NATIONAL POLIO VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
Webmasters January 18, 2022 No Comments

NATIONAL POLIO VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

The national Polio vaccination campaign was a three-day campaign. Aimed at reaching out to all children below the age of five. The target was to immunize 8.8 million children and also reach out to those who missed routine immunization.  The exercise started on the 14th of January, 2021, and ended on the 16th which was a Sunday.

On the 17th of August 2021, the ministry of health declared Polio a Public Health Emergency in Uganda. This followed the positive laboratory tests from environmental samples in Kampala that confirmed Poliovirus Type 2. The World Health Organization certified Uganda and Africa as wild-Polio virus-free in August 2020.  Transmitted from person to person or through contaminated water or food and multiplies inside the intestines. The virus spends through stool from an unvaccinated child which can cause sore throat, fever, tiredness, stomach ache, and paralysis.

The delivery of essential health services including routine immunization was affected extensively. In the process of mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases were fewer. This slowdown leads to the rebirth of Polio globally, including in Uganda. By the end of August, the Ministry of Health said that up to two million children had missed out on the Polio Vaccination.

The ministry of health brought it to itself to conduct a nationwide Polio immunization campaign in October and December 2021. During which the health workers were to visit house to house. To vaccinate children under the age of 5 years against Polio.  To ensure children are safely vaccinated without the risk of getting affected with COVID_19. The health workers were to wear masks and follow SOPs.

Briefing from the Minister of Health

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng the Health Minister told the journalists on Wednesday 12th that the new exercise will be conducted door to door. And this will be concurrent with the ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations. As a way to pave way for Polio drive, selected facilities across the country were halted. She was accompanied by Yonas Tegen, the World Health Organization representative to Uganda. And Munir Safielden the UNICEF representatives to Uganda. They flagged off immunization cold chain equipment at kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala.

Dr. Aceng confirmed that the equipment will go a long way in improving immunization services across the country. Gavi gave equipment worth USD 8.3 million. The vaccine alliance was given to districts to ease vaccine storage. These include 5 cold rooms, 2,000 compliant vaccine carriers, 1,435 fridges among others.

Launch of the immunization campaign.

The launch of the immunization campaign took place at Wakiso Health Centre IV on Thursday 13th. On Friday 14th, 2022 the immunization campaign in Uganda started from parts of Wakiso and Kampala. The parents got to know about the campaign through news and adverts on radios, television, and newspapers. The health workers moved from door to door while vaccinating the children. Even those at school. Since the immunization come at a time when children had gone back to school.

Some parents hid their children. They face a risk of having disabilities if not vaccinated. The consent of the parents in the case of immunization is not of importance says the health workers.

Dr. Alfred Driwale, the Programme Manager of the Uganda Expanded program on immunization (UNEPI) told URN. That the number of immunized children has been pilling over the years. He adds that the reason for this is accessibility for especially hard-to-reach areas.

According to the US-Based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, polio, or poliomyelitis is a disabling and life-threatening disease. The virus can infect the spinal cord, causing paralysis, leading to permanent disability or death.

Polio has over the years proven to be a risk to all children. Love Uganda Foundation advises parents to comply and take their children to the health centers to get vaccines. To protect a child from polio you need two drops of the Polio vaccine.

Tobacco products
Webmasters January 12, 2022 No Comments

TOBACCO

Tobacco according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse is a plant grown for its leaves which are dried and fermented before being put in tobacco products. The World Health Organization identifies tobacco as the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world.

Close to 8 million people die around the world every year because of the use of tobacco. More than 7 million of those deaths are a result of direct tobacco use. According to the World Health Organization, people exposed to second-hand smoke are 1.2 million as a result of non-smokers. Tobacco contains nicotine which is an additive making it hard for people to quit.

Numbers

Low and middle-income countries cover over 80% of the 1.3 billion users with a burden of tobacco-related illness and death at its heaviest. It contributes to poverty by diverting household spending from basic needs such as food and shelter to tobacco.

In Uganda, 7.9 percent of adults (age 15+) use tobacco products. The rates are higher in men than women. Average of 11.6 percent of men and 4.6 percent of women. Among the youth, 17.3 percent (5.0 boys and 4.7 girls) use tobacco products. Secondhand smoke exposure goes to 20.4 percent of adults who work indoors, those exposed in restaurants are 16 percent, and exposed in public transport are 7.8 percent. More than 9,650 Ugandans die from smoking-related causes. Smoking tobacco kills 124 men and 64 women every week.

Products

Tobacco products

Tobacco kills most of the people in Uganda and around the world.

People can smoke, chew, or sniff tobacco. Smoked products include cigarettes, cigars, bidis, and kreteks. Loose tobacco is smoked in a pipe ( water pipe ) and chewed products include chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, and snus.

 

 

Health Effects

 The blood absorbs nicotine and demands the brain. The adrenal glands release the hormone epinephrine that stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. As it is for other drugs that reinforce rewarding behaviors. Tobacco smoking can lead to lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. It increases the risk of heart disease which can lead to stroke or heart attack. Smoking is close to other cancers like leukemia, cataracts, type 2 diabetes, and pneumonia.

Miscarriages, stillborn or premature infants, or infants with low birth weight are unavoidable if the pregnant woman smokes cigarettes. Its effects don’t spire those who stand or stand those who smoke. Furthermore, Secondhand smoke exposure also leads to lung cancer and heart disease. Children have an increased risk of ear infections, severe asthma, lung infections, and death from infant death syndrome.

In Uganda, people have been hoodwinked to think that tobacco growing improves their livelihoods while consumption is looked at as a leisure activity. In 2015, the country passed one of the strongest laws in the world and the Minister of Health published the tobacco control regulations. Other gains in tobacco control in the country include a ban on direct advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, enforcement of smoke-free environments, and an increase in tobacco taxation by 39.9%.

The tobacco industry has a lot of resources and fighting it is not easy. Given its effects, we must join hands in creating awareness to people on the use of tobacco. However, tobacco has a good part with it. These include:

  • Tobacco is used as a great pest poison for the garden to kill pests, especially caterpillars and snails that tend to feed on leaves.
  •  Help soothe itching and mild pain hence it also helps in relieving allergies.
  •  First aid to minor cuts

But remember to use tobacco to get advice from doctors to avoid health problems.

Call to action.

Choosing to volunteer so that to create awareness to people who smoke to stop and to those who have not yet started not to try it in any way. You will volunteer in our health program, community development and also education program.

 

 

 

cervical cancer awareness
Webmasters January 7, 2022 No Comments

CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer develops in women’s cervix (this is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina). According to the World Health Organization, almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high/risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). It is an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Cervical cancer is ranked fourth most common cancer in women.

Cancer is a result of uncontrolled division and the growth of abnormal cells. Some cells in our body have a set lifespan and when they die, the body generates new cells to replace them. Sometimes they may not die and continue dividing which results in an excessive buildup cell that eventually forms a lump or tumor. Some of the risk factors that may increase

the risk of developing cervical cancer include:

  • HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.
  • Having many sexual partners or even becoming sexually active at an early age. Women who have had many sexual partners generally have a higher risk of HPV infection.
  • Smoking also increases the risk of developing cervical cancer as well as other types.
  • A weakened immune system that’s to say those with HIV/AIDS and people who have undergone a transplant leading to the use of immune-suppressive medications.
  • Birth control pills when used for a long term slightly raise a woman’s risk.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases for example gonorrhea and syphilis increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
  • The socio-economic status rates appear to be higher in areas where incomes are low. Checkups are expensive for all people mostly in rural areas.

According to data on HPV, Uganda has a population of 12.3 million women age 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Each year, 6959 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4607 die from it. (Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers Fact Sheet 2021).

Uganda is said to have the highest cervical cancer incidence in the world (54.8 per 100,000). Yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination and screening, yet it remains one of the gravest threats to women’s lives according to the World Health Organization. The increase in Uganda is a result of limited screening access and infrastructure.

There are stages of cervical cancer as listed below according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.

  • Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ. Abnormal cells in the innermost lining of the cervix.
  • Stage 1: Here cancer cells have grown from the surface into deeper tissues of the cervix and possibly into the uterus.
  • On stage 2: Cancer has now moved beyond the cervix and the uterus, but not as far as the walls of the pelvis or the lower part of the vagina.
  • Stage 3: Cancerous spread to the pelvic sidewall or the lower third of the vagina and/or hydronephrosis or a non-functioning kidney that is incident to invasion of the ureter. Here the cancer cells are present in the lower part of the vagina or the walls of the pelvis and they may be blocking the ureters. The tubes that carry urine from the bladder.
  • Stage 4: Cancerous spread beyond the true pelvis or into the mucosa of the bladder or rectum. It may or may not affect the lymph nodes. Later it will spread to distant organs, including the liver, bones, lungs, and lymph nodes.
Below are some of the symptoms of cervical cancer;
  • The bleeding between periods
  • There is also bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Bleeding in post-menopausal women
  • The discomfort during sexual intercourse
  • Vaginal discharge with a strong odor
  • Vaginal discharge tinged with blood
  • Pelvic pain. These symptoms also have other causes which include infection

When detected early and managed effectively, cervical cancer is the most successfully treatable form of cancer. In late stages, cancer can also be managed with appropriate treatment and palliative care. The treatment for cervical cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or have a combination of all those.  The decision on the kind of treatment depends on several factors such as the stage of cancer as well as age and overall state of health. The early stage when cancer remains within the cervix has a success rate. For example, the use of surgery and radiation therapy may reduce the risk of recurrence. Further cancer spreads from its original area the lower the success rate tends to be. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy involve the use of chemicals and beams of high-energy X-rays or radiation to destroy cancer cells.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE THE CHANCES OF DEVELOPING CERVICAL CANCER?
cervical cancer

January is a cervical cancer awareness month. Healthcare, medicine, and early prevention concept.

Every woman should be strict on getting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to reduce the frequency of cervical cancer.

Practicing safe sex by using condoms as protection against HPV infection. Having fewer sexual partners as it will reduce the higher risk of transmitting the HPV virus. This also calls for delaying the first sexual intercourse of a young woman. The longer she delays it, the lower her risk.

The women who smoke have a high risk of developing cervical cancer than people who do not smoke? So one should stop smoking.

Volunteering in Uganda opens up to everyone who is willing to volunteer with us in the health program to help create awareness about cervical cancer to women in rural and urban areas. Donations of equipment, medicines, and other things are welcomed.

Love Uganda Foundation advises all women to undergo cervical cancer screening which makes it easy to find and treat early-stage cervical cancer possible. National Cancer Institute says regular screening reduces the risk of developing or dying from cervical cancer by 80%. The collected cervical cancer screening program using HPV testing within the community-based primary health care services can increase access to screening and reduce cervical cancer rates in Uganda. The efforts are to reduce the number of women who die because of cervical.

With its partners that is Love Uganda Safaris and Tugambe.org, all care about the woman’s health. Join the cause.

 

 

 

REOPENING OF SCHOOLS.

The dream has come true after the announcement of the reopening of schools. Everyone is getting ready teachers, school owners, parents, and students. Reopening of schools but who is going back? After two years of closure, schools are to be opened up in Uganda on the 10th of January 2022. The president of Uganda confirmed on the 31st of December 2021 that all the learners will go back to school on the 10th of January. This is good news to all parents and school owners plus teachers who are willing to continue with the call.

The minister of education and sports says that learners are automatically going to the next class. That is to say, those who were in senior one to be promoted to senior two as schools open. This is due to the missed terms by the students due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This may be good news for the high growth rate of children mostly girls. But the coverage in the school syllabus is low and no one knows how it is going to be covered. Teachers are advised to find balancing solutions to make up for the lost time. But remember it has been long since students last sat in the classrooms and their minds are not set the school class works, tests, and exams.

SCHOOLS

About 40% of Uganda’s primary schools and 60% of its secondary are private institutions, run by individuals, religious organizations, charities, and businesses. Their main income is through school fees which cover all the running costs. These include the teachers’ salaries which range from ($100) 350,000 to (250) 880,000 Uganda shillings a month. Some private schools offer high-quality education and have good facilities. As schools were closed due to COVID-19 many had got loans to sustain the schools hoping they would pay using the payments of school fees. Therefore many have been put out for sale due to failure to pay loans of the bank. The government’s promises to assist private school teachers have gone unfulfilled. No one knows if all schools will be in a position to open up by January 10th.

Schools need a lot of money to start operating as:

  • Some classrooms are not in good shape due to the long time not been in use.
  • The sits or desks used in the classrooms are all broken due to the ants so new ones are needed.
  • The materials to be used in putting SOPS in practice are also limited in schools since all students are going back at the same time. For example temperature guns, tape water, soap to wash hands, and hand sanitizer to be used. This means additional money which is not available.
  • Schools are to provide some money to teachers who had moved to the villages. The money is to cater for the rent since some were chased away from the houses and to buy some other stuff like clothes, shoes, etc.
  • Facilities to enable social distance are also not available such as dormitories and classrooms.

All the above and more up to the school owners and heads to find ways of providing everything that is needed.

TEACHERS

School teachers as the holders of the institutions are also to be looked up in this matter as schools reopen.

Schools are set to have a shortage of teachers as they look forward to reopening up. So many schools as they closed due to COVID-19 they were u able to pay these teachers by that time. Those in private schools received messages “No more payments until when schools open.” So many teachers were left to starve and be chased out of their homes since the source of money was closed. It reached a point where teachers started begging parents to give them something to eat

Many teachers had to find jobs to earn some money since there was not any light when schools will be opened. They worked in jobs like making chapatis, washing clothes in the neighborhood, some became farmers and others decided to go to Dubai to work. Many have been successful in their businesses where they get good money. They are not willing to go back to teaching leaving their business. Those in farming say that they have a ready market for their products so they have transformed from teaching to farming. So where are the teachers who are going to attend to learners in school? What quality of learners is going to be produced.

So it’s advised that teachers should have more listening ears than ever before this time around. The students have gone through a lot in the past two years. The government of Uganda has remembered at last teachers from private schools both primary and secondary to receive ten thousand shillings ( 100,000shs) each in COVID-19 relief cash.

Let’s talk about the PARENTS.

Parents are the breeders of the school fees and providers of the students. The school fees range from shillings 100,000 to shillings 2,000,000 and above. Many parents lost their jobs during the COVID-19 and they are looking north and west to get the school fees ready come January 10th. And many parents are not willing to take their kids back to school due to financial difficulties. So the question comes up how many parents will have the full fees for the children in schools. Although very many parents are shopping for their children per now. They are shopping from school uniforms, books, shoes, pens, and pencils to what they will eat in the term.

The big factor comes up the “STUDENTS”

Children were safe in schools but the closing of schools due to COVID-19 every changed. According to the National Planning Authority says that 30 percent of students are expected not to return to their school decks in January due to teen pregnancy, early marriage, and child labor. The two years of school shutdown have done more harm than good. This was said by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) General secretary Filbert Baguma. Many girls got pregnant, got married off and others got jobs and started earning money. Some girls have two children in two lockdowns.

The cultural norms and the stigma can make the girls ashamed of going back to school while pregnant or even being married. Although some would wish to go back to school some were chased away from home and had no stable job to provide school fees. Boys are not also spared from the impact of the school shutdown with many in the child labor market. They have been working in mining, street vending, making bricks, and sugarcane planting. They are touching money so they see no reason to go back to school. It’s very hard to convince these children to go back to school as they see no valve in schooling again. So which children are going back to school?

 

reopening of schools

Donations of scholastic materials upon the reopening of schools at Love Uganda Orphanage.

Volunteering in Uganda gives an opportunity to volunteer under the education program and the orphanage program to extend help to vulnerable children.

Partnering with Love Uganda foundation that has about 30 children and they all need to go back to school come Monday 10th, December 2022. They need scholastic materials that are to say uniforms, books, pens and other materials need in schools.

Through donations, we will be able to provide them with the school requirements. By sponsoring a child at Love Uganda Orphanage home, she or she will be able to attend school without any differentiates. Please check out our fee and get involved.

With its partners, Tuyambe.org, Love Uganda Safaris, join hands to make sure that these children get everything they need during school times and holidays.

But we can’t manage alone without your help. Offer a hand as we “empower the next generation.”

 

 

 

malnutrition
Webmasters December 28, 2021 No Comments

MALNUTRITION

The World Health Organisation defines malnutrition as “deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients”.

The National Health Services of the United Kingdom refers to malnutrition as “poor nutrition”.

There is something in common here, based on those two definitions and that is food.

The food in question is available but it is not exactly the kind of food the body needs and requires to grow as it should grow.

Food is a very vital part of life for children and living life and it shall guide our discussion here.

 

The World Food Programme puts it so well;

“To get to Zero Hunger, food is not enough. Providing food assistance in an emergency can save lives, but the right nutrition at the right time can also help change lives and break the cycle of poverty”.

According to the Global Nutrition Report, Uganda is ‘on course’ to meet two of the global nutrition targets for which there was sufficient data to assess progress!

 

Take, for example, one group of malnutrition (under-nutrition). It includes wasting (having a low weight for one’s height), stunting (having a low height for one’s age), and being underweight (having a low weight for one’s age) as well as having deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.

Undernutrition makes children in particular much more vulnerable to disease and death!

 

According to the World Health Organisation fact-sheet on malnutrition, wasting usually indicates recent and severe weight loss, because a person has not had enough food to eat and/or they have had an infectious disease, such as diarrhea, which has caused them to lose weight. A young child that is moderately or severely wasted has an increased risk of death, but treatment is possible.

 

When it comes to stunting, we are generally dealing with a result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition. Usually associated with poor socioeconomic conditions, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness, and/or inappropriate infant and young child feeding and care in early life. Stunting holds children back from reaching their physical and cognitive potential.

 

For a child to be underweight, they may be stunted, wasted, or both.

 

In the same spirit of having children under the condition of under-nutrition, there exists over-nutrition!

Overnutrition is the situation where a child has more nutrients in their body than they need to have.

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition.

The most common signs and symptoms of malnutrition in children include feeling tired all the time, feeling weak, getting sick often. And taking quite long to recover, a general lack of interest in eating and drinking. Having a low body weight, not growing or not putting on weight at the expected rate among others.

 

Many doctors advise that the best course of action to take once you realize a child is malnourished is to start them on a diet high in proteins and calories.

Food that is high in proteins includes poultry, lean meat like beef and pork, fish, eggs. Dairy products like yogurt and milk among others.

Food that is high in calories includes beans, whole milk, cheese, eggs, oily fish, potatoes, brown rice. And whole-grain bread among others.

 

If you can, it is recommended that you give out a snack in between meals to the child that is malnourished.

And begin them on a diet of drinks that are high on calories like orange juice, apple juice among others.

Adding plenty of fruits and vegetables to the diet of the children helps a lot, too!

 

 Feeding them a balanced and healthy diet, as much as possible hence prevention of malnutrition.

However, this can also begin with the entire journey of the expectant mother. As they are provided this same balanced and healthy diet. In the hope that their children are born healthy and have a lower risk of being stunted, developing poorly, or dying.

Breastfeeding mothers need to eat a plentiful diet to store the energy and nutrients they require to breastfeed successfully.  (UNICEF, 2018)

 

Ps. Since we are talking about malnutrition in children, it is strongly advised medical personnel are consulted to establish what is causing this condition in a child before any action can be taken.

Volunteering in Uganda is the only place you can choose to volunteer to reach out to those who are suffering from malnutrition. Through our community outreach and healthcare plus the orphanage programs, you will be able to extend services and help to these people.

At Love Uganda Foundation orphanage you will get to care for the orphans both external and internal. We care a lot about what type of food our children take. Although they are orphans they deserve to have a balanced and healthy diet. With the help of our partners Tuyambe.org, and Love Uganda Safaris. Through charities and donations that you give to us with we can ensure that they get to eat a balanced diet.

Christmas day
Webmasters December 24, 2021 No Comments

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ around the world on the 25th of December every year. Both religious and cultural people celebrate it around the world. It’s preceded by the season of advent that initiates the season of Christmastide which historically in the West lasts twelve days. Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas day involves giving gifts, Christmas music, and corals, going for church services, decorations of the Christmas tree. People do shopping all over the world. Markets are always full, supermarkets and shopping malls. Buying new clothes for that day is on everyone’s to-do list.

When I was young my mom used to take me shopping to get a Christmas dress and a new pair of shoes. I remember the smile on my face those days because I was just so happy to the extent that I couldn’t sleep. A lot of food was cooked and too many sodas were served. Up to today, nothing has changed.

But who provides for the vulnerable children, who cares if they have got Christmas gifts, new clothes and something to eat. These children don’t have families that care for them, no basic needs, no health care, and no family. Remember Christmas is always fun celebrated with family but where is the family. Some end up on the streets and others in the orphanages where they try to get a picture of what it feels like to have Christmas.

Children are happy for there Christmas gifts

The joy of being given gifts.

So how can you help vulnerable children enjoy Christmas like any other child with a family? Through volunteering, this can be made possible. The memories may seem like a small thing but to a child in foster care means a world to them. Our orphanage program gives you a chance to reach out to the vulnerable children at the Love Uganda Foundation orphanage.

  • Vulnerable children or any other child love gifts. You may not know the name of the child but know the age and gender of the child you are a blessing. This will help you choose the gift or items you wish to purchase. The extra time and effort put in to make a huge difference in helping the child feel loved. You may choose to donate clothes, pairs of shoes, toys, and a teddy bear to kids under  Love Uganda Foundation
  • Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and when you read luke2:7 says “she gave birth to the firstborn son and wrapped him in the swaddling clothes, and laid him in the manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” Jesus looked like a vulnerable child and he faced hunger, sadness pain and isolated. Many vulnerable children are isolated once their parents die by relatives. They look for what to eat and they are always sad. So choosing to donate food to orphanages during this Christmas season. As you do shopping for your family pick some items to take to the orphanage? For example, sacks of sugar and rice, cooking oil, and loaves of bread.

These kids long to have something they can call theirs and it will become special to them. You will remain in their hearts and pray. I challenge you his holiday season as you decorate your house and Christmas tree, gather around as a family, and celebrate think of ways to make a child in an orphanage and streets feel special. Maybe your love this year will make ornaments for the organization.  The way you love to be given gifts is the way kids at Love Uganda Foundation love them too.

Volunteering in Uganda and its partners Tuyambe.org, Love Uganda Foundation, and Love Uganda Safaris. Wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. We thank you for all the help through donations and sponsoring a child in 2021. And we look forward to working with you in the year2022. Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to give. This is according to BC Forbes, the Scottish-born American financial journalist

 

Menstruation hygiene
Webmasters December 15, 2021 No Comments

MENSTRUATION HYGIENE

 

Menstruation hygiene refers to the access to menstrual hygiene products to absorb or collect the flow of blood during menstruation, privacy to change the materials, and access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. Menstruation refers to the monthly shedding of the lining of a woman’s uterus. It is also known as the menstrual period/cycle. It’s a combination of party blood and partly tissue from the inside of the uterus. It flows from the uterus through the cervix and out of the body through the vagina.

The menstruation cycle is considered to begin on the first day of the period. The average cycle is 28 days however the cycle can range from 21 to 35 days. The menstrual cycle is triggered by the rise and fall of the hormones in the body. At the age of 12, a girl can start menstruating however some start at the age of 8 or even 16 years.

How does a girl know that period is about to come?

Some of the symptoms of normal menstruation could get.

  • Moodiness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Food craving
  • Cramps in the lower abdomen and back
  • Bloating
  • Tenderness in the breasts
  • Acne

Missing out school

So many adolescents mostly in rural areas miss out on school due to the stigma and period of poverty. This puts them at risk of entering into child marriage, experiencing and early pregnancy, and domestic violence and pregnancy complications. The pads or sanitary towels are too expensive for the parents to buy as they cost between 2500shs to around 9000shs. So instead cut clothes or use toilet paper to help collect cycle blood which puts their health in danger.

If they can’t afford to get water for cooking food then don’t expect them to get the one for showering. No guidance is given to the girl on how to keep themselves clean to avoid infections. So many girls in Uganda on their first period do not know what to do, they don’t know what is happening to their bodies, and they don’t know how to manage their pains and how to clean themselves.

Pain and disposal

The pain experienced during the period is also too much for the girl sometimes which stops them from going to school. Some girls when the periods come they unable to walk or even do anything because of pain.

The means of disposal is also worrying as many just throw the used towels anywhere they find for example on garbage tracks. There are two types of pads in Uganda that are reusable pads these go for a year. And the disposable pads which are used at once. If somebody’s hygiene is not so good I would advise her to use the disposal ones as they don’t need washing. Burning of pads would be the best way of keeping the hygiene than just throwing them any way they find. This is because they are made of practices (disposal pads) since they are degradable. So somebody needs to come out and help the girls not to miss out on the school just because of the periods. Boys should also be informed about the menstruation periods to avoid mocking the girls.

Menstrual hygiene

in rural areas is worrying as there are no friendly designed facilities to access privacy and sanitary products. Rural primary and secondary schools in Uganda have failed to provide proper water sanitation and hygiene facilities. In addition with sanitary products to the girl students. But in 2015 a circular number 1/2015 was issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports instructing all educational institutions to undertake and observe several measures for menstrual hygiene management. Below are some of the core ones:

  • Provision of separate toilet facilities for boys, girls, children with disabilities, male and female teachers.
  • Adequate water tanks near the toilet facilities to ensure regular supply of water and soap
  • Emergency changing uniforms, wrappers, sanitary towels, and pain killers for girls.
  • Trained senior women and male teachers to support girls through the process of maturation including them in standard specifications.
  • School management committees and boards to prioritize menstrual hygiene management.

The president of Uganda once suggested that there should be the provision of sanitary pads for free to the primary school girls around the country. However, the education minister responded by saying that such a project requires huge amounts of funds to provide sanitary towels across the country and sustain it.

To sum up,

menstrual hygiene should be given a high priority everywhere in the country. This is through improving wash facilities by providing bins, toilet paper cages, and soap. Guiding pain relief methods. Training the girls and women on the menstrual kit. Puberty education to both boys and girls. Love Uganda foundation and Tuyambe.org are looking forward to gifting pads to the schoolgirls under the project of keeping an orphan in school with its partners. Choose to volunteer with us under the health care program and the education program to help an orphan define his or her future. You can help through donations and sponsoring the child in school.

stop rape
Webmasters December 14, 2021 No Comments

RAPE

Rape is something that many people make fun of every day mostly men. They feel that in some way or the other they have won over the girl. Cases of rape in Uganda keep on rising day by day. Some are reported and some are not. Authorities are corrupted not to hear the cases so justice is not served for the victims. According to the annual crime report of the Uganda Police Force. It shows that 14,134 cases of defilement were reported in 2020.  Compared to 13,613 cases reported in 2019 giving an increase of 3.8%. Men, in the same way, are raped but they fear coming out to talk due to fear of how society will take it.

My Mind

So many questions come into my mind we I hear stories of rape and defilement. I wonder what goes around their mind, after they have done whatever they wanted how do they feel, do they sleep comfortably at night and wake up happy, do they feel the guilt in any way. I end up not finding answers to my questions maybe you can help me out find answers.

Definition

Rape according to the Penal Code Act of Uganda defines as any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent.  A person who has unlawful carnal knowledge with her consent.  But consent obtained by force, means of threats, intimidation of any kind, or by fear of bodily harm also commits the felony of rape.

The person who commits rape is liable to suffer death. Furthermore, any person who attempts to commit rape commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life with or without corporal punishment.

Comments made

Comments about those being raped are not promising that any time soon the problem will be solved. Members of parliament in Uganda openly blamed the victims of rape but not the perpetrators.

Male Ugandan politicians, for example, the former youth minister Ronald Kibuule said.  “I have talked to the police to see that if the woman is raped they look at how she was dressed”. Most youths dress up indecently but that doesn’t mean they must be raped or sexually harassed. But somebody needs to talk to the boys and men out there. They have to learn how to control their ego and emotions. It’s very right to say that women should dress up properly. But that will not stop the boys/men from acting that way.

There was a proposed law to burn the miniskirt as part of Anti-Pornography Law in Uganda. This was by Simon Lokodo who was the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity in 2014. But the parliament did not pass it. It was like blaming rape on improper clothing is blaming the victim for the crime.

Blaming the victim is saying women who dress in a way that attracts attention are responsible for what may happen to them. Some men and women ask questions like “why would you want to walk around with a miniskirt exposing your thighs?” miniskirts are legal in Uganda and a woman has the freedom of expression entitles her to decide what she wears.

Cases in Uganda.

The police in Uganda are investigating two cases of gang rape and defilement in Kabulasoke village in Kkingo Sub-county, Lwengo district. A group of youth on different occasions have defiled and raped girls in the area. The first victim of only 15 years of age was defiled on her way home from the wedding. Upon reaching the maize plantation she noticed that she was followed and decided to increase the speed. Immediately, she felt come chemicals being spread into her eyes and she could no longer see anything and her neck was tied. She could not tell how many were but they were more than one then she lost consciousness.

The second victim is also 15 years. She says that the Grandmother sent her away from home after delaying where she had gone. She had to deliver a holiday package to school. But after went to Father Bill’s church for evening prayers and reached home at 7 pm. Defiled by four men in the space of two days as she was looking for somewhere to sleep.

In the space of only two months, seven cases have been reported including where a four-year-old girl was raped. A position where suspects are arrested and later released puts the lives of the victims at risk. The law is supposed to protect women and girls against rape and sexual harassment. But with the police force not properly informed about the details of the law and other people (men) take the law into their hands. Ugandan women and girls cannot be safe.

To sum up,

the above two girls or even all the seven cases are likely to be affected with HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases. And they are physiologically affected. This calls for united efforts to address the problem at hand. Today it’s the other person but tomorrow might be you or one of your closet people.

When you choose to volunteer in Uganda, you will be able to offer guidance and counseling to the victims. As a volunteer, you will be in a position to create awareness to the people on the damage caused by rape to the victims. You will also be given a chance to interact with the people in the communities and any other kinds of volunteering. Also through donations and also sponsoring those to school come next year anything can help.

 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Gender-based violence refers to the harmful acts directed at an individual based on gender. This can be directed to both men and women who go through this but most women go through this around Africa. Gender-based violence takes many forms such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child marriage, and genital mutilation. Threats of violence, coercion, and manipulation are involved. 43% of the girls are married before the age of 18.

During COVID-19

One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner every day in Uganda. In Uganda, 22% of women experienced sexual violence during the lockdown. Gender-based violence cases increased to 3,280 with only 1,148 reported to the police. 3.3million Ugandans are exposed to adult domestic violence each year but the government of Uganda was more focused on treating COVID-19 and averting the spread.

Neglecting gender-based violence by the governments has fueled its effects on people. Limited funds were allocated to the fight. Education, health, and security were allocated supplementary budgets during the COVID-19. In addition, the priorities of governments to focus on the spread of COVID-19 and the elections preparations that happened in Uganda. Leaving women’s wellbeing aside. As a result of the death and injury of many girls and women who suffered sustained emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their husbands and relatives. The economic inequalities between men and women also have fueled the problem too.

East and Southern African regions have the highest rates of sexual violence against women and girls aged 15 to 24 years. Sexual violence against adolescents aged 15 and below is high in conflict and post-conflict countries. For example DRC, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

The persistence of harmful gender norms, alcohol use have maintained the high rate. And overall increased poverty, violence in urban slums areas and conflict areas.

Survivor-centered, ensuring the safety of the survivor, confidentiality that’s how Programs should be. And also respect for the survivor and her/ his right to informed choice.

Programs have been created in the presentation of gender-based violence  as discussed

  • Combating gender-based violence in schools in Benin. Its focus is to combat gender-based violence against girls in schools. Working with the Ministry of education to raise awareness of gender-based violence in schools and legal protections that exist and develop a support network. This will involve the students, Teacher Association members, health care workers, police, lawyers, and magistrates specializing in gender-based violence and social workers.
  • Promoting Women’s Legal Rights in Uganda. It focuses on legal education and assistance to women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. This is through the provision of paralegal training to community health workers, conducting legal aid outreach events, and training practicing lawyers on women’s legal rights. This will create a platform where women and girls can run to in case violence has occurred.
  • Women for action project in The Gambia. It seeks to accomplish three-goal that is: promotion and advocacy of legal reform for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Promotion and advocacy of legal reform of national women’s rights bill. And, the sensitization of civil society on the practice and implementation of women’s legal rights under local Muslim law.
  • Stigma Reduction and Empowerment for Women and Survivors of Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal is to advance the health, economic and social well-being of women. And girls survivors of sexual violence in rural villages in Walungu Territory Kivu.
  • Elimination of Gender-based violence in Liberia. This is to fight the continued marginalized and discrimination against women and girls in homes, schools, and the workplace and on a professional level.
  • Empowerment of teenage mothers and victims of sexual abuse. This is to empower and assist marginalized groups of young women and girls (teenage mothers and victims of sexual abuse).
  • Women’s Access to Justice: more effective resolution for GBV. And so many others.
About beliefs.

Women have been taken as second-class citizens. So it will take time for men to appreciate that women and girls have the same rights as men.

This is where you as a volunteer come in to support the good cause. So how are you going to help? Through volunteering in Uganda, you will be able to reach out to the affected people to offer help to them through the following ways.

It can be through our community outreach program where you get to interact with people in the communities.

Secondly, healthcare program where you will get a chance to offer medical help to the affected people in many ways.

Lastly, the orphanage program where you will be able to care for the orphans who have been orphaned due to Gender-based violence.

Gender-Based ViolenceAs I summarize, Gender-Based Violence must be addressed as soon as yesterday. .  Reporting the cases of violence to the concerned people: like police concerned NGOs and other organizations. Volunteering in Uganda with its partners Tuyambe.Org and Love Uganda Foundation looks forward to addressing Gender-Based Violence but it cannot do it alone. Let’s join hands through donations, joining the charities organized in communities, and also sponsoring children who are victims of Gender-Based Violence. When we raise our voices together we can communicate, and when we join hands we can help. It does not matter how big or small you can offer as long as it’s for the good cause. Choose to volunteer with us.

 

HIV
Webmasters December 6, 2021 2 Comments

WORD AIDS DAY

 

This is the day when the world comes together to create awareness about HIV/AIDS.  1st of December every year is World AIDS Day. The 2021 theme is “End inequalities. End AIDS.” But have thought of volunteering to help those with the disease or something like that choosing to volunteer in people affected with the disease I think it’s the best thing ever.

When the COVID-19 pandemic break out the infected people found it different access the health services. The country was in a continuous lockdown which made transport means on standstill. Therefore this made it hard for both the patients and doctors who work in that field and for the patients too. This made them more dependent on assistance. People had difficulty accessing HIV treatment slowed down as the treatment and also HIV testing services. Non-diagnosed new infections were on the rise. The newly diagnosed had not started treatment yet which broke the link to HIV treatment. The global increase in viral load testing slowed considerably. And lastly, closed mental health care support services.

The repeated visits to HIV clinics to collect medicines put at risk of contracting COVID-19. The pressure of dealing with both the HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic caused an impact on the mental health of people living with HIV.

The interrupted hive preventive programs. Preventing vertical transmission programs like Voluntary medical male circumcision, PrEP, and other prevention options were impacted. COVID-19 put many children out of school which has put children’s health. Most especially the girls at higher risk of contracting HIV. The harm reduction access for people who use drugs has been curtailed.

There has been an increase in gender-based violence during the lockdowns. Sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women continue on the streets, in public spaces, and online.

The risk of transmitting HIV to your partner is much higher when you stop taking medication since the viral load will go up. The economic fallout forced patients to make tough choices as some patients were prioritizing food over medicine. This was because taking drugs without eating would make one dizzy and sometimes bring stomach ulcer pains. So one has to wait when food is available and they swallow the meds.

During the COVID -19, some HIV caregivers were delivering food and drugs to their patients and some volunteers ride long distances around Kampala but not everyone could access these essentials.

So the question comes out “how can you volunteer?” And “what should you carry?” When you drink tea with them, hug them, showing them that you care for them you will not get infected with HIV. Choosing volunteers for HIV patients is simply encouraging them to take their drugs as recommended by the doctors this will enable them to remain on drugs and take them at the right time.

Secondly by encouraging them to eat a balanced diet and also providing them with food and related foods like fruits that help in building the immunity to fight other diseases.

Thirdly, you can volunteer by offering guidance and counseling to the patients. This is to help them regain confidence and also to know that somebody else cares for them. Many people when they are told that they have the disease they think they are going to die any time soon. Guidance and counseling restore hope to them in the picture that they can leave longer as those without the disease and that they can work as before.

By offering those clothes and other materials to the patients is also a sign of volunteering. Many affected people don’t have clothes and cannot access most of the basic needs of life. So by choosing to provide them with basic needs you are lying a hand.

In a nutshell, volunteering is the best way of restoring hope to the people affected with HIV as well as the impacts of COVID-19. When tested is the only way to know your status. To reduce the risk use condoms, ensure that your partner who is living with HIV is taking treatment. Furthermore use PrEP to prevent getting HIV if you have ongoing risk. Choose to volunteer, donations and do charities to help those living with HIV. We as Volunteering in Uganda our aim is “Work For A Cause” under our program of HIV/AIDS program. In partnership with Love Uganda Foundation, Tuyambe, and Love Uganda Safaris we can change people’s lives for the better.