Some weeks are better than others and last week was definitely one of our best. Having only sent out our first announcement for the upcoming YPlus Pageant, we were hyped by the news of our former Miss Y+ Gloria Nawanyaga in the finals for Miss Uganda, a very reputed beauty pageant in the land. While we were at it, we also received a huge visit from our colleagues at Right Here Right Now, and we buckled up to set out for a thrilling experience. If you have time to read 300 words, let us take you down the memories of our past 7 days.
For the last 18 years the school health policy has been in the draft and it’s the role of Minsitry of education to process and passe the policy.
If May 2019 gave us anything to remember, it definitely was the Candlelight Memorial Event. The event that struck across 13th to 17th of May brought together a number of organisations and individuals to commemorate those who have succumbed to AIDS, encourage those living with HIV and reinvigorate the fight against the disease. The biggest catch for us of course was that with our youthful touch and vibe, we were trusted to take lead on the event and we set right away to work.
Our goal was to start the Y+ Summit and finish it with the same energy and thankfully to many supporting hands, we managed to do exactly that. Seeing Nile Hall at Hotel Africana transforming into a bevy of activity with 400 heads moving around, sharing information, laughing, listening and learning filled us with that sense of satisfaction a child gets from eating momma’s food. Thanks again to that support, what a way we signed out! Meaningful panel discussions, the who is who in the reproductive health and HIV space sparing time off their busy schedule to come through for young people and such transformative participation by the audience, we were proud to bow out like that, knowing that impact had been made.
We are migrating officially from the 90-90-90 targets to the 95-95-95 by 2030! That obviously means we have made great steps in curbing HIV/AIDS, so we need to cement the forces that will accelerate the forces that will make this possible; the young people. It is for this reason that we have spent the second day dealing with the theme “Peers in Advocacy”. It’s been another day of fun and engagement, so let’s share the highlights with you
“The longest Journey in life is the journey of discovering the self, because it may never end” Zaituni Nabateregga was quoted today as she facilitated the session on Life Skills and Self reflection. Her statement was an eye opener to many of the young people who have joined us for three days for the annual Y+ Summit, our innovative effort to empower Young People Living with HIV/AIDS with information and skill on various life topics. Here’s a little rundown on what has been a ground breaking day for the summit, a read you should enjoy.
Last week on Thursday 21st February 2019, our Executive Director Nicholas Niwagaba together with other fellow CSO representatives had a one on one meet up opportunity with USA Ambassador HE. Deborah Malac , USAID and the PEPFAR country representative Amy Cunninghama. They were able to push issues concerning the different communities and what people except to see in the new country operational plan for Uganda 2019. We’re hoping for fruitful results as we proceed for the Regional COP Meeting in South Africa next week.
The title right there was the sentence precedent to us being mentioned winners. And if you are wondering, Yes it is our 2nd win in a row. We are privileged to be winners of the just concluded Fast Forward Golden egg award, at the International AIDS Conference.–AGAIN. The first time the Uganda Network Of Young People Living With HIV/AIDS won the Golden egg award was in July 2017.
For those who missed the national World AIDS Day celebrations. We are so excited to share the great news! The Uganda Network of Young people living with HIV was awarded an Award by the Uganda AIDS Commission for Oustanding mobilization of young people in the HIV response and the tremendous role of empowering lives of young people living with HIV in Uganda. This Award was presented by H.E the vice president of Uganda and He acknowledged the role young people have to play in the HIV response.
The Y+ beauty pageant by UNYPA wins the coveted Golden Egg, Fast Forward Award during the AIDS 2018 conference. When Martha Nakato, a young woman living with HIV, was crowned Miss Y+ (young positive) 2017/18, eyebrows were raised. Some critical sentiments were aired.