Uganda Pioneers' Association

'YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO COMBAT HIV/AIDS BY SENSITISING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE WEST NILE REGION'
Arua Branch
2nd June - 23rd June

Project back ground

The diverse multicultural population of West Nile calls for thorough sensitisation and awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS. The region has had a long spell of civil wars and rebellion and has a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Young people being highly sexual active, prone to early marriages and sexual abuse are one of the most affected groups of the population. In lieu of the above most youth are looking forward to western life style that is exaggerated in porno films and the bad culture needs to be addressed.

Young people traditionally play a very important role in the peri-urban areas and rural villages as they are the main source of manual labour. Therefore HIV/AIDS has a bigger effect on the livelihood of local communities as well as individuals.

UPA Arua Branch has decided to take up the challenge and combat HIV/AIDS with several small scale initiatives. Arua Branch has hosted radio talk shows, home visits and dramas about behavioural change, stigma and ways to deal with HIV/AIDS and entered into working relationship with other local institutions and NGOs.

UPA Arua Branch wishes to use the opportunity of the work camp; Young people: "Act Now to Stop HIV/AIDS in West Nile", to scale up old initiatives as well as designing and testing new methods and activities. We are looking forward to find solutions together to combat the challenge of HIV/AIDS.

Project objectives

Creating awareness among the youth in Arua district about HIV/Aids and STI/STD and reproductive health
Harmonising the cultures that are promote the spreading of HIV/AIDS
Explaining the roles of youth in development by sharing ideas through intercultural cooperation and interaction with the local community
Showing the impact of voluntary labour through theatre

Expected results

That the non-compliant culture that promotes HIV/AIDS will be harmonised in the local community
That parents and guardians are empowered to discuss freely about sex education with children
That youth to youth sharing is encouraged and promoted in the local community
That serious thinking is invoked and solution found through discussions that creates positive behavioural change
That UPA Arua office is painted and is more appealing
That the vision of voluntary work is spread in the local community

Activities

There shall be forum theatre presentations to the communities and school or villages
Out reach programmes to the villages together with partners like Marie Stopes Clinic International
Visit to Taso Arua and Medicines Sans frontiers (MSF) to offer voluntary help to clients
Organising Picture Painting event through art that depict the effects of HIV/AIDS in the society
Organising and involving sports event like volley ball, Football to promote health
Cleaning and painting the UPA Arua Branch Office and the compound

Cultural and educational visits

There shall be music and theatre. All the tribes in West Nile are rich in their culture and heritage
Campers shall visit member youth organisations that deal in similar fields and provide youth friendly services

Who qualifies to participate

We encourage participants who are dynamic, tolerant, social and able to handle demanding situations.

Any youth from the age of 14 and above can qualify participate with basic knowledge of English. Women and girls are encouraged to participate as they are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
Artists, scientists, social workers and students are all welcome for this camp.

Location

UPA Arua Branch is located in Arua in West Nile region of Uganda, close to the borders of Sudan and Congo. The area is characterised by a high level of diversity and a variety of ethnic groups live here. The climate is hot and dry with heavy down pours in the rainy season. The main economic activities are agriculture and tobacco growing. Extensive trade with Sudan and Congo takes place in Arua town and nearby Kobokko. The West Nile is infamously known as the birth place of the former president of Uganda, Idi Amin.

The work camp will be situated within Arua town in the western part about 1km from the town centre. The outreaches will take place in various other smaller trading centres and villages around Arua.

Health services

There is the Regional Hospital for West Nile, and other private health centres approximately 1 km near the work camp site.

The host community

The host of the work camp is The Pioneer Youth Partners who are also members of UPA Arua Branch. They comprise of different ethnic groups of the West Nile region like Lugbara, Alur, Acholi, Kakwa and Madi but most speak English well, some Swahili, little French and Arabic are also spoken by the Sudanese members and students. The entire group is rich in their culture and traditional heritage.

Participation

We encourage participation of all races in the world and religion as well as encouraging sharing of information from all people of walk of life. We can accommodate up to 10 international volunteers and 10 national members excluding the hosts.

Water Source

There is both piped water at the site and bore hole pumps in a distance of 500m

Climate

The Climate towards the work camp is on average approximately 28°C, warm, windy and dry. Bring good shoes and sandals. Don�t forget a hat or buy one at the local market. Women and girls should bring knee length skirts or loose trousers. Men should bring long trousers that are presentable during outreaches.

Accomodation

Local sleeping mats made out of papyrus are available but work campers should bring their own mosquito nets and bedding.

Meals

Volunteers will divide themselves in groups to prepare own meals using charcoal and firewood. There will be a variety of local foods, from fruits to roots.