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Vol 14 No 5 July/Aug 2011

What makes you

Many things make us happy. You feel happy because of who you are, what you do, what others think of you or do for you.
So what makes you happy?

happy?
clothes, a nice bag and flowers. I felt very happy. Happiness starts with you. Because you are happy others will like to be near you. So you will have friends. Teacher Komakech Dominic, Ajuri PS, Gulu, says: Knowing what you are good at makes you happy. Learn your strengths and develop your talents. If you feel good about yourself, you: Take good care of yourself Relate well with others. Get good friends Stay safe from early sex. Work hard to perform well.

Duni Moding, Kawempe Decorous PS, Kampala Accept who you are. Believe in yourself.

Good grades

Ogwal Emmanuel, 14, P7, of St Kizito PS, Lira says: I feel good when I perform well. I have never gone beyond the 5th position since P4. I hope to get aggregate 5 in PLE. I am confident. I revise my books every day.

of joy. source a iends is , Soroti aving fr ther Hilders PS H f Fa Pupils o

I am beautiful

Uoyem Juliet, 13, Bright Valley PS, Gulu says: I feel high because of my looks. I am small, dark skinned with a black hair and a small waist. I remember, at 5 years old, our neighbor chose me to be the flower girl at her wedding. I dressed in white

Regardless of who you are, where you come from, what your friends say, you are all special children.

i, say: S, Sorot kes us happy. gP ma Boardin a Girls d helping them ader fM n Pupils o od to others a o Being g

HIV CORNER Blood transfusion is safe

Blood transfusion is a simple procedure in which blood is given to someone to make up for a loss of blood. Hospitals use blood transfusions to help people who are injured, have surgery, or being treated for other diseases that affect the blood.
Transfusions are usually given through a tiny tube that is inserted into a vein with a small needle. Each year, about 180,000 units of blood is needed in Uganda. The blood used for transfusions comes from people who volunteer to donate their blood. Some people worry about getting diseases from infected blood. But the blood for transfusion is safe. Doctors carefully test all donated blood to make sure that it is safe. If blood has HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, West Nile virus or other infections, it is destroyed. Uganda blood bank collects, test, and store blood.

Dr Agolor Cuthbert, Mildmay Center, Kampala

2 .Young Talk, July/Aug 2011

travelled Young Talkand talkedto Gulu, Lira, Oyam, Soroti and Dokolo to

Why am I happy?
Friendships
Apiyo Sharon, 13, Pakwelo PS, Gulu Boarding PS, Soroti, says: Having friends makes me feel great. When I fell sick, friends visited me. I share my problems with them and they advise me correctly. I tell my friends to avoid bad groups that take alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or like escaping to discos at night. our village told me that I was beautiful. When I told my mother, she said it is natural and normal but does not mean having sex.

children about what makes them happy. Being smart, having friends, behaving well are some of the things that make them happy. Read on:

Respectful

Being at school

Okwir Daniel, 13, P6, St Kizito PS, Lira, says: I take myself lucky to be at school. I feel happy when my parents work hard to pay my school fees. Many children do not have a chance to attend school. My dream is to be a teacher and set up a school to provide education to poor but intelligent children.

Behaving well

Kiyay Mary, 12, P7, Madera Girls Boarding PS, Soroti, says: I feel great because I am always smart. Teachers and friends admire me. When I wear the school uniform, it fits me well. At home I wear nice casual dresses or jeans to look nice.

Smartness

Ogwang Fred, 15, P6, Agwata PS, Dokolo, says: My parents and teachers are proud of me. I listen to their advice. I dont join bad groups. At our school the Police arrested a boy for stealing a bicycle. He was released after his parents bought a new bicycle for the owner. Acola Rebecca, Agulurude PS, Oyam, says: I feel happy. I share my problems with my parents. This makes me confident. One time a boy in

Agella Ariong, 14, P7, Pioneer PS, Soroti, says: I am a prefect and I do respect fellow pupils. I feel happy when they too respect me. It means they trust and believe in me.

Free with parents

Awezi Juma, 13, Kamudini Corner PS, Oyam, says: I feel great when I sell chapatti and make profits. I sell a chapatti at Shs300. I make Shs2000 profit daily. I use some of the money to buy books, uniform and shoes. I save the balance in my piggy bank. I am glad that I dont depend much on my parents.

Making money

Naava Anisha, 13, P7, JesJonny Boarding PS, Mukono, says:

I reflect on my happy moments to forget the sad moments.

Og Fre wan d g

o Tonya Pupil of Kaisa, Hoima PS, Buseruk

ar uel gw man O Em

Apio Sharon

Angella Ariong

Okwir Daniel

are wondering why Your body is growing. You er it is OK. That is th you are different and whe e penis and breasts. th normal. Lets talk about

Know your body

My penis is small and friends laugh at me. Am I OK? SD, 15, Troas PS, Jinja

Breasts

14, Kaiso PS, Hoima Yes, you will. Some girls begin to develop breast at age 8 or 9. Others start much la ter. Some girls breasts grow slowly. For others the growth is very quick. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. There is nothing you can do about what your breasts look like. Just remember: All breast sizes big or small are good for feeding babies. Also know that one breast is usually bigger than the other breast.

I have small breasts but my friends have big ones. Will I ever breast feed in future? Girl,

Penis

Hello SD, the size of the penis varies from male to male. Like there are tall and short people, there are big and small penises. Just remember: All penises, big or small is a right size. When you grow up, you will be able to have sex and get children. These do not depend on penis size or shape.

Growing breasts is a sign of growing up. Dont feel embarrassed. Most girls come to like their breasts. Dr Alex Kakoraki, Murchison Bay Hospital, Kampala

Dealing with sad moments

Listen to parents
Norbert Mao, 12, P6, Laroo PS, Gulu, says: There is a time father delayed to pay my fees. I was annoyed. But he explained that customers had delayed to pay him. I listened and understood. Amodoi Joseph, 14, P4, Nakatunya PS, Soroti, says: I like sharing problems with friends. One time when I lost a school text book, I feared being sent away. But when I talked to a friend, she advised me to apologize to the teacher. I apologized and the teacher forgave me.

3 Young Talk, July/Aug 2011.

You cannot be happy at all times. There are sad moments in life. For example, when you lose a person you love, you feel sad. Sometimes your sister, brother or a friend may annoy you. So how do you handle such bad moments?

Talk to friends

Sorry cools me

I cry
Awezi Juma, 13 Kamudini, feels great when works to earn money.

Oloya Richard, St Maurits PS, Gulu, says: When someone says sorry, I feel better. I remember when a friend damaged my stylish bicycle. I got very angry. He had taken it without my permission. When he said sorry and explained that he got an accident, I forgave him.

Layado Denise, 11, P6, Unifat PS, Gulu, says: One day my sister lied to our parents that I like fighting. This was not true. I am humble and respect others. I was so angry. I closed myself in the bedroom and cried. I even slept off. When I woke up, I was OK.

I am assertive

Read books

Akwir Janet,14, Gulu Public PS, says: When I get annoyed, I pick an interesting novel, book or revise my notes. Sometimes boys provoke me to fight but I dont have time for useless things.

Atigo Judith, 14, P7, Madera Girls Boarding PS, Soroti, says: There is a boy who demanded sex. I told him I was not ready for sex. I said early sex poses many dangers and I was not ready to become pregnant or drop out of school. The boy used a flowery language but I refused. I have a big dream in life.

Feeling sad
Getting angry is very normal. But learn to control your anger. Counsellor Stella Magomu, Centre for Transforming Generations, says: Do not fight Report the person annoying you to your teachers or parents. Talk to someone you trust such as a friend, a teacher and a parent about your feelings. Walk away from the person annoying you. Take deep breath and count from one to ten. This helps you to calm down.

Science corner:
Mudondo Hellen,13, P7, Namirembe PS, Budaka, says During my periods I experience too much pain. What can I do? Sorry, about the painful experiences. This happens when the uterus muscles contract to push out blood through the vagina. The pain varies from female to female. Most women do not feel pain. Some the pain is mild and stops shortly. Others the pain is severe.

Painful periods

Reduce the pain by: Taking a warm birth Exercising regularly. Drinking a lot of juice. If all these fail, see a doctor immediately for help. Also, see a doctor, if: You have smelly vaginal discharge. Your period lasts longer than a week. A normal period lasts 4-7 days. You over bleed or change pads after every 1 hour. You take 3 months without experiencing your periods. Dr Alex Kakoraki, Murchison Bay Hospital Kampala

Dear Teachers
Reading Young Talk keeps children safe from early sex, early pregnancies and STDs/ HIV or re-infection with HIV. Get for your pupils Young Talk. Read it with them. Head-teachers, get a teacher to be in charge of Young Talk and give it to P5, P6 and P7 pupils.

Help your pupils to read Young Talk Teachers like Monica Buuza of Namukanaga PS, Iganga, is the Young Talk teacher. Monica, we salute you. Keep up the good work. Encourage your pupils to write to Young Talk, 22366, Kampala.

Young Talk, July/Aug 2011

Dear Young Talk

P.O.Box 22366 Kampala

Can a girl get pregnant if she urinates immediately after having sex? Katusiime Proscovia, 14, P7, Kyamutwe PS, Kiboga Yes, a girl can get pregnant. The vagina and the urethra (urine tube) are near each other but different. So, urinating after sex, does not wash out the sperms. Also, the bladder that carries urine and the womb where the baby grows from when the egg is fertilized are different. Any time a girl has sex, she can become pregnant. Say NO to sex until you are at least 20 years. Do women living with HIV experience menstruation periods? Kabugho Rosette, 13, P7, Kabatunda PS, Kasese Yes, women living with HIV experience menstruation periods just like any other woman. Menstruation is when a girls or a womans body release blood from her womb through the vagina when the egg is not fertilized by the sperm. It is not a disease. It is a normal and natural sign of growing up and being a woman. HIV weakens the immune system. If you are living with HIV, take your medicine as advised by your doctor.

Are there condoms for women, Katongole Idi, 14, P7, St Zoe Day and Boarding PS, Mubende Yes, there are condoms for women. They are available in health centers for adults. Wait to have sex until you are at least 20 years, and finished studies for a better future. Counsellors: Dr Paul Semugoma, International Hospital, Kampala; Deborah Mbulanyina and Jane Nambafu, Straight Talk Foundation

Pupils of Young Cranes PS, Kiboga: Say no to bad touches. If anyone touches you on your private parts, report them to a trusted adult like teachers or parents.

to Young Talk, PO Box, 22366, Kampala.

Do you like sports? Tell us what sports you do. Why do you like it? What have you achieved from that sports? Write

Quiz

Pupils of Nalweyo PS, Kibaale, say: We report bad behaviour to our teachers.
Can I get vaginal infections if i sleep at night in my knickers? Naguna Dinah, 14, P7, Namirembe Boarding PS, Budaka Sleeping in knickers may not cause infections. But it is not necessary to sleep in knickers unless you are in your menstruation period. If knickers are dirty and damp, they may cause vaginal infections. Always wear clean and dry knickers. Wash your knickers with soap and dry them under the sun. Cotton material is the best for knickers.

13, P5, Agape Nursery Junior PS, Mbale (Buduuda) I am an

Advise

NB

orphan. I stay with my uncle. He loves young girls. He gives me gifts to give the girls so that I connect them. But I have refused.

Advice

to Aujo Gestina

A girl beats her because pupils and teachers like her. Whenever Aujo reports her to the teachers, she denies. Over 50 you advised Aujo.
Here is what some of you said:
Take witnesses, they will explain your case to the teachers. Namutebi Vennesa, St Agnes, Naggalama, Mukono Dont walk alone. Get more friends they will protect you. Faith Busingye, 13, P6, Kiswa PS, Kampala If the teachers fail to help you, talk to your parents, for help. Patricia Nyadoi, 12, P6, Hindocha PS, Bugiri Do not fight her. Report her to the senior woman teacher. Aboko Brenda, 13, P7, Lira PS Talk to a trusted elder, parents who will inform your head-teacher of the problem. Taliru Brendah, 13, P7, Ediofe PS, Arua

Lightning
Recently, lightning has been killing many people in Uganda.
While lightning can strike anywhere at any time, following these safety guidelines can reduce the risk of injury or death. When thunder roars, GO INDOORS! Once inside, avoid direct contact with water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from electronic appliances like TVs, radios and computers. Inside a vehicle, roll the windows up, and avoid contact with radios
Publisher: Straight

or ignition. Stop all activities. If outside, squat down with you feet together. Place hands over ears to reduce hearing damage from thunder. Avoid being close to other people. Be five meters apart from each other. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences and machinery. Dont hide under trees, in open buildings, open vehicles, tents and boats.

Source: US National Lightning Safety

Institute

Report and keep reporting to different people until you get help.

Civil Society Fund

Talk Foundation 4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, PO Box 22366, Kampala, Tel: 031-262030/1, E-mail: info@straighttalkfoundation.org, President: C Watson Executive Director: S Ajok Print Director: T Agutu, Editorial Manager: M Akello, Editors: F Ouma, P Kiwuuwa, J Nafula, J Abongowath Chief Designer: M Kalanzi, Designers: GB Mukasa, Allan B Dentine ,G. Turibamwe Funded by