Just like some other days that pass by without you really reflecting much about them; I guess this is an ideal description of my 14th February 2012. However, I latter found out that it was indeed a ‘special’ day. On a cool Saturday at the ice cream parlour in Kampala, just about one and a half weeks after the Valentine’s Day, I had this sort of lovely meet up with “her” but I would rather you don’t confuse it for a date! So in the middle of our chat, that question popped up! (So how was your Valentine’s Day?)
My mind quickly re-winded! I don’t have the right explanation as to why I was clad in my red t-shirt and black pair of trousers that morning. But I guess it was just the next set of clothes in line from my wardrobe, as it seems to be my method of choice for a day’s dress code. Of course everybody thought it was my jubilation style for a Valentines special! Much as I had a cold and fever, that day happened to be wonderful. It was one of the days for the Adolescent friendly clinic outreaches. This was a program that was planned to cover all the schools in Kyangwali refugee settlement. The target was for pupils aged 13 and above in the primary schools; meaning that the higher classes of P.5 to P.7 were enrolled for the program. In the secondary schools that happen to be only one in the settlement, all the students were targeted. Among the services we provided that day at Rwenyawawa primary school were; availing deworming tablets for the entire school, providing information materials (in form of exercise books with printed health messaged), holding talks on HIV/AIDS, Child rights, Reproductive health, Sanitation and hygiene with all the adolescents. We latter on screened the adolescent girls who were given a month long dose of Iron tablets (Ferrous sulphate and folic acid tablets), screened for pregnancy and were as well administered Tetanus Toxoid vaccine. The day was lovely as we chatted with these young boys and girls about various topics and their participation was wonderful! They raised their concerns, beliefs, fears and inquiries that we strongly believe are signs of advancement towards the behavior change process. I keenly noticed that this young generation is fairly informed on issues like HIV/AIDS, sexual behavior and other topics that we at times assume are unknown to them or at times we just fear to interact with them about. I guess that was partly an eye opener about sustainable and youth friendly services that can help to address and check on some health concerns in our communities. Protecting the “so far less affected but certainly highly at risk” populations really stood out for me on Valentines Day. It was such a perfect day to further my commitment towards the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge in addition to other health and social burdens in the developing world and the globe at large! hygiene promotion T-shirt and
Of course I could not help playing some romantic Mariah Carey, Celline Dion, Corrs, Lionel Riche and West Life jams as we headed back to the field office in the van. For it was a romantic day spent purposefully!
