WSWM Personal Testimonies

I joined the World Starts With Me (WSWM) in 2012 but I didn’t know that it was a free gift any person would wish for. The World Starts With Me, the moment one hears about it can really wonder what it is all about but reality is its real meaning is embedded within it and only individuals who can scratch their brains to further understand its meaning can be in position to witness the fruits in it and I am one of those individuals who is now smiling because of the World Starts With Me.

By the time I joined the WSWM, I knew that the power lied in my hands to create the great person I want to see in myself but I had little hope and most of the times I was moving in the worst past experiences. Whenever I got a challenge I would think that it was the end of the world but on the first time I was called to be trained as a peer educator Mr. Kakinda Daniel gave us an assignment “My World“ and this assignment highly changed my perception about most things.

Before I joined the club, I used not to believe in myself even when someone appreciated me. I would think that they were being sarcastic. It was during several workshops I attended that I begun to realize that I am worth something important. I didn’t know that I can be of great importance in the lives of many but through the WSWM club, I realized that even though one grew up in the word of negative compliments, out there are so many people who can see the potential in you. Because of WSWM, I have been in position to positively impact on so many lives of the young people through jewelry making using beads as well as making proper liquid soap.

As a person, I had little information about better liquid soap but because of WSWM, I learnt how to make proper liquid soap. I have acquired so many other skills some which I have been using I my education:

• Script writing – I was the one who wrote the script to (THE LOST TREASURE) when we were producing skits.
• Typing skills – Before joining the WSWM, I was totally black about the computer world but when I attained the typing skills through the WSWM, I was motivated to save and buy my own laptop.
• Research skills.
• Confidence and communication skills – Initially I could not stand before a large audience and talk because I very little believed in myself but having joined WSWM I can now stand before people and present and I can resist people with negative compliments to me

Through the WSWM, I have been able to network with different important people something which I truly believe that if I didn’t join the club I wouldn’t have achieved. I was able to attend an international conference (E-Learning Africa conference) which was held at Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda in 2014.

Through the WSWM, I got to know about my rights and how to maintain my body free from diseases. I used to think that all Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were acquired as a result of having sex and would fear going for an STI test. But when Ms. Namuganza Stella explained to us have STIs are acquired; I realized that going for an STI test, doesn’t necessarily mean that one had sex. I actually felt that I could visit a health worker without any fear and after the workshop I went and tested myself. Through the WSWM, I came to realize that my life and health were so important so I didn’t have live carelessly.

After joining the WSWM, I have improved a lot of my CV:

• I have received different certificates which I think really add value to my CV from WSWM and other organizations and clubs using the skills I got from WSWM trainings.
• With the help of Ms. Namuganza Stella, I did a course in different aspects of counseling but this was after attending a WSWM workshop where Ms. Nansumba Winnie took the participants through tips of counseling.
• I was also able to do an online international course (AYV online course) and with this my photo editing skills increased to the extent that I was able to use these skills in the making of the comic book on Menstrual Health. This really made me happy as I saw my life changing at a very high speed. I was filled with joy seeing my name appearing as one of the authors in a book that was going to move places with my name inclusive.

I met good people in different professions worthy to be role models. Someone who had lost hope in life now started interacting with educated understanding people. It was so amazing and actually it was because of these people and WSWM that I had to get courage and continue with my A ‘level education which I have now completed.

After completing my O’level, I didn’t have the strength of continuing with A ‘level but when I inquired from some alumni members of WSWM, encouraged me to continue to A‘Level. When I thought about it, I drew a picture of myself, an O’Level graduate, standing before educated people! I made up my mind to go for A ‘level because of the great mentors of WSWM.

WSWM has made me realize that everyone has a dark part in life but it doesn’t mean that what one experiences in life is the end of everything. I came to realize that other people were experiencing tougher situations than what I went through and from this I started being empathetic to both boys and girls because initially I used to think that everyone is to themselves. I am so thankful to WSWM because by the time I left secondary school, most of my classmates were feeling at ease coming to me to help them with sanitary pads and a times could share their challenges with me something which I credit WSWM because before joining WSWM I was very rude mostly to boys but it all changed.

I thank WSWM under SchoolNet Uganda because without them perhaps I wouldn’t have completed my secondary level due to the challenge of finance. I am so thankful especially to Mr. Kakinda Daniel that whenever there has been workshops, I have been called upon to be one of the facilitators and at the end I would receive some allowance which I have been using to meet school dues, transport costs and other personal requirements especially during the time I have been in the candidate class. I have been able to complete my Senior Six (S6) because of the strength the WSWM put in me.

All in all, I can’t mention all the fruits I have got from the WSWM and SchoolNet Uganda because they are endless. I am so thankful to all the alumni of the WSWM club for having made me the Elizabeth I am. Without the WSWM, perhaps I would not have reached where I am and the spirit of not forgetting the useless past would have been still in me.

I became a new person and I know the person I want to be and no one can now put me down with negative comments.

I was introduced to World Starts With Me (WSWM) in December 2013 at the workshop held in Mukono MUZARDI which was for Senior Women teachers and Nurses. I was impressed with the way the facilitators and the members of the World Starts With Me (WSWM) where conducting themselves, respecting each other, having passion and high positive attitude towards their work and learning new things and I was motivated to be part of the group. I have benefited from WSWM in the following ways:

The World Starts With Me has helped me to learn sexual reproductive health and rights issues that affect young people which I did not know before like teenage pregnancy, menstruation, child sexual violence, drug abuse and other related issues. I realized that many people and young youth are faced with many problems of which some of them are caused by us adults and then I promised myself firstly that I will never take advantage of young girls for sex. Secondly when a young girl or youth comes to me and she asks me for the money to buy sanitary pads I help and give her that money and also give a help for some youth who need it.

The World Starts With Me has taught me to talk more frequently with the young people since I released that they like to share their problems with the people they feel comfortable with regarding SRHR issues as some times they just need a person to talk to.

The program has also built my self-esteem. I started to believe in myself because I used to know something but I could not share it out not because I didn’t want to share but because I didn’t know that the information I knew may be useful to them.

One the topic of “My future dreams”, there are two quotations I noted that I now follow one of them is “Leave the past because the future is blank”. That second one is “There is always the first time to do something.” These have motivated me to move forward and to learn new things because whenever I would start on the new activity, I could think of the end product negatively.

During the workshops of e/mlearning, I released that that you can learn more easily using the audio visual aids i.e. instructional videos and they make learning and teaching more interesting and now days If I want to learn something I download the visual aids from the internet e.g. jewelry making videos then go back, buy the materials I need and then I start to practice. I have now transferred this knowledge to my profession, I have been doing computer maintenance and servicing desktop computers since 2006 but I had never assembled and disassembled a laptop through I have installing software on the laptop so I download the video showing how to assemble and dissemble a laptop and then I followed the instructions and now I know also know how to do it. During the e/mlearning workshop I learnt the process of how to plan the health talk depending on the target audience.

Through this program, I have learnt some income generating activities which can make me a job creator than a job seeker and which are outside my profession such as liquid soap making, cake making and jewelry making from beads. I can know make a necklaces, bracelets, earrings, finger rings from beads of different types which I sell to get some income.

Some of other achievements are, I have trained 8 young out of school on how to make sanitary pads so that they can save some money to other basic needs. I have also learnt how to write a concept note and how to write reports. I am also working with a friend in Norway who has a NGO in Norwary called Connect Nations Norway to create a partner organization called Connect Nations Uganda whose target group are young people, women and refugees.

It has been A golden opportunity to work with the WSWM programme. Ever since 2011 when I was trained in WSWM content and later methodology, a lot has changed in terms of my knowledge, attitude and skills.

I have been empowered with knowledge to handle sexuality education through workshops, materials provided like books and audio- visual information like in pregnancy, menstruation and also through training to develop content in multi-media lessons. I have learnt to handle challenges of young people and facilitation skills based on facts as a result of the training on facts, opinions and cultural beliefs tool. In addition, the Gender box tool enables me to handle sensitive issues and challenges like gender based violence using the “Act like a man- Act like a woman” approach and later stepping out of the box.

My research, organizational and networking skills have improved too. I have been inspired to work more as a social worker to solve challenges of society and based on this I have created a community based organization; YOUNG DREAMERS FOUNDATION still at registration level targeting young people in and out of school to provide them with knowledge, skills and attitude to live successful lives.

Through project- based learning, my lessons in Economics class do not only aim at helping my learners to pass examinations but also to handle real world problems like hunger/ famine, unemployment, climate change through a project we call; ECONOMICS PROJECT BASED LEARNING, TAKING ECONOMICS LESSONS OUTSIDE THE CLASS ROOM. Many students have been able to showcase on what they are doing like cake making, tree and fruit growing, poultry as they inspire others and I have too decided to “walk the talk” by adopting tree planting to handle climate change with now about three thousand trees.

My lessons both during WSWM sessions and other lessons are more learner- centered using participatory methods like brainstorming, group discussions and using this they develop communication and self expression skills. In addition, my communication, facilitation, counseling and guidance skills have improved greatly. I have learnt to listen more. I have learnt to learn, unlearn and relearn.

Am delighted to share about how my ICT skills have grown. In the start it was a challenge when we were taught and helped to open email addresses and given assignment to send messages to the training director that night. We did it with difficulty though after the training most of our addresses including mine were blocked due to delay to use. Now am glad I have gained ICT skills like PowerPoint presentation, typing and sharing reports and I even completed an online course with Adobe Youth Voices. This makes me fit as a modern teacher with 21st century skills and my friends wonder whether am an ICT teacher.

Using the “Whole School Approach” under WSWM Sustainable Implementation Pilot project, my mobilization, lobbying and advocacy skills have improved. I have learnt to involve parents and community, administration and management, networking with nearby health centers, community leaders and even district administration and this was at its climax when we successfully hosted a parents sports and cultural galla with a theme “PROMOTING PARENTS INVOLVEMENT IN SRHR ISSUES OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL” with all stakeholders attending including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and services like Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) provided to students and community members.

My attitude towards young people and sexuality education has changed too. I now work more to better the lives of young people by providing correct and comprehensive information to enable them make correct, safe and independent decisions without much emphasis on how much I earn out of it financially compared to the start when we always expected a lot of allowances even to attend a workshop; EXPECTING TO BE PAID TO LEARN was my and our syndrome.

The lesson on MY FUTURE DREAM is not just for my learners but even my self. I have made my future dreams very clear and learnt to work towards achievement as per my dream sheet. I now have a winning mentality and positive attitude towards success.

The impact is enormous with a continuous list. Meeting and working with inspirational people in SNU is a wonderful opportunity to me. The exchange visit to Kenya was even of added opportunity to learn how sexuality education is handled in other countries. Thanks to WSWM programme, thanks to SNU, thanks to RutgersWPF, thanks to Ms. Mugabirwe Olivia, thanks to Ms. Akeso Winnie, and conclusively thanks to Mr. Kakinda Daniel ,the Executive and training director SNU, you have been a great mentor to me and am glad I have worked with you.

World Starts With Me (WSWM) has a definition within itself. Whoever hears about it for the first time is left to wonder what it is really about but later they come to terms with the message embedded in it.

As a teacher, definitely, as per training you would imagine all the information you have has to be passed on to the young ones and save none for yourself. If not, you imagine all good information does not benefit a teacher but strictly the learner. This l have come to realize is partly the reason why a good number of teachers detaste their profession. Very few walk their talk. I mean they can hardly practice what they tell young ones, and because of this, you can barely get a bigger number of their students wishing to take education at University.

The years l have been with the WSWM club have made me demystify certain things l held for quite long since l became a teacher. My life has metamorphosed for the better.

During teacher training, l went through counseling lectures. However, apart from reading to sit and pass the examinations, there was not even a single skill l had applied during my execution of duties at school. I am sure many were like me after training.

On a happy note l would like to acknowledge the fact that the WSWM club has equipped me with the necessary practical skills to counsel learners. I am not blowing my trumpet but many of the students confide in me in case they are faced with challenges at school. Many times still, our Deputy Head teacher Fr. Muyanja Stephen has consulted with me on the discipline of particular students.

I have also been involved in quite a number of one – one encounters with parents to discuss some of the challenges their sons face at school. The challenges include, drug abuse, theft, homosexuality, peer pressure. I have saved many from being excluded from school and they have reformed. In the past l used to think such did not concern me.

My counseling does not stop at school. At home, my father has entrusted me with the duty to settle many issues concerning my siblings. Our family is just recovering from the loss of our dear mother. She lost the battle with breast cancer last year on the eve of Christmas. I have been in position to rally confidence and hope to the rest of the family members. This was because l realized it was incumbent upon me not anybody else.

Before Jesus Christ died, he made sure he walked his talk. He suffered, died was buried and he resurrected and ascended to heaven. I have also opted to be an exemplary teacher. Being a resident teacher, l was allocated a piece of land. On it l have planted bananas but in an improved way. I got better banana suckers from Agriculture trade Show, Wairaka College and Jinja SS. The head teacher has been impressed by my gesture and many staff members have been challenged to better their gardens. Come next year, l hope to use it to inspire the students and fellow staff members to take agriculture very serious, since it is very profiting.

During one of the WSWM workshops, we were encouraged to get used to continuous learning. l have visited several farmers in pursuit of more information. Through this, my social capital has been enhanced. I am happy to note that one of these is the field officer of Balton Uganda based at the Jinja Show Grounds has visited me several times and offered me great assistance in establishing my garden.

The first time l attended a WSWM teachers’ workshop at Gayaza High School , one major thing rung to my mind: this was further studies. I used to think what l had was sufficient, and therefore no need to ‘waste’ any more money on another qualification. The disillusionment has vanished. Thanks to WSWM. I have applied for a holiday program to start in January 2016 at either Uganda Christian University or Kyambogo University. We are now at peace with my father because he says l have taken the right direction. He has always told us to surpass his qualification and rank. Since he retired as District Education Officer, we should be Commissioners and things of the like. Of late he started calling me ‘Head teacher’.

Recently, as l filled the application forms. l was also asked to get a laptop. Wow! l flashed back and remembered those practical sessions at Gayaza -at workshops. Credit goes to the officer in charge of training at SchoolNet Uganda- Mr.Daniel Kakinda, for opening my eyes. I moved out of my comfort zone!. I have been saving some money every month so by the end of the year, l hope to own a laptop. At school l hope this will enable me to process staff minutes in time.

My lesson preparation and presentation have improved in the recent past: at least am able to incorporate ICT during my lessons. I started with the screening of ‘Animal Farm’ and recently l did ‘Oliver Twist’.

Relatedly, l have also started gathering construction materials for construction of my small house in the village. And in a bid to improve my income l hope to grow tomatoes and potatoes that l can sell from the start of next term and the dry spell next year. This idea of being hardworking and keeping to task which was instilled in me at the WSWM workshops has turned me into a teacher who does not complain all the time about the meager pay.

After carefully listening to Dr Pius Mukas and Sr. Namuganza Stella (both facilitators at SNU) I took it upon myself to protect my life against STIs. l have done circumcision meanwhile l wait for the right time to get a spouse and l am happy l kind of inspire some young ones. This term, the UPDF medical team carried out safe male circumcision at the barracks adjacent to the school. l was able to encourage many of our students to utilize the opportunity and l was there to guide them on how to dress their wounds.

Everything in life, l realize starts with me. l used not to take prayers very seriously. Through the club name l now believe that it is me to deliver myself salvation. So no one is responsible for my misbehavior and its consequences. I now feel closer to God through the constant recitation of the rosary.

In a nut shell, economic and social transformation starts with an individual. l started my rejuvenation, transformation and metamorphosis. Thanks to World Starts with Me!

It will be shame on me if I pretend as though I gained nothing from World Starts With Me and the training I was given as a Student Peer Educator educator from Gulu – Pope John Paul II College in the year 2010.

The training gave me courage to speak openly to students on the sexual reproductive health and rights issues and this has helped changed the lives of students in which ever school I went to as well as enhancing their discipline.

I am so much delighted in the work well done by the World Starts With Me team -for they have groomed me into a good leader and a lady of caliber.

At Pope John Paul, I was the assistant head-girl but was seen as the head-girl because of my hard work. In my High School at Comprehensive College Kitetikka in Wakiso, I was the Speaker of the Students’ Council as well as the acting head-girl from 2011 to 2012 and when I joined the university, I got engaged in Public dialogues, debates and politics of the University,
Now as I talk, I am the cabinet minister for Gender and Women affairs – Gulu University who was elected as the women representative to the Guild.

Great thanks to the World Starts With Me and its partners

It was 2008 when I was in P.7 class with 14 years and I started experiencing body changes in my life. The  first body changes I experienced were pubic hair around my armpits and around my private parts. But I was so scared to see this because I was so innocent about it. I couldn’t believe that it happens.

I thought it was a secret that I couldn’t expose it to any of the old people but I firstly shared it with my agement brother who had no t experienced it then. So he laughed at me and told me that I am abnormal and I can’t have a child. So I was so much scared to the extent of fearing myself.

With that much fear, it forced me to shave. It was my elder brother who later told me told me that it is very normal to have that at  an early age like that and it shows that your hormones are very active.

After that, he started teaching me about body changes and he gave me more advice on how to live a positive life during the whole of teenage age.

By the names am known as Ouma Ali, a student of Tanna Memorial High School and a member of World Starts With Me. Before I joined this club, I had 3 friends to whom I did everything with them. We used to go for discos and in that process; we used to take alcohol each and every time. It was usually in holidays.

When it was school time, we used to walk the three of us to school. My friends were all in higher classes than me, that is to say, they were in senior 5 and I was in senior 2.

One day after lunch time, our teacher called Madam Mawejje Sarah came to our class asking for some people to join the club. We didn’t know the meaning of the club but she explained and said; “this is the club that teaches youths to become good citizens, good leaders and good fathers/mothers for the future”

I and my friends joined the club, by good chance. The first day I joined the club is the time they taught about the topic known as “common risks among young people”. The teacher introduced a sub-topic called Alcohol and Drug abuse.

We were taught;
– The types of drugs and their effects
– Why young people abuse alcohol and drugs
– The signs of drug addiction
– The health effects of drug abuse and lastly how we can overcome alcohol and drug abuse

At the end of the topic, we were able to change because of World Starts With Me club and we shall remain changed forever and ever. Therefore I end by thanking all the management of this club and welcome each and every one especially the young youths to join the club.

I can’t tell but I was lost but now am found since you came to my life. You came like a mother to me because of your words and time you have for me. I was in a forest where no one could rescue me but for you, you managed to do so and now I am here.

I was like a slave  being punished and subjected to all sorts of injustices but you came as a savior in my life and took me to the promised land where I got milk and honey.
Now I can thank you for you for goodness, you who struggled for the well being of my life, in the morning and evening you are there for me even the time I could not speak but you made me to speak because you made me someone in my life.

I used to fear myself because of my nature but because you taught me that I should be proud of myself because of my nature. That’s why I can now stand before the people and talk to them. Per now my esteem is higher than before. I pray that God blesses you that you can also start with other people.

My love for you is too strong oh WORLD STARTS WITH ME because we all need you.

WSWM has helped my life through knowing new things in the world. This is how I can help those who are in need.
It has impacted my life how to make local pads because I was not knowing how to make them and per now I can manage  and I can teach my fellow colleagues . WSWM has also also impacted my life through knowing my own dream worksheet and the benefits of achieving my dream or vision and how to achieve the goals and what might stand in my way when am achieving and what do I need to do and what I need to avoid doing until when I achieve my dream and steps I will take and completion date. I am encouraging my fellow colleagues to join WSWM club because it is important to youth of Uganda.

First of all I appreciate WSWM for all the good things I have got and learnt from this club.
WSWM has helped me to gain confidence in myself which I didn’t have before. I have gained courage and confidence through educating my peers at assembly and now I can speak before many people confidently.
Through WSWM, I personally have learnt how to go through challenging situations in life. I have also acquired skills of advising and counseling my fellows who are troubled and challenged.

Before joining WSWM, I was green about simple income generating activities like knitting, cake making, but now I have got the skills of doing such.
World Starts With Me has helped and changed my attitude positively towards associating and interacting with many people as different categories.

Through WSWM, I have also acquired some skills about computer and now I can use a computer to write messages, research information and even sending emails on internet. So long live WSWM club.