SUPPORT HEALTH NEEDS OF 1000 ADOLESCENTS IN UGANDA

Equipping Young People with Life-Saving Health Skills

During the past quarter , our project “Support Health Needs of 1,000 Adolescents in Uganda” continued making meaningful progress in improving adolescent health through education, HIV prevention, and community engagement.

This quarter, we reached 214 adolescents (118 girls and 96 boys) through school and community-based sessions focused on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV prevention, and life skills development. Many young people in our communities lack access to accurate health information, leaving them vulnerable to early pregnancy, HIV infection, and harmful myths. Through interactive discussions, adolescents were able to ask questions, share experiences, and gain knowledge that empowers them to make informed decisions about their health and future.

A major highlight of the quarter was the growing confidence among adolescents to access HIV testing services. 62 young people voluntarily received HIV testing and counseling, and all tested HIV negative. For many of them, it was their first time testing, and they expressed relief and pride in knowing their status and learning how to maintain healthy behaviors.

To ensure that the impact of the project continues beyond our direct sessions, we also strengthened youth leadership. During this quarter, 10 additional peer educators were trained, bringing the total number of trained peer educators to 15. These young leaders are now playing an important role in their schools and communities by guiding discussions about reproductive health, encouraging their peers to seek health services, and promoting responsible decision-making.

Community involvement also remains a key part of our work. We held two community dialogue meetings with parents, teachers, and local leaders, creating a safe space to discuss adolescent health challenges and break the silence surrounding sexual and reproductive health topics. These conversations are helping to reduce stigma and encourage families to support adolescents in accessing accurate health information and services.

One adolescent shared during a session:

"Before the training, I was afraid to go for an HIV test because I didn’t understand why it was important. After learning more, I decided to test and now I encourage my friends to know their status too."

These stories remind us why this work matters. When adolescents receive the right knowledge and support, they gain the confidence to protect their health and make positive life choices.

With the continued support of our partners and donors, we are steadily moving toward our goal of reaching 1,000 adolescents with essential health education and services. Each session, each conversation, and each young person empowered brings us closer to building a healthier and more informed generation.

We are grateful for your support in helping us create safer futures for adolescents in Uganda.