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Straight Talk, Nov/Dec 2010
1
  Vo l.16  No. 5  No v / Dec  2 01 0
Can I be infected if I have sex withan HIV positive person and I hurry to take ARVs? Atiko J, Kalaki SS, Soroti
 You are
playing with fire and wondering whether youcan get burnt! You will get burnt. HIV is spread mainly  through sex. Sometimes doctors use HIV drugs (ARVs) to decrease the chances of infection. This is PostExposure Prophylaxis (PEP). But this does not meanrisking. We do this in emergencies like when one has beenraped or defiled by an HIV positive person, prickedby a needle that was used on someone positive or involved in an accident. But one can still get HIV.
 Dr P Semugoma, International HospitalKampala
 HIV BASICS
 S
traight Talk 
workedwith 15 studentsas journalists for a day,from five schools inKitgum, in Sept 2010. They interviewed fellow students and wrotestories about parent- childrelationship.
Oyet Denish, 18, S3,Kitgum ComprehensiveCollege, says:
“I relatewell with my parents. When I got a girlfriend, Itold them about it. They advised me to abstainuntil after my studies. Itook their advice.”
By Michael O,Kitgum High School
So you wish your parents would talk to you not only about good grades but alsoabout your changing  body, relationships,sex and answer your many questions.
ne of our readers
Kirabo Olive, Gay-aza High School wrote:
"traightTalk,  want to know  why during adoles-cence girls and boysbecome unruly.f ask my mother, she will not explain welllike you do?"
 We replied Kirabo's letter.
he wrote back:  complement you fordoing a great job.  like the way youtalk about things we teenagerscan’t even think of asking or tellingour parents. f all parents couldanswer the many questions from young people the way you do,the world would be a betterplace." And what do parents say?traight Talk caught up with irabo's mum,
Comfort
 
Piwang, alawyer
 and shesaid: "t washard talking to my daughters about sex andrelationships.  asked my mother to talk tothem. But later  started talking.one of my daughters has evershared with me their life.  would wish my daughters to be free withme, and all teenagers free with theirparents.”Most parents are life Comfort. They  find it hard to talk with you but wish you would start the talk.
Make the first move. tarttalking with your parents.Make them your best friends first. et this be one of your ew ear’s resolutions.
Edith Mukisa, counsellor andmother of two boys says: "
Talking withparents makes youless likely to engagein risky behaviourlike early sex thatexpose you to / Ts and unwantedpregnancies. hareideas freely, discussproblems and get goodadvice from parents."
 
 S
raight Talk 
wokewith 15 studentsas journalists for a dfrom five schools inKitgum, in Sept 201
 
 They interviewed fellstudents and wrotestories about parent-relationship.
 yet Denish, 18, S
sa
"When he said he loved me, I felt the vibe too. And when he asked for sex,I easily gave in. I learnt the hard way that love doesn't protect. That firsttime I got HIV and also got pregnant. Are you in love? That is great!However, choose good love. If someone tells you that I love you, say:'Thank you for loving me. If you really love me, let us go and test together.'Don’t let your feelings drive you todo something very stupid. Testing together for HIV is testing the love youhave for each other.Lately I don’t mix life with feelingsbecause I can put myself or someonein danger. Let us come together and fight HIV."
 
Jacky Alesi 24, isa volunteer with Straight Talk Foundation.
Jacky has been sharing her story of living with HIV in the Positive Diary column as Sonia since June 2010.Read more about her story on page 3.
Tame your feelings. Always test together forHIV before that first sex.
'JOURNALISTS' AT WORK:
 Omara Isaac and Komakech,Kitgum High School
Kirabo
 
Straight Talk, Nov/Dec 2010
2
Just like any relationship, building a goodrelationship between you and your parentsrequires commitment from either side.
dith Mukisa, says you can enrich your relationship‡5HDGDIDYRULWHERRNRUSOD\JDPHVWRJHWKHU‡(DWWRJHWKHUDVDIDPLO\‡7DNHDZDONDURXQGWKHQHLJKERUKRRG‡$OORZWLPHIRU\RXUSDUHQWWRask questions‡$QVZHUKRQHVWO\‡5HVSHFWWKHLUFKRLFHV‡6D\WKDQN\RX‡
how them
love and care
 
KRRG
Our journalists in Kitgumhad nice time with fellowstudents from 7 schools.They interviewed themabout how they relate with their parents. This is theirsay:
 Anana , itgum rogressiveCollege, 1, says:“ My fatherpassed away.  stay with my mother.  help her to dig toraise my fees.  share with heranything be it good or bad."
 By Akot Sharon 17, S3, Issoke Memorial College
 Auma C, 15, 1, itgumrogressive Collegechool, who wants to be apolicewoman says:“ love my  father most. e works hardto ensure he pays our school fees and visits us at school.Mum restricts our movementand she does not allow usto associate with friends shedoesn’t know.”
 By Odong John Bosco, 20, S5, Kitgum HS
d:
Your mother simply wantsthe best for you. It is safer for  your parents to know your  friends.
 A student of estland,itgum says:“ ’m closer tomy mother than father. ediscuss issues concerningmy life like boyfriend. t ishard to reveal such a thingto my father. e is rude andquarrelsome."
 By Micheal
Parents may seem notto be there or give youtime to talk with themas explained by 
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Mwaka J,Kitgum HS
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 You can find the right timeto talk with them as toldin these stories:
Weekends
 Aling J, 17, S3, St BakhitaGirls SS, Kitgum, says:
“My mother is a politician. ediscuss home and personalissues over weekends. healso provides us with all thebasic needs so that we are notreminded of our beloved dad who passed away.”
 By Amony Monica, S4, Oxfard College
After gardening
“ talk to my parents afterlunch or after gardening. e talk about school, the subjects’m offering, and how  can stay safe in this era of /A.”
 Kikongo Dickson, 17, S3, St Joseph’s Vvumba SS, Kiboga
Doing work together
Grace Anema, 17, S3, St Bakhita Girls SS, Kitgum, says:
 “e are 21 children in our family.  talk to my mum when ’mdoing work with her like cooking or washing clothes. he is my 
Kitgum HS, says:
“My father waskilled by akwena.My mum likes me somuch. he pays my  fees, feeds me well,and we speak openly to each other. erespect each otherbut we don’t fear eachother. hen ’m atschool, we talk overthe phone.  call herin the evening after work.”
 By Danish Jackson, KHS
Not tired
 Anana Nancy, Kitgum Progressive College,16, says:
“ stay with my aunt.  normally talk to her when she is not so tired.”
 By Akot Sharon 17, S3, Issoke Memorial College
Meal time
 Nyakagabo T, 18, VvumbaSS, Kiboga, says
“ respectmy parents. ne time,  was suspended from schoolbecause of fighting.  toldmum about it at lunch time.he advised me not to fightagain.”
Parents are
a blessing 
Find the right
  time to talk 
 
trbstin w 
 Ja
N
 An
7 KH+HDGPLVWU HVVRI 6W%DNKLWD*LU OV·66.LWJ XP
Sr  Al g a Alur  say s:
´7 DONWRy our  par ents Z KHQWKH\ DU HQRWVREXV\ RU WLU HG ar ents spend WKHZ KROHGD\ Z RU NLQJ 7 KH\ PD\ QRWJ LY Hy ou attention Z KHQWKH\ DU HEXV\ *LY HWKHPWLPHWRU HVWDQGWDONWRWKHPODWHU 7 KH\ Z LOOOLVWHQ%Hclose and open to y our  par ents”
rolemodel. he is a hardworker”
 By Amony Monica, S4, OxfardCollege
Cavin Acan, 17, S3, Kitgum Integrated College, says:
“’m in good terms with mum. talk to her about my school,personal needs like pads and what to do when  experiencepainful periods.  talk to her when she is not very busy”
 By Akot Sharon 17, S3, Issoke Memorial College
After work 
Mwaka John, 20, S5,
some students. This is whatthey said. "My parents are tooprotective. hen  am out with friends, they think we aredoing bad stuff.  want themto understand that know whatever  do. am not careless."
 Phyllis Tumusiime, 16
 
d: 
 Parents worry about your  safety. Ease their worries bytelling them where you aregoing and who you will bewith.
" talk with them openly. They listen and encourage me tospeak out my mind.
 Doreen Ayabale, 17, S5
Pastor Andrew Mwenge,Kampala Baptist church:
 arents are a blessing to you.“onour your father and yourmother...”
 Exodus 20:12
. Accept your parents regardlessof their status, their skills, orbehaviour.Communicate firmly butrespectfully.hen a parent does not listen to you, find a responsibleadult to help you. ometimes, you may annoy your parents.Take responsibility to seek their forgiveness. hen a parentis violent and there is a risk of violence, seek help from other family members, clan leaders, Cs or olice.”
Onek, Kitgum HS Ed: Try to catch up with your dad at the right moment.
yet  is a student of itgumComprehensive College:e says:“ appreciate thebrilliant advice  get from my  father. e says there is time for everything and everythingshould be done at the righttime. ou can't serve twomasters at a go and excel in what you are doing."
 By Micheal Onek, Kitgum HS
hile in ukungiri,
Straight Talk
visited
 Immaculate Heart  Nyakibale Girls SS,
talked to
Akot Sharon, Issoke Memorial,being interviewed by KidegaGeoffrey, Kitgum HS during journalist for a day training.
 
Straight Talk, Nov/Dec 2010
3
 
Straight Talk, Nov/Dec 2010
3
 
Some childrenare orphans. They struggle to look after themselves andtheir siblings. Butthis should not stop you from chasing  your goals
.You can still succeed.Work hard at school.Respect peopletaking care of you. Dosomething to earn aliving without beingexploited.
 Aneno P Akena, 17,Kitgum, says:“
I live with my aunt. Duringholidays, I sell maize,and tomatoes. I usethe money to pay  fees, buy books, foodand clothes. Somemen want to use theirmoney to trap me intosex. I always refuse."
By K Akwino, S2, 17.Issoke Memorial, SS,KitgumC Oho, 15, S1,Kitgum IntegratedCollege, says:
“I know of an orphan who works as a porter at aconstruction site . Heuses the money to pay his fees.”
By Mwaka J 20, S5, Kitgum HS Ayella MartinTabo, a counsellor at Kitgum YouthCentre says: 
“If youare an orphan, you donot need to have sexto get
 what you want
as was the case forthis 17 year old boy inKitgum:
“
 I’m an orphan, I live with my aunt in Padibe. She doesn’t havemoney. I work in a bar toraise fees .I had sex witha sugar mummy to get money.
”
Sex exposes to HIV/ STDs. Learn to makemoney in a safer way 
Counsellor Ayella  losthis father when he wasin . " could dig andlay bricks to raise my  fees and for my siblings. studied on an empty stomach but  didn'tgive up.  completed my studies. 'm now a happy man because of hard work.f you can’t raise fees,make use of free primary and secondary education.ou can also get help froms supporting childrenin your district."
Talk to a trusted adultfor help. Take care.
A will is a document in which a person stateshow to manage and distribute property orwealth after his or her death.
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Grabbed our land
 
M John, 20, S5, Kitgum HS, says:
 ´0\IDWKHUZDVNLOOHGGXULQJWKH/DNZHQDZDU6RPHUHODWLYHVJUDEEHGRXUODQGVWD\ZLWKP\PRWKHU·VUHODWLYHVJURZFURSVDQGOD\EULFNZLWKPXPWRUDLVHPRQH\IRUIHHVDQGXSNHHSµ
By
 
J Danish, Kitgum HSOkello B, 17, S3, Kitgum Integrated College: says:
“OLYHZLWKP\EURWKHUV7KH\PLVWUHDWPH6RPHWLPHVWKH\GRQRWJLYHPHIRRG$OWKRXJKRXUIDWKHUOHIWVRPHPRQH\RQKLVDFFRXQWIRUSD\LQJP\IHHVP\EURWKHUVDWHLWµ
By
 
 S Johnson 16, S3 Boma, KitgumComfort Piwang,
 DODZ\HUVD\V$ZLOOLVDJRRGJXLGLQJGRFXPHQWWFRXOGVDYH\RXIURPVXFKWURXEOHVWVWDWHVWKHKHLUDQGKRZSURSHUW\VKRXOGEHPDQDJHG
Encourage parents
 to write a will
 
The diary of a young positive
onia  
 Jacky Alesi
 ), 24 hasbeen sharing her story of living with  in this col-umn since une 2010. helearnt that she had  in2008. " lost hope and saw the world coming down onme.  felt like killing myself and rest in peace. hen accepted my  status,this changed.  realised that had to continue living with in me. started taking As in2009 when my C4 was 400. As have kept mehealthy. They have becomepart of me. Am lucky to be getting As. ou see, As thatgovernment can buy arenot enough for all people
DO YOU HAVEQUESTIONS FOR SONIA? Send them to PO BOX,22366, KAMPALA
 W o r k  i n g   t o  e a r n  m o n e y  i s  n o t  o n l y  f o r  S t r a i g  h t  t a l k  e r s  w i t h o u t  p a r e n t s.  Y o u  c a n  m a k  e  m o n e y  w i t h o u t  b e i n g   e x p l o i t e d.  A  r e  y o u  m a k  i n g   m o n e y ?  T e l l  u s  w h a t  y o u  a r e  d o i n g   t o  m a k  e  m o n e y.  H o w  a r e  y o u  u s i n g   y o u r  m o n e y ?
 
 W r i t e  t o  P O  B O X   2 2 3 6 6,  K  a m p a l a
 n  t o  e a r n  m o n e y  i s
 
  h t  t a l k  e r
Speak out and say what you want and what you mean. Be honest. Be a good listener and  give others chance to talk. Ask what you don’t understand. Talking is the best way to communicate. It makes people understand you better and know what you want. 
 who should be on As.
Now enough of my story.Over to your questions:Naigino Amoya,Hill View College, Pallisa,asked: “Sonia, did your parents take you back toschool after the death of  your son and when youtested HIV positive?”
es, my parents are still very supportive and caring.They took me back to school. completed  and joinedan institute where  did acourse in uidance and Coun-selling.
I have a girl friend who is HIVPositive. Ilove her somuch andI want her to be my future wife. Can I marry her? Isaac, Nyangilia SS,Koboko
Thank you for admittingthat you love her despiteher  status. ince you want her to be your future wife discuss your futureplans and whether youshould continue with the re-lationship. t is important toprevent  infection andre-infection. f you make adecision to have sex, usecondoms.
CD4 count is the amount of whiteblood cells per cubic millimetre of blood. It helps doctors know whento give ARVs to people with HIV. Normal CD4 is between 500-1500cells per cubic millimetre of blood.
Speak out 
C Piwang
Ayella Martin Tabo
of 00

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