Newsletter 04 web

JAN UARY 22 - 26

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W E E K

FOU R

INTRODUCTION If you have been reading our #PEA2018 weekly newsletters this far, thank you! We’re in the last stretch of the training and the days keep

DAY 14 The topic was Sexually Transmitted

between periods, pelvic pain, burning

Diseases/Infections and Cervical Cancer.

urination. Complications of gonorrhea

STDs are also known as STIs or venereal

include pelvic inflammatory disease,

diseases that are spread through sexual

inflammation of the epididymis, septic

contact. The effects being more severe

arthritis and endocarditis and infertility

among women than men Common

among women.

getting more and more fabulous, enlightening and intense. Have you made an impact so far in the academy? If not, don’t worry, you still have time to do so.

STDs include gonorrhea, syphilis and genital herpes with syphilis being the

Did you know that 3 in 10 women carry

commonest. Syphilis is painless, and

the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) which is

when ignored can go into secondary

responsible for cervical cancer? This virus

changes before they turn cancerous. We had

syphilis the stage coming with rash on the

is sexually transmitted although people

the pleasure of hosting Doreen Sandra Kawuma

body, or palms and tongue. Genital herpes

with it don’t develop any symptoms.

from Uganda National Association of the Deaf

is marked by pain, sores from ulcers and

Cervical cancer can be cured if detected

for an inspiration talk who stated that the lives

scabs and itching. On the other hand,

early although the HPV virus can’t be.

of people with disabilities are made much easier

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria. Many

Symptoms of cervical cancer include

when they are included in society. They face the

people have no symptoms but signs in

bleeding from the vagina that isn’t

same challenges as everyone else and some

men include painful urination,discharge

normal, pain in lower pelvis/belly, pain

worse. We should learn sign language in order

from the penis, testicular pain whereas

during sex, abnormal vaginal discharge.

to communicate with them. PWDs inclusion

in women, it includes vaginal bleeding

Pap tests can be used detect cervical cell

starts with YOU!

DAY 15 We kicked off with a session on HIV positive living and how young people can protect themselves from the virus. The session was led by Barbara Kemigisa who is living with HIV and has had the virus for over 9 years. She encouraged people living with HIV/AIDS to take their ARVs once they have been diagnosed with the virus. ARVs are used as treatment for HIV/AIDS but they don’t cure it. There’s no cure for it yet and it doesn’t go away by itself. ARVs simply slow down the damage that HIV does to the immune system and allow people to live long, productive lives like everyone else without succumbing to the disease. Barbara noted that the downside of not taking ARVs once you have been infected or skipping medication or taking it at the wrong times is that the virus will become resistant and advance into AIDS. She further said that along with taking ARVs, eat well balanced diets, exercise regularly, have enough sleep and most importantly, have ABSTAIN, BE FAITHFUL or USE A CONDOMS. Our second session was led by Mr. Richard Kiranda Kizito from Uganda AIDS Commission who explained the 90-90-90 strategy by UNAIDS adopted to curb HIV spread in the next upcoming years globally. The first 90 stands for 90% of HIV positive knowing their status by 2020 through scientific measures, the second 90 stands for every HIV positive person availed with treatment and care and the third 90 stands for every positive being on treatment having their viral load reduced and not reaching the advanced AIDS stage.

We were happy to host Dr. Naboth Coole, our Advisory Board member who encouraged the peer educators to be ambitious and purpose driven.

DAY 16 Winnie Akeso came back conduct a session on gender stereotypes. She defined gender stereotypes as preconceived ideas whereby female and males are arbitrarily assigned characteristics and roles determined and limited by their gender. Traditionally, female stereotypic role is to marry and have children, be nurturing, and put the welfare of family before their own. Male stereotypic roles include being financial providers, courageous, assertive, career focused, hold their emotions in check and initiate sex.

These stereotypes are harmful because they stifle individual expression and creativity as well as hinder personal and professional growth.

The second session was on inclusion of People With Disabilities by our facilitator Dorcus from Light for the World. As peer educators if we go out to societies that have people with disabilities, we must be sensitive about how we communicate with them. Their inclusion goes beyond simply hearing and speaking to them. We must acknowledge their strong senses and use those as a medium to communicate. Mind the language you use to address them. Don’t call them stupid, mad or dumb.

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#PEA2018 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

DAY 17 Alcohol, drug and substance abuse is led by our facilitator Joshua Thembo from Naguru Teenage Center. He noted that the commonly abused drugs and substance include marijuana locally known as joints, ganja, weed and kuba, tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, spirits and petrol. Why do young people abuse drugs? To relieve stress, peer pressure, to get confidence. A common belief is that drug and substance is that drug abusers should just be able to stop if they are willing to change their behaviour. It’s not that simple.

We were honoured to host General Elly Tumwine to inspire us on how to chase our dreams, passion and purpose. He stated that each one of us is on earth as a special unique individual with a special purpose. The attitude you have determines your altitude. You won’t catch your passion like a flue. After loving God, love yourself. It’s from loving yourself that you’ll be able to love your neighbour and your country. Don’t allow negativity to overpower you.

DAY 18 The facilitator for the day was Fahd Maliik Kayondo the CEO of Telesat who conducted a session on financial literacy and money matters.

He stated that we are mature and it’s time to start thinking of ways to make money and this starts with us understanding spending, saving and credit. How do we make money? First step should be learning/understand how to mobilise working capital, pay religious taxes like tithe and within your budget, add a component of social responsibility. Encourage your children to invest at a young age.

Don’t think you’re too young to earn but mature enough to spend.

Don’t spend on more than you need, be wise about spending. Avoid dependency like borrowing money. Sacrifice today for tomorrow.

Our second session was led by Joel Ssevume took us through professional attitude. He emphasized that a positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of them having power over you. Every storm runs out of rain. Your attitude determines your directions. Unlearn negative beliefs.

#PEA2018 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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DAY 19 The academy stretched a little into the weekend, just for photos, food, sharing ideas; basically, for fun. We had our yearly peer photoshoot on Saturday. If our week had been a cake, the photoshoot was the icing. Good music, cool outfits, camera clicks, lights and flashes, and everything glam you have ever seen. These photos take all this effort because they help us in communicating and advocating for key SRHR and livelihoods, since what is seen is easier believed.

Keep following #PEA21018. The best is yet to come.

#PEA2018

CLOSING CEREMONY

9TH FEB. 18

For more information about the Peer Educators Academy 2018, please visit our websites www.reachahand.org and www.sautiplus.org or follow us on our social media platforms; on facebook at www.facebook.com/reachahandug or www.facebook.com/sautiplusuganda, Twitter @REACHAHAND & @sautiplus Instagram: reach_a_hand and join the hashtag #PEA2018