Testimonials

RIBBE AYE TEKO: Unity Is Strength.

Have you ever wondered how empowerment, mentorship, and male engagement can transform a young person’s life? Meet Alunga Gaius. Alunga Gaius is a 19-year-old from Parak Parish in Akidi Sub-County, Omoro District. Coming from a large family of twelve, Gaius was the sixth of ten children. His education was cut short when he dropped out after Primary Seven due to financial hardship, preventing him from continuing to secondary school. When a Health Assistant mobilized adolescents to form peer groups under the EU-Funded project: Breaking the Cycle, Gaius joined because he saw an opportunity to learn and grow. His commitment and enthusiasm led to his election as the leader of the boys’ group, Rine en Teko. He later participated in a five-day training organized by PACE Uganda with funding from the European Union, where he gained knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive health, life skills, teenage pregnancy prevention, and the challenges adolescents face. Initially shy and unsure of himself, Gaius gradually gained confidence and began actively engaging with other peer leaders within the sub-counties. The baseline survey conducted by PACE under the Breaking The Cycle project in May 2025 revealed multiple challenges in addressing teenage pregnancy in Omoro District. Stakeholders highlighted deep-rooted structural and social barriers ranging from poor service reach to harmful community attitudes that continue to undermine early prevention and reintegration efforts for adolescent girls. One key challenge identified was low male engagement: most programs focus on girls, leaving boys uninformed or disengaged from prevention strategies. Alunga Gaius exemplifies how these gaps in adolescent health programs can be addressed. “Through this training, I have become more knowledgeable about adolescent health and how to guide my peers,” Gaius shares. “People in my community now see me as a teacher for young people. I work closely with the Village Health Teams and always encourage adolescents to make informed decisions.” Today, Gaius is a respected youth leader who educates boys and girls alike on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. In Acholi, they say Ribbe Aye Teko, which, when translated, means “Unity is Strength.” This perfectly captures the spirit of what male engagement can do in addressing the high levels of Teenage Pregnancy in the Acholi sub-region. Alone, one voice may struggle to create any change, but together, their collective strength becomes power. Power to challenge norms, support one another, and build communities where every boy can lead with purpose. Signatories: Compiled By: Muhindo Maureen, SRHO Edited by: Angel Nantege Donna, Communications.

THE MAKING OF A LEADER: The Story Of Apiyo Docus.

Testimonials / By Donna Nantege

Nestled in the heart of Lukodi village, found in Bungatira subcounty, Gulu District, lives Apiyo Docus. Apiyo Docus is a 17-year-old girl, the last born of 7 siblings, and a Primary Seven dropout. She grew up in a household led by her single mother, who struggled to provide for her and her siblings. Due to financial challenges, Apiyo was forced to drop out of school after her primary seven. Apiyo is just like many other girls in Gulu district who drop out of school and are left vulnerable and exposed to negative peer influence. According to a baseline survey conducted in Omoro and Gulu districts to assess the lived realities of adolescent girls aged 10-19, with a focus on the drivers and consequences of teenage pregnancy and access to SRHR information and services, education outcomes in Gulu District were particularly concerning. In Bungatira, Omel, and Patiko, the survey reported a 0% completion rate, with very low in-school attendance (5.7% – 12.2%) and dropout rates ranging from 16.7% to 18.5%. The findings further revealed that 77% of girls who had dropped out of school had experienced pregnancy. The data tells a sobering truth: Apiyo could have easily been part of that 77%. She became known in her community for keeping bad company, which put her future at risk. But Apiyo met her Guardian angel, a Nursing officer and mentor of a peer group from Bungatira Subcounty, who identified her during the formation of peer-to-peer groups and decided to mentor her. The formation of these groups was supported by PACE with funding from the European Union. PACE and HANDLE realized that there is a need to equip young leaders with the tools, mentorship, and platforms they need to drive change within their communities through the formation of youth clubs like the peer-to-peer groups. Apiyo went on to attend a five-day training on the peer-to-peer approach, followed by further training on referral and reporting of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Services and Sexual Gender Based Violence. These trainings equipped her with knowledge on SRHR , leadership skills, and most importantly, confidence. Apiyo was selected by her peers to serve as their leader. With her skills, she began mobilizing her peers every Saturday at a safe space in Lukodi, where she led discussions on the dangers of early pregnancy and Adolescent growth and development with her mentor stepping in to provide some support on technical aspects and more challenging issues To strengthen the group’s impact and sustainability, she formed a team of five adolescents who served as committee members and supported her in managing the group activities. Using drama and interactive methods, Apiyo has made learning fun and relatable, inspiring many adolescents to adopt healthier behaviors. This group of young adolescents now dreams of performing dramas on the prevention of teenage pregnancies in schools and at national events to reach out to more adolescents in the districts. “Docus has completely changed the way she carries herself, showing responsibility and focus. Community members and religious leaders have also recognized her growth, with her church entrusting her to teach Sunday school classes,” says her mother. Today, Apiyo is not only a peer leader but also a role model among her peers. She heads the Rubanga Twero peer group of 25 adolescent girls. She is deeply grateful to PACE and the European Union for the opportunity that gave her a second chance to redefine her path. Her journey demonstrates how investing in adolescents can turn vulnerability into leadership and give them hope for their future. Story compiled by Joy Eleng-Project Officer, Gulu Edited by Angel Nantege Donna-Communications Volunteer.