Danish Embassy is working
with households in Northern Uganda
to creatively re green using these
approaches.
plant on boundaries, plant fruits, intercrop
Regreeningcreatively
B
wobomanam PS and Nwoya
PS have adopted tree growing
while intercropping with
agricultural crops. They say, this
is done to reduce the impact of
deforestation and impacts of climate
change during the dry season.
“We have a woodlot of Lusambya
(Markhamia lutea) which Tree Talk
helped us to plant. The trees are
surviving and we need more seedlings
to be planted at the beginning of the
second term," says, Omony Richard
one of the Tree Talk patrons at
Nwoya PS.
"Our parents have planted a woodlot
of pine for the school. In order to
manage the trees well, we grow crops
underneath, Komakech added.
When teachers, parents and the school
work together, it attracts more support.
Recently, Save the Children gave Nwoya
PS eight bee-hives which is a big
motivation to add to their effort.
However, schools have challenges such
Plant trees in the first rain
season if you want your
trees to survive well. Rain
in the second season is
unpredictable. Even if the
rains in the first season
becomes unpredictable, you
are rest assured, that there
will be rains in the second
season for your trees.
The power of a woman!
Women are playing a big role in
restoring forests in this country;
They are managers, advisors,
they raise seedlings in nurseries
but most importantly, women are
planting their own.
Time to plant
trees
PLANT NOW!
Markhamia and Eucalyptus. We recently
harvested eucalyptus to construct
teachers houses," says Onen George,
Deputy Headteadher, Bwobomanam.
“We involve the School Management
Committee (SMC) in the management
of the school garden. By doing this, the
SMC gave the school more land and
money to support the farming activities.
The parents also allowed their children
to get involved in the school farming
activities. This has helped us to
strengthen the Young Farmers Club
(YFC). We have also opened two acres
of land," George adds.
Last season, the school harvested
two sacks of beans and 200 kilograms
of maize with the leadership of the
YFC which bridges the leadership gap
between teachers and pupils.
as roaming animals, termites, over-
population and land wrangles which
affect tree planting and growing of
crops.
“For the limited land we have, we have
planted a mix of species: Grevillea,
Charles Ociti, 41 from Kal, Pabbo in Amuru shows off his woodlot
which is intercropped with maize
Pupils of St. Peters Bwobomanam
weeding their woodlot
Publish Tree Talk newspaper based on
themes on INRM: Two Tree Talk news
letters were produced and distributed to
over 5,000 schools in 36 districts to raise
awareness on tree growing, climate change
mitigation and farmer managed natural
regeneration (FMNR).

National level advocacy: Project activities featured in the Joint Sector
Review and Sector Performance Report of the Ministry of Water and
Environment, positioning STF as a model for tree planting in northern
Uganda. STF participated in World Forestry Day celebrations in various
districts. In collaboration with Oyam District Local Government, STF
held two (2) radio talk shows and ten (10) public announcements on
management of environment and natural resources to better investments
at district level.
STF is the lead agency coordinating the northern Uganda forum on
Energy and Natural Resources forum. (Below a picture of District
stakeholders from Acholi, Madi, Lango and Teso sub regions attending a
Natural Resources forum workshop in Gulu)
Collaboration with UNDP on restoration
of biodiversity within the agricultural
landscape among communities with
commercial agriculture: STF and the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP)/Global
Environment Facility (GEF)/Small Grants
Program (SGP) collaborated to implement
activities in the districts of Apac, Oyam, Kole
and Lira. The project is premised on restoration
of biodiversity within the agricultural landscape
among communities with commercial
agriculture enterprises such as tobacco,
sunflower and cotton. It is implemented in
Amach sub county in Lira, Kole, Oyam and Apac
districts. Key achievements from this project
include:
Establishment of tree nurseries: A tree
nursery with a carrying capacity of 200,000
seedlings per season was established raising
indigenous tree species. These include Meosopsis,
Markhamia lutea, Terminalia and Khaya spp.
Establishment of woodlots: Schools and
farmers received seedlings for the first planting
in April. These were beneficiaries from the sub
counties of Kamdini, Amach and Aboke and they
got Species of Pine, Maesopsis, Grevellia robusta,
Terminalia, Khaya spp, Eucalyptus grandis and
Markhamia lutea. Farmers were encouraged to
practice intercropping of traditional agricultural
crops with trees.

27
Focus on Karamoja
STF has worked in partnership with UNICEF since its
inception in 1993 on programs to improve the living
conditions of young people and women in Karamoja.
Among areas needing attention in Karamoja, health and
education are especially important for the child and adolescent
population. While the challenges associated with education—
low enrolment, completion & literacy rates, gender bias,
and inadequate vocational & skills training for alternative
livelihoods—require the improvement and expansion of
services & resources in Karamoja, they require the improvement
and expansion of access to information, knowledge, and
opportunities for dialogue & engagement for adolescents and
the adult gatekeepers and duty-bearers in their lives to ensure
that these services & resources are utilized.
STF implemented Sports For Life in Karamoja project from
2010 to July 2014. Its purpose was to keep children learning
by creating an enabling learning environment for children in
all learning spaces while increasing demand for services and
strengthening practices for the fulfillment of children’s rights.
During 2014, the following was achieved.
Junior Journalist (JJ) Program: STF used this as a platform
to engage youth in sustained dialogue about community
challenges and for them to make their voices heard.
Back in their communities JJs facilitated 192 community
dialogues enabling them generate discussions and engage
communities as agents of social change. A total of 11,326 (5,536
females, 5,790 males) were met across the region. Community
engagement through targeted dialogues provided community
access to information, promoted sharing of experiences, dreams,
aspirations, challenges and solutions.
JJs further engaged with fellow peers to establish clubs in
communities, participate in dialogues and focus group
discussions, as well as radio programs through participatory
means. Straight Talk Clubs were used for sensitization and
to ensure sustainability of program results.
Highlights from the community dialogues:
• Promoting education through role models: Young
people identified inspirational persons in their lives
such as teachers, parents, some civil servants.
• Income generating activities through groups and
clubs: The dialogues and discussions with the youth
and parents addressed the benefits of youth groups and
clubs in the communities.
• Effect of alcohol on education: Community
members mentioned that alcohol addiction contributes
to family problems such as laziness resulting in hunger

and violence. It was noted that alcohol drinking is also
responsible for the increasing rates of malnutrition among
children.
“My parents are addicted to alcohol. This has affected my
education. When I return from school I find no food. I have to
find ways of getting food for me and my siblings. My father and
mother always come home late and find us sleeping. They have
never come to school to see how me and my followers perform,”
said Monica, 15 years, Narengepak PS, Kaabong.
Live Radio Talk Shows: 6 shows held were moderated by
JJs while hosting experts in education, health and community
development. The shows raised awareness and created demand
for various services for children. They addressed topics such as
Go back to school, Hepatitis E prevention, Promoting education
through role models, Parent - child communication and, Income
generating activities through clubs and groups, education after
teenage pregnancy and effects of alcohol on education.
Feedback to the radio programs: The programs elicited
outpour of emotions from listeners as they shared opinions
about the challenges faced by parents in Karamoja. This was
received in the form of phone calls with the following comments
• “The cultures say that the girls at school become prostitutes.
This is becoming true because most girls are impregnated
in schools by either teachers or fellow students.” Loit from
Nabilatuk
• “The program has been so educative because it reminds young
girls that there is hope for education even though one got
pregnant.” Achia Afuza, Junior quarters
• “Why can’t the government strengthen the laws against alcohol
consumption by young children?” Longoli Kizito
• The Ministry of Education should take serious steps against the
drunkard teachers, because this affects the children directly,”
Lochode Abraham from Kotido.
Schools visits, distribution and dissemination
of IEC materials
In 2014, JJs and staff visited schools in the region to hold
discussions on the same topics for community dialogues in
Abim (4 schools), Moroto (4 schools), Nakapiripirit (4 schools)
Amudat (4 schools), Kaabong (4 schools), Napak (7 schools),
and Kotido (4 schools).
Engagement at district activities
At district level, STF participated in several district led
initiatives such as:
• Family Health Days for health workers,VHTS, partners and
stakeholders in health in Karamoja.
• Moroto district Budget Conferences to contribute to the
development efforts of the districts through joint planning,
implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Tepeth Cultural Day celebrations commemorated under the
theme:- FGM/C: A roadblock to the full realization of girl child
and women’s rights. Held by Moroto district in collaboration
with the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development
with support from UNICEF and UNFPA. STF enlisted
its commitment to contribute to total declaration and
abandonment of FGM/C practice in the region.
• Go back to school campaign meetings and community
dialogues to increase enrolment in rural schools.
• STF attended Moroto district monthly and quarterly
meetings on child protection.
Lessons learned
• Local leadership involvement was key in supporting STF
advocacy efforts as they made commitments to offer
continued support to mobilizing communities.
• STF programs spearheaded by young people were key
to promoting children’s rights as together with their
communities were continuously engaged to take action to
address community challenges.
• The JJ approach was key in enhancing youth access to
information (On health, education, youth development) and
strengthening community engagement at different levels.
• Dialogues were critical in enabling communities identify
solutions to the problems faced in light of development
initiatives in the region.

29
STF youth friendly services seek to ensure that a wide
range of SRH services that offer young people choice are
available to them, including:
• Sexual and reproductive health counselling
• Contraceptive counselling and provision
• Sexually transmitted infection (including HIV)
prevention, testing and counselling services
• Sexual abuse counselling
• Relationship and sexuality counselling
The above services are provided in an integrated manner
allowing for ease of access for young people and significant
involvement of young people in various aspects of STF youth
center services. STF operates 4 youth centers in Gulu, Kitgum,
Nwoya and Adjumani districts where they have been key
in promoting health seeking behavior in tandem with STF
Behavior Change Communication initiatives delivered through
mass media and interpersonal communication.
Among activities implemented; a key focus was on addressing
SRH and HIV prevention using combination prevention
approaches among all categories of young people including
MARPs (fisherfolks, out of school youth, adults in long term
Youth friendly
service delivery
relationships, CSWs) through work with local actors such
as public health facilities, sub-county leaders, VHTs, peer
educators with mobilization support from leadership structures
such as PLWHIV network leaders, Young Positive Networks,
truckers/drivers associations, CSW group leaders through
partner organizations.
Key strategies employed by STF include direct service delivery
through is clinics in Gulu and Kitgum, community outreach,
interpersonal communication, health talks. One on one talks,
peer education, focus group / group dialogues, face to face
discussions meeting with the clients, school sensitization,
community outreaches (health fairs), games & sports and radio
talk shows
In executing its services; STF received technical support from
district based CSOs and the District Community Development
and Health Offices. In the districts where STF operates such
centers; STF is an active member of several working groups.

Youth center services
District Gulu Kitgum Nwoya Adjumani Total
CLINICAL SERVICES
HIV Counselling and testing 3,936 7,078 4,627 3,212 18,853
STI diagnosis and treatment 231 483 95 - 809
Treatment of opportunistic infections 481 1,838 - - 2,319
Contraception 438 1,134 - - 1,572
Family planning counseling 3,762 2,305 - - 6,067
Condoms distributed 188, 545 198,100 54, 356 80,360 521,361
Safe male circumcision 195 647 - 9 851
Cervical cancer screening 260 296 - - 556
Referrals - - 357 573 930
NON CLINICAL SERVICES
Individual counseling 36,666 7,698 6,299 2,339 20,002
Condom education 116 1,530 4,761 8,749 15,156
Gender structured talks 1,039 7,237 1,031 7,999 17,306
Young mothers meetings 49 45 30 920 1,044
Outreach programs 117 15,401 5,008 2,009 22,535
Videos, Sports and games 2,727 7,546 926 1,408 12,607
Outreach to YWDs 19 74 444 496 1,033
Dialogues with out of school 1,326 6,928 1,232 2,302 11,788
Schools/institutions visited 1,710 13,405 3,004 4,062 22,181
MARPs sensitized
CSW 6,521
Truckers 7,841
Uniformed persons 7,361
Fisher folks 6,536
PHAs 15,963
GREAT- Gender Roles Equality and
Transformation: This is a collaboration with
Save the Children implemented in Gulu (Pabbo
and Lamogi sub counties) using the community
action cycle (Prepare to Mobilize, Explore
Together and, Plan and Act Together) working
with the Community Mobilization Groups
(CAGS) that include Sub county officials, local
community leaders and elders, STF staff and
extension workers. In total 90 (75 males, 15
females) CAGS –facilitated the action plan
development phase addressing SRH, Gender
Equity and Gender Based Violence. STF staff and
partners jointly monitored activity platforms-
young people engaged in utilization of tool kits to
guide dialogues /discussions on RH, gender and
GBV topics.
This was complimented by support from 124 (81
males, 43 female) VHT’s and health workers in
Pabbo and Lamogi who engaged with platforms
in SRH dialogues and linked them through
referral to health facilities.

31
In collaboration with GREAT consortium partners: SCI and
Pathfinder International – STF participated in technical
advisory group activities with line Ministries-Ministry of
Health (MOH), Education and Sports(MOES), Gender Labor
and Social Development (MoGLSD). Following the end of the
GREAT Pilot Phase, STF, undertook 4 Transition “phase out”
meetings with community leaders in Pabbo and Lamogi sub
counties in - Amuru District to discuss project management
sustainability by the District Local Government structures.
KEEP IT REAL –
Sexuality Education Project.
This is a project implemented in collaboration with Save
the Children in Nwoya and Agago district. Activities were
implemented among in and out of school young people aged
10 -24 years. In total 113 schools and 35 youth groups 1,067
(644 males, 423 females) -out of school youth were targeted
and supported through:
Orientation on the CSE Curriculum: Trainings with 50
teachers drawn from 50 schools, 49 (27 boys, 22 girls from
49 schools -46 primary schools, 3 secondary schools were
trained as peer educators. In a bid to support their efforts, an
additional 325 (164 boys, 161 girls) were supported through
club specific cascade model training on Sexuality Education
delivery.
To enhance a supportive school environment for ASRH,
1,490 (996 males, 494 females) were targeted through parents.
Project Awareness Meetings in 49 schools. STF conducted 126
monitoring and support visits to the 113 schools and noted
that 110 schools successfully completed Sexuality Education
delivery.
Work with out of school youth groups: STF trained 209
(123 males, 86 females) youths as peer educators. Participants
were equipped with HIV/AIDS, Family planning and other
adolescent SRH information. A key emphasis during the
trainings was positive gender norms and values, life skills, to
empower them as agents of behavior change while promoting
health seeking behavior among peers.
Accompanied visits to health facilities: Following a
mapping exercise conducted with 1,622(19 boys, 143 girls)
in school and 175 (117 males, 58 female) out of school youth
groups; accompanied visits were conducted to health facilities
with a total of -3781 (1,744 boys, 2,037 girls) drawn from 113
schools and 529 (264 males, 265 females) out of school youths,
drawn from the 35 youth groups to orient them to available
youth friendly services.
Collaboration with District Health workers: STF
supported health workers to conduct 493 visits (health talks)
to 133 schools and 35 out of school youth groups reaching
4,647 (2,427 boys, 2,220 girls) in school young persons and
528 (351 males, 177 females) youths out of school in Agago
and Nwoya District. Among out of school youths, A total of
149 (54 boys, 95 girls).

ASK-Access, Services and Knowledge: A partnership with
SRHR Alliance in Uganda supported by Rutgers; this project
aims to provide direct access to RH information to young
people through ICT and sensitization. STF achievements in
implementing this project were:
• 10 schools were targeted by activities conducted within Gulu
Municipality;
• Basic computer and life planning skills training provided to
202 (95 boys, 107 girls) from 5 PS- young star clubs and 16
(6 male,10 female) teachers and 24(13 males,11 females)
older adolescents in and out of school.
• 1,125 (613 males, 512 female) youth visited GYC to access the
ICT knowledge center.
• 5 Young Talk star clubs/youth friendly corners formed in
5 schools. The 65 (30 male, 35 female) STF Peer educators
in the clubs were trained on HIV prevention, SRH and life
planning skills along with (10 matrons/patrons (5 males,
5 females) 5 female health workers.
• Dialogue meetings held with teachers/non-teaching staff-(42
males, 58 females) and Parents/PTA/SMC-333 (184 male, 149
female) to seek their support in providing a positive learning
environment and provision of sexuality education in schools.
Advocacy activities with district leaders: This was
undertaken for purposes of lobbying the support of local
government in addressing vices among cultural, political
and religious leaders. District meetings were conducted with
leaders, NGO, CSOs and CBOs implementing HIV activities to
orient them to existing and planned project interventions.
IGA/Livelihood training for key target population: This
was conducted to strengthen and create a sustainable enabling
environment that mitigates underlying factors that drive the
HIV epidemic. Upon completion of the trainings participants
identified possible IGA based on knowledge and skills acquired
about management of IGA projects and finances including
securing loans from banks and microfinance institutions.
Success story: Empowering young mothers
Hard pressed by the lack of access to credit facilities to venture
into initiatives to support their livelihoods; many rural young
women have little hope of breaking out of their traditional role of
providing for their children single handedly; let alone return to
school after bearing a child.
But young mothers aged 15-24 years in Gulu have found solace in
a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) initiated by STF
which are vastly improving their livelihoods through low interest
loans. With a membership of 38 members; the group has to date
saved 68,000,000 UGX up from 11,000,000 UGX in 2012.
The savings group known as “Boli Cup” has been up and running
since 2008, and is a young mother owned saving scheme run
under GYC that offers technical guidance.
Whereas the initial goal of GYC was to provide SRH services to
young commuters fleeing violence back in their villages; there is
no doubt the Boli Cup is destined to improve livelihoods for young
mothers in Gulu.

STF-AR-2014

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