If I kept it to myself - World YWCA

If I kept it to myself
ActionAid and Herbalists, all of whom provide
Antiretroviral (ARV) medication, treatment for
opportunistic infections, food and other material
support and services.
Through donations we received hair dryers and
now some members have opened hair salons.
We are in the process of negotiating sewing
machines with ActionAid. Coming from the same
area as my peers in the youth club, I am able
to interact with them freely and mobilise them
for trainings and sensitisation workshops. The
training and workshops are not open to parents,
community and religious leaders, or elders. In
this way, the young girls feel comfortable and
safe to express themselves among their peers
who understand the kind of situations, which
drive them to such work.
We want to change the lives of many more young
people engaged in sex work through support,
training and care. So far, 10 out of the 70
Tusitukirewamu members have chosen to take
up new opportunities. These young women have
gone for testing, declared their HIV status, and
now have a career in tailoring and hairdressing.
Many more have decided to go for HIV tests.
Continued sensitisation on behavioural change
is a long process but I hope Tusitukirewamu will
have an impact on my peers.
50
Born: 1979
Country: Uganda
Organisation: YWCA
Uganda
Campaigns for:
alternative livelihoods
for sex workers and at
risk young girls and
women who are HIV
positive