Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - November 25, 2002
This could steadily become cause for laxity in the way the youth perceive the threat of HIV/AIDS. The consequences of such a scenario are already cause for concern.
Only last week, President Yoweri Museveni announced that he had issued a directive that every headteacher must convene a school general assembly every two weeks to address students about HIV/AIDS.
Against such a background the Fountain Youth Survival Kit (FYSK) for Schools, is being launched today.
The kit consists of a teacher resource handbook, two student resource books and several storybooks by some of Uganda's renowned writers.
The kit takes into account the fact that since nearly half of Uganda's population is in school. Therefore these children are good targets for HIV/AIDS prevention messages.
Given the correct information they can also competently spread relevant HIV prevention messages to parents, siblings, peers and other people in their communities.
Teachers will find the kit an invaluable tool for handling adolescents effectively at school since it offers special skills of how to handle and understand this age group.
In a broad sense the FYSK addresses issues affecting the primary and secondary school age groups. In a simple and matter of fact language it tackles issues like sexual abuse, sexual harassment, defilement and rape which have been reported in schools.
The FYSK comes in three different sets, the teacher's handbook, the FYSK student resource books and The Fountain Living Youth Series.
The teacher's handbook was written against the background that most teachers do not communicate effectively about HIV/AIDS precisely due to lack of confidence and adequate knowledge of the subject.
The handbook therefore focuses on equipping teachers with appropriate and correct information so that they can educate their pupils and students efficiently.
The first chapter of the handbook introduces the teachers to effective communication with the youth employing the viewpoint of guidance and counselling.
This chapter helps the teacher realise that before passing on HIV/AIDS messages to the youth, it is important to understand and appreciate their concerns. This lays an appropriate premise for HIV/AIDS education.
The handbook gives teachers HIV/AIDS education tips, which are useful in boosting the teacher's confidence as they pass on HIV/AIDS messages.
The handbook employs a teacher-student participatory approach. To this end each chapter has been designed with some activities for the teacher and the learner.
The handbook further gives teachers tips on how they can guide pupils and students to form anti-HIV/AIDS clubs. For purposes of quick reference, teachers can use the key messages of chapter summaries at the end of the book.
There are two categories of FYSK for primary and secondary school.
The first book has been designed for upper primary. The information is presented in a lively and simple style and the book is in full colour. The illustrations appear comic and would certainly captivate the pupils.
This book addresses gaps that exist in the present primary school curriculum as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned.
Meanwhile, the secondary school resource book adopts a similar presentational style but gives further details about relevant topics, such as sex and sexuality.
It has been tailored to cater for the increased ability of this age group. However, some people may find the section on masturbation and homosexuality alarming.
On the whole, the books do not mince words as they present the HIV/AIDS issue in connection with the young people's bodies, relationships, sex and sexuality, culture, drug abuse and pregnancies.
The books take into account the fact that HIV/AIDS cannot be tackled in isolation, from these issues since they may be the primary cause for infection.
This linkage gives readers leverage to protect themselves from that which makes them vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
This approach of presentation certainly empowers the readers to make deliberate and right decisions to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.
The chapters on life skills give the readers an insight into survival skills that they can apply to their daily lives to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.
The simple and dynamic style of presentation of the two books departs from traditional standard textbooks which often times demand strenuous reading and cramming.
To complement the resource books, there is the Fountain Living Youth Series.
These are storybooks written by some of Uganda's award winning novelists.
These stories are narrated in a captivating style that keeps the reader glued to the book till the end. These stories carry morals aimed at enhancing self esteem and life skills of the youth to resist temptations that could easily lead them to ruin.
These stories have been drawn from the pupils and students' backgrounds, which makes it easy for them to identify with the characters since they are familiar with the experiences mentioned in the books.
Some of the books in this series which is still growing include:
Ruins of a Star by L. Ocen
Sunshine after Rain by R. Rwakasisi
The Orphan Boy by J. Ocita
Unfulfilled Dreams by J. Ocwinyo
Recipe for Disaster by L. Tindyebwa.
The FYSK for schools is the first comprehensive resource pack that has been creatively designed specifically to meet the information needs of schools to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
It is an affordable pack that can be a great resource in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The pack is useful for NGOs working withyoung people in the field of HIV/AIDS, primary and secondary school libraries, teachers' Resource centres at district and National level.
021125
NV021120
Copyright © 2002 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .