Young Talk, February 2010 

Not for SALE: HIV Basic

Young Talk is FREE If PEP prevents HIV from multiplying
in
the body, why doesn’t it cure HIV in
• Know your rights an
• Stay in school already infected person? Katushab
e
• Say No to sex Joshua, Nakasero PS, Kam-
Sex Education for primary schools pala.

PEP stands for Post Exposure Prophy

-
laxis. This is medicine that prevents
HIV
infection, PEP is given to people who
have been raped, defiled or come into
contact with the blood of someone
who
has HIV. This can be in a road acciden
t
or if a health worker accidentally gets
in
contact with blood of patients with
HIV.
PEP doesn’t cure HIV. It is only given
to
people who have been tested and don
’t
have HIV. It must be given within 72
hours (3 days) from the time of rape
, ac-
cident. After 72 hours it may not wor
k.
When HIV enters the body, it looks
for
a white blood cell with a CD4 cell. This
cell has a special door that allows HIV
to
enter inside it. Inside the CD4 is whe
re
HIV can live and produce many othe

Be friends
r
viruses.
When someone who has been raped
is
given PEP, it will stop HIV from ente
ring
the CD4 cell. So HIV will die before
pro-
ducing other viruses. This stops infe
c-
tion of HIV from happening. If someon
e
already has HIV, PEP cannot work. This

Parents
is because the virus will have entered
the CD4 cell and produced many othe
r

with
viruses. Teach your brothers, sisters,
and parents about PEP. You can get PEP
in: All district hospitals, Pediatric

your Infectious Disease Control (PIDC),

Mulago, Kitgum Youth Centre and
Gulu Youth centre

W elcome back from the holidays. It is

a New Year, as you grow up many
things happen and you may not know what
morning and wish them
a nice day.
• Welcome them from
to do.
work with a smile. Give
Talk to your parents. They are good source them something to eat
of wisdom. They love and care about your or drink.
wellbeing. Parents want the best for you. • Help with work at home
• Thank them for taking
Talk to your parents about growing up,
care of you.
friends, body changes and studies.

Parents Edith Mukisa • If you do something

Counsellor Edith Mukisa says, “It may not
a professional counselor wrong, say sorry

voice
be easy to start talking but keep talking to
them. When you talk to your parents, you: • When asking say please
• Get the right information • Surprise them with a gift
• Have safer behavior like on their birthdays and
Robert, Bwire Sitanga a parent from avoiding sex anniversaries.
Namayemba in Bugiri says: Parents want Some parents may not know • Do what they like, avoid
I am a father of six. I am their first teacher. to be friends how to talk to you. Help what they don’t like.
I talk to them about avoiding sex. Early with you. them start talking. Make • Listen and only speak
sex leads to HIV/STDs and unwanted Patricia them your friends:
Nyadoi, when your parent has
pregnancies. You have a right to talk to 10, P5,
• Greet them every finished talking
parents. My daughter feared to tell me Hindocha PS
when she got her first menstruation in Bugiri, was
period. I got used pads
hidden under her bed. I
one of the
journalists,
Journalists for the day
says: To make In December 2009, YT vis- ing to parents in this paper.
told her it is natural to my mother my ited Bugiri district in Eastern Abulo Isabella, P6, El
get menstruation peri- friend, I work Uganda. We trained eight Shaddhai Christian School
ods. It shows you are hard at school,
Young Talkers from different says: I talk to my parents
growing. Every woman do house work
schools as journalists. They when they are free. We talk
experiences it. and respect
her. interviewed fellow pupils and about school, behavior and
wrote the stories about talk- any interesting things.
  Young Talk, February 2010
Talking to parents keeps us safe
Young Talkers in Bugiri tell their experiences and the problems they face as they talk to their parents and guardians. Read on:
Easy to talk to mum
Dhamuzungu Alexander, P6,
EL-Shaddai Christian PS,
Bugiri says: I talk freely with
my mother. She has a soft voice.
She tells me to avoid early sex so
that I can stay healthy. Father is
difficult to talk to. He comes back
home late when I am asleep. If
I want to talk to him, I tell my
mother to inform him.
Well done, Alexander. Keep talk-
ing. Thank you for finding a way to
reach out to your father.
I send letters
Sometimes you may not be free
to talk to your parents. Kajumba
Emmanuel, 12, P6, Namun-
godi PS, Busia says: My father
is tough. If I want to talk to him, I
write a letter and send to him.
Good job Emmanuel, letter writing
is also a good way of letting your
parents know you want to talk to
them. Put time aside to talk with
them.
Always find good time to talk to
Do not demand,
be polite
Be polite, some parents want you to kneel while talking to them, if this is so please do it.
Amiri Tigawa from Bugubo Butambula
PS with his mother Namutamba Rebecca
your parents. Opio Isaac, 12, and clothes. He also takes us to
P7, New Hope PS, Bugiri says: pray at the church. He talks to
I talk to my parents in the evening us about HIV and advises us to
after work. You can also talk at avoid friends who want sex from
tea time, family meetings, holidays, us. Nabuyanga Annet, 14,
when doing work together such as P6, Luteete Gayaza road PS,
washing or cooking. Wakiso.
Annet, you are lucky to have such
I like my father. He treats me a father. Learn and take seriously
well. He pays our school fees, what he is teaching you. Thank him
takes us to school, buys food for being good to you.
Some children expect too much from their parents yet
parents don’t have the money.
Do not demand, be polite.
• Talk to them when they are not busy, tired
• Don’t use words your parents don’t understand
• Don’t argue with your parent but agree and listen good. However, a total of 1,449 pu-
to them.
• Be respectful
• Talk honestly and clearly
• Stand or sit in a relaxed way
• Make eye contact
• Ask questions where
necessary
• Accept it when parents
say ‘NO’ to what is
not pleasing them
• Learn to say what is
making you unhappy
without being disrespectful
to your parents.
Quiz: Tell us how you show respect
to elders at home, school and com-
munity. You win exercise books,
pens and sanitary pads. Send your
answers to P O BOX 22366 Kampala.
Henry the Young positive
friend: Sick on Christmas
Christmas day was not good. I
had malaria. You know malar-
ia is more dangerous for us
who are living with HIV. So
I had got get medical treat-
ment quickly.
The doctor reminded me
to always sleep under a
treated mosquito net
to prevent malaria.
This even more
important for
people liv-
ing with HIV.
Are you living
with HIV or know anyone with HIV? Sleeping
under a mosquito net is a must for a healthier
and longer life.
Back to Christmas day. I had lots of fun, eats
and drinks with may friends. I also got new
friends, especially P7 leavers like me.
I spent vacation working at my
brothers’ art company. I learnt to make
handcrafts, necklaces and
earrings. We sell these things to get
money for my secondary education.
PLE results out
PLE results are out! Pupils includ-
ing those in UPE schools performed
better compared to 2008! This is
pils from 73 schools had their results
cancelled due to cheating in exams.
Young Talkers, avoid cheating in
exams, do not ask another person to
sit the examinations for you. Do not
accept any body to give you written
Q
answers in the examination rooms.
How can you be a good friend
to someone who is HIV-Positive
Write to Young Talk,
Box 22366, Kampala
and win prizes.

When it is hard to talk with parents
Sometimes it is not easy to be friends with your parents or guardians. For example, if you are badly behaved
or disobedient. But sometimes, what your parents do may make it hard to make them your friends. Young
Talkers share their concerns as Auntie Liz Okello answers them.
Dad hates trousers
“My father is a Moslem. He doesn’t
want me to wear tight trousers.
He says trousers may attract boys
to love or defile me. When I wear
trousers, I feel good and smart like
my friends.” Maimunah Nakangu, 12,
Bright Future PS, Bugiri
It is good to be fashionable but also
have clothes that fit you well, smart
and accepted in your culture, home
and religion. Your father is trying to
protect you. He does not want you
to get hurt. All he wants is the best
for you. Respect your father’s opin-
ion. Try to understand them.
Parents fight
Auma Racheal, 13, P5,
Elohim PS, Bugiri, says, “
My friends mum and dad fight
most of the time. Her mum
sells malwa while the dad sells
fuel. She fears to tell her parents
when she needs knickers, pads,
books and pens because they
are always quarraling.
Be confident, Speak out, Show respect
Young Talk, February 2010 
Mum does not trust me
Namutamba Sharifa, P6, 13, Walkway
Junior Academy, Bugiri says: My mother
does not trust me. When I tell her
something, she thinks I am deceiving her.
I went to collect water but people were
many at the borehole. When I came
back, I explained to my mother why I had
delayed but she beat me.
Sorry about that. Check your behavoir.
Maybe you have ever lied to her and she Okiring Collins, New HopePS Bugiri, interviewing a friend
found out. This could have made her
not to trust you. Apologize to her. Be
open and let her know how you feel.
For Teachers
Continue explaining to her where need
be. Be well behaved.
Do you find it
hard to talk to Fambe Maimunah, a teacher of Bembe PS,
Luweero says: Teachers, encourage children to talk
your parents/ to their parents and teachers. Encourage parents to
Sorry about what your friend is
facing. Has she ever tried to find guardian? listen to their children.
out why her parents fight and quar-
rel? She can ask them respectfully
You can ask an If a child has a problem,
what is causing the quarrels and auntie/uncle to call the parent and child.
Talk to them together. Let
the fights. She can talk to a fam-
ily friend or relative to talk to her tell them, write each one talk openly. We
need one another’s views.
parents. It is hard to get what you a letter or send a There should be freedom
need from parents who are quar-
reling. She can talk to them about message on their of expression.
how she feels. phone.
If you are facing problems, talk to your parent. Get help
just like this Young Talker did. Now he is a happy boy.
  Young Talk, February 2010
Dear Young Talk
P.O.Box 22366 Kampala
Pupils of Kyankowe day and boarding PS,
Mityana, presenting a song on HIV/AIDS.
Say NO to Sex, listen to your parents.
How long would it take one to get infect-
ed with HIV after unprotected sex? Lon-
gora John, P6, Nakiceleet PS, Moroto
When one has unprotected sex, with an infected per-
son, HIV enters the body very fast. HIV moves quickly
into the body and starts multiplying to make new vi-
ruses. Young Talk is happy that you know the risk that
comes with having unprotected sex. Wait to have sex.
A boy says he wants to marry me. I fear
because it may lead me to fail exams.
What should I do? Girl, 14, P7, Bisozi PS,
Kamwenge
You have every reason to fear. It is too early to think
of marriage now. Tell the boy that you are still young
and want to concentrate on your studies. It is too
early to decide who you are going to marry now. Talk
to your parents/ guardian or teacher about this boy.
If I apply avocado on my face, will the
pimples go away? Abbo F., 12, P6, Yana
Kith Memorial PS, Tororo
Avocado is rich in vitamins A, D and E. However,
medically, there is no proof that avocado treats pim-
ples. If you have pimples, do not squeeze or rub them.
Bath the face using soap and clean water to control
pimples. It is normal to have pimples at teen age.
My friends tell me that if I don’t start
menstruating at 14 years, I will never
JOURNALISTS:
Our Young Talk Journalists
who wrote the stories for
this issue in Bugiri after being
trained as journalists. Give
special thanks to your parents
for allowing you to come for
the training.
Publisher: Straight Talk Foundation
4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P. O. Box 22366, Kampala, Tel: (031) 262030/1, Fax: 534858, E-mail: strtalk@imul.com, strtalk@
straight-talk.or.ug, President: C. Watson Executive Director: J. Wiltshire Communications Director: T. Agutu,
Editorial Manager: M. Akello, Editors: G. Awekofua, F Ouma, J. Abongowath, P. Kiwuuwa, J. Nafula Chief Designer: M. Kalanzi,
Designers: GB. Mukasa, Allan B. Dentine Printer: The New Vision. Young Talk is funded by Civil Society Fund & SIDA.
produce a baby. Kabugho B., 12, P7, God
Pays PS, Kasese
This is not true. The ability to have a baby is not
determined by when a girl starts menstruation. Not all
girls start menstruation at the same time. Some begin
as early as 10 and others start after 14 years. This is
normal. Your time will come. The ability to produce
depends on good health. For example, it is important
to protect yourself from STDs, since they can lead to
infertility for men and women.
Does HIV attack only the white blood
cells of the body? How does septrin
control it? Mugasho Lawrence, 13, P7,
Nkonge UMEA PS, Ssembabule
No. HIV does not attack only the white blood cells.
It can attack any cell of the body. HIV kills the white
cells. This weakens the body’s ability to fight diseases.
We start falling sick with many diseases like diarrhoea,
pneumonia, TB. Septrin is medicine that prevents or
reduces these diseases from attacking someone living
with HIV. But Septrin doesn’t control HIV. It helps
people with HIV not to fall sick all the time. It keeps
them healthy and feeling well.
Counsellors: Paul Semugoma, Interna-
tional Hospital Kampala and Liz Okello
Gayaza High school
Know your body:
Voice change in boys
Why does my voice change?
Ayume Bernard, 12, Nkumba PS, Wakiso
Dear Bernard, as we grow, our bodies experi-
ence changes especially during teenage or at
puberty. Our voices may become deep. This
is controlled by hormones. Hormones are
natural chemical messages produced by our
bodies. Hormones tell our
bodies when to grow and
how to grow Changing of
the voice is normal and
natural. When you reach
twenty years, the voice will
become normal.
Dr P Semugoma,
International Hospital,
Kampala.
ADVICE TO NL
In Young Talk September 2009, NL,
11, of Ndikye PS, Bushenyi asked for
advice. She said, “I am an orphan. My uncle
pays my school fees. He is married to a wife,
who works very far from home. One day he
asked me for sex, but I refused. He has re-
fused to pay my school fees. What can I do?
Most of you advised NL not to have
sex with her uncle.“Don’t have sex with
your uncle, he may be infected with HIV and
infect you.” Okwi Andrew, Lira PS
“Talk to your aunties, Grandparents or uncles.
They could pay your school fees. Don’t give in
for sex with your uncle.”
Atayo Teddy, St. Maria Gorreti PS,
Katende, Mpigi
Shakira Nazziwa, P6, 12, Lira PS
says:“ You are too young to have sex.
Report him to police or to your aunties.”
Thank you all for advising NL. You win
exercise books. Remember, sex with a
relative like an uncle is incest. Incest is
wrong. NL, talk to your teacher, proba-
tion officer or subcounty officials to help
you look for fees
Please advise Kabanda Mercy ,
Nawanyago Busano PS, Kamuli .
If I stay with a step mother or a guardian/
father who does not like me at home and
I experience my menstruation periods is it
good to tell her or him? Send your
advise to P O Box 22366, Kampala.