17 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Nuwazima Mamini: Disability Rights and HIV Awareness Empower Her Life.

Nuwazima Mamini: Disability Rights and HIV Awareness Empower Her Life.

Nuwazima Mamini, a 27-year-old resident of Oruchinga, Isingiro District, Uganda, is a mother of three living with a disability. She is lame and has an affected right arm. She appreciates Shared Action Africa because, through its training and programs, she has learned about her rights as a person with a disability. She says that at first, she did not know her rights and often missed health services at the hospital.

“I have learned how to associate with people with disabilities by not isolating them, but treating them the same way we treat ourselves because they are also human beings like us. I learned how to help and support them instead of laughing at them or neglecting them. I have also learned how to treat people living with HIV—not to laugh at them or isolate them, but to guide them, support them, and remind them to take their medicine on time. We have learned all the methods of avoiding HIV. I am now well-trained and equipped with knowledge from these sessions, and I will be a strong, resilient person in life. I will continue teaching my friends and the people in my community about all the knowledge I have gained,” she said.

17 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Ayebale Elizabeth Hails Shared Action Africa for Empowering Youths with HIV/AIDS Awareness and Life Skills.

Ayebale Elizabeth Hails Shared Action Africa for Empowering Youths with HIV/AIDS Awareness and Life Skills.

Ayebale Elizabeth, a 20-year-old resident of Oruchinga, Isingiro District, Uganda, has expressed her appreciation to Shared Action Africa for changing her life by equipping her with vital information about HIV/AIDS and how to protect herself as a young woman in the community. She benefited from the organization’s community outreach program in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, which targeted youths with disabilities.

Elizabeth thanked the organization for the life skills and knowledge she received:

“I have learned how to protect myself from HIV/AIDS and how a person can acquire it. The Shared Action Africa health team explained that HIV is spread through having sex with multiple partners whose HIV status you do not know, or through sharing sharp objects like razor blades. If such an object is used by a sick person and then cuts you, it can spread the disease. I also learned that an HIV-positive mother can transmit the virus to her baby during childbirth, but this can be prevented.”

She added: “I have learned that HIV can be prevented by using condoms, avoiding sharing sharp objects, abstaining from sex until marriage, and testing with partners before engaging in any sexual activity. I have also learned that being faithful to one partner reduces the spread of HIV. Regular HIV testing is also important because it helps you know your status and take the right steps for your life. I am grateful to Shared Action Africa for this support.”

17 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Disabled Refugee Student Neema Kamaali Learns HIV Prevention from Shared Action Africa Training.

Disabled Refugee Student Neema Kamaali Learns HIV Prevention from Shared Action Africa Training.

Neema Kamaali, a 17-year-old student with a disability from Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, was born with a lame leg, making it difficult for her to walk straight. Her left leg is affected. Despite this challenge, she expressed happiness for attending the Shared Action Africa training sessions on sexual and reproductive health for people with disabilities. The health team organized the program to educate the disabled refugee community on how to fit into society and address the challenges they face.

Neema shared her experience with Shared Action Africa, saying:

“I have learned in this training how to protect myself from acquiring HIV/AIDS. Before, I did not know the ways it spreads from one person to another. Today, the Shared Action Africa health team has explained in detail how HIV is spread among us youth. I have learned that it can be transmitted through unprotected sex and sharing sharp objects with an infected person.

I am now safe. I tested negative after the team offered free HIV testing and counseling to us disabled people in the refugee community. I will continue protecting myself from the disease and I will teach my fellow girls what I have learned from this training. I have also learned about safe sex, the importance of using condoms, avoiding multiple partners, and not sharing sharp objects. I really appreciate Shared Action Africa for its support. “She said.

 

08 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Albino Refugee Gains Confidence Through Shared Action Africa.

Victoria Francine, an Albino Refugee Empowered by Shared Action Africa.

Victoria Francine, an albino and refugee living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, has shared her powerful testimony following the intervention of Shared Action Africa during their recent community outreach program. The outreach specifically targeted people with albinism, aiming to provide them with access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, which many of them had previously been unable to receive due to stigma, fear, and lack of information.

The program, conducted in Nakivale, was designed to empower vulnerable groups such as young albinos who often face challenges of discrimination, isolation, and limited access to health services. Through the outreach, Shared Action Africa not only delivered medical support but also provided guidance, counseling, and practical training to ensure that participants could lead healthier and more confident lives.

Victoria explained that her life was transformed as a result of the teachings and training provided by the health team. She emphasized that the outreach addressed some of the most personal and critical issues that young girls like her face, particularly around menstrual hygiene.

“I did not know how to wear and use sanitary pads. I had never used them in my life before, but now I know. I understand their use and importance in life,” Victoria said. “I was trained by the Shared Action Africa health team on how to use them and how to stay clean as a girl. Afterwards, the Shared Action Africa team provided me with free pads. I no longer lack them; I now have them in big numbers.”

Victoria added that before the intervention, she relied on pieces of cloth to manage her menstruation. This, however, exposed her to frequent infections and poor hygiene, which affected her health and wellbeing. “Before, I used to rely on pieces of cloth, which often gave me infections, and I was always sick. But now I am okay, I feel fine, and I have no problem,” she explained.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organization for stepping in to address the challenges faced by people living with albinism. “God bless Shared Action Africa and keep it strong to continue helping people like me,” Victoria concluded.

The story of Victoria reflects the broader mission of Shared Action Africa, which continues to work with marginalized groups in refugee settlements to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing health, dignity, and equal opportunities.

ocus said.

08 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Bisibizimaan Claudine, a Refugee and Albino Youth Empowered by Shared Action Africa

Albino Refugee Youth in Nakivale Empowered by Shared Action Africa.

Bisibizimaan Claudine, a 16-year-old albino refugee living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, was supported by Shared Action Africa during a community outreach on sexual and reproductive health services for albino youths in Isungezi village. The program was intended to reach out to albino youth who often fear going to hospitals to access health services and information vital for their wellbeing.

Shared Action Africa extended services directly to the community, providing health care, guidance, and social support. They taught participants how to live in harmony within their communities, addressed challenges of isolation through community trainings and sensitization, and worked to reduce discrimination and mistreatment of albinos in the settlement. The organization also carried out free HIV testing and counseling, shared words of wisdom and encouragement to build resilience, especially among girls, and conducted hygiene training for teenage girls on how to manage themselves during menstruation.

Claudine shared her personal experience as an albino after the training provided by Shared Action Africa, which had intervened in her life.

“I am so grateful to Shared Action Africa for teaching us how to properly use pads. Some of us did not know how to use them. We used to hear about them, but we had never tried them out. We are lucky and blessed today for this wonderful support. I have been trained on how to keep myself clean whenever I am menstruating. I also tested for HIV, and I am fine. As a youth, at an early age, I was trained on how to protect myself from HIV, STIs, and unwanted pregnancies since we live in a busy environment with different tribes and cultures. I was trained to avoid moving at night and associating with men in order to reduce risks of rape and early sexual engagements. I am now properly trained, and I will continue with school until I finish. Shared Action Africa also addressed our problem of isolation by teachers and fellow children at school. As albinos, we were not considered normal. But through community sensitization and school trainings about discrimination, the situation has improved, and we have now regained peace, “she said.

ocus said.

08 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Refugee Mother Cries Out Over Albino Child’s Discrimination.

Refugee Mother Speaks Out on Discrimination Against Her Albino Child in Nakivale Settlement.

Nuwasaba Jannati, a resident of Isungezi village in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, is a refugee and a mother of five children. Her second-born, a seven-year-old girl, is an albino.

During a recent outreach organized by Shared Action Africa, the organization focused on sexual and reproductive health services for albino youths. As part of the initiative, Shared Action Africa distributed free sanitary pads, provided hygiene training, and offered support to address the social and health challenges faced by albino children in refugee communities.

Jannati described the difficulties she has faced raising her children under such conditions. She explained that children with albinism are often stigmatized and socially excluded, as many community members wrongly consider them a curse and refuse to associate with them.

“My children are mistreated so much in this community. They are isolated and not considered like other kids. Since this camp hosts people from different tribes, cultures, and beliefs from various countries, my child is taken as a curse. They don’t want to share anything with her and treat her as a taboo. When she goes to fetch water from the borehole, she is always beaten by other children and even adults. Now she fears going there. She is always living in fear,” Jannati said.

She further explained that environmental conditions pose additional challenges for her daughter.

“When it is sunny or too hot, she develops skin diseases. The sun burns her skin, leaving it damaged. I always have to buy Vaseline for her, but it is very expensive and at times I cannot afford it. In the community, other children isolate her and refuse to play with her. This makes her feel lonely and inferior. They laugh at her because she does not look like them and does not fit in. My daughter is now depressed, fearful, and at times refuses to go outside,” she added.

Despite these challenges, Jannati expressed gratitude to Shared Action Africa for its efforts to create awareness and promote inclusion.

“I am grateful that Shared Action Africa has offered community training to sensitize the public about the lives of people with albinism. They taught that albinos are also human beings. I have witnessed positive transformation among community members who admitted they were wrong and promised to change and start treating albinos better. Shared Action Africa also gave our children free sanitary pads, since we could not afford them. They trained us in hygiene and taught us how to associate with the locals. We now feel like we have regained our freedom. I am hopeful there will be no more isolation of my daughter, Mutese, in this community,” Jannati concluded.

Docus said.

02 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

“Namara Docus Praises Life-Saving Screening by Shared Action Africa”

Namara Docus Hails Shared Action Africa for Life-Saving Cervical Cancer Screening.

A mother is Grateful to Shared Action Africa After Early Cervical Cancer Detection Saves Her Life.

Namara Docus, a resident of Murutooma Cell in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Southwestern Uganda, expressed her happiness and excitement after a life-changing experience. She had gone to Ishungezi Health Center III for malaria treatment when she found the Shared Action Africa team conducting a training session about cervical cancer. She developed interest in the topic and later participated in the cervical cancer testing and screening exercise, where she tested positive.

Docus appreciates Shared Action Africa for saving her life. She explained that she had been living with the disease unknowingly, which put her life at great risk, but thanks to the early detection and treatment, she now feels safe and free.

“I tested positive for cervical cancer during the outreach conducted by Shared Action Africa. After the test, I was trained and counseled on how to keep myself safe and undergo treatment. I was later treated and referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where I will continue receiving treatment until I get better. This training has opened my eyes. If I had not been trained and tested, I would have continued living with the disease without knowing, and it would have slowly killed me. But now, I know I will not die, and I will not face any serious health problems. I am safe, I will stay alive, and I will raise my children. I will not stop here. I will spread this information to the rest of my village members so that I can also help save my community. I deeply appreciate Shared Action Africa for the services given to me,” Docus said.

02 Sep
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

“Cervical Screening Brings Relief to Oruchinga Refugees”

Cervical Cancer Screening Brings Relief to Oruchinga Refugee Settlement.

Mugabirwe Doreen, a resident of Oruchinga Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, she is happy after testing negative for cervical cancer during the Shared Action Africa family planning community outreach held in the settlement.

“I am very happy that I tested for cervical cancer and the results came out negative,” Doreen said. “Shared Action Africa came to our village and offered us free cervical cancer services. This has reduced my risk of getting the disease.”

She explained that before the outreach, many women in the community had no knowledge about cervical cancer. “We are so happy and glad to have received this wonderful blessing from Shared Action Africa. As village women, we did not know anything about cervical cancer. But now, because of the health education provided by the medical team, we know about the disease, how it spreads, and how we can mitigate it. We even know its symptoms, and we can easily run for help in case we realize it,” she said.

Doreen emphasized that the program not only gave her peace of mind about cervical cancer but also helped her identify other health issues. “I really bless the team because, in that process, I was diagnosed with infections, including UTIs. I was immediately given treatment, and the treatment was free of charge. I am sure that I am safe. God bless you,” she said.

According to Doreen, the outreach has transformed the way women in Oruchinga Settlement view their health. “We are now free from the fear of losing our lives. This program has given us hope and confidence,” she noted.

Her testimony highlights the importance of free healthcare services for vulnerable communities. With education, screening, and treatment combined, Shared Action Africa has not only empowered women in Oruchinga but also saved lives.

 

 

02 Sep
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

“Shared Action Africa Leads Cervical Cancer Fight in Refugee Communities”

Shared Action Africa in Cervical Cancer Fight within Refugee Communities.

Shared Action Africa has intensified its efforts in the fight against cervical cancer within refugee communities. The health team, led by Kamusiima Adella, a midwife by profession and Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer at Shared Action Africa, represented the organization during an outreach at Oruchinga Refugee Settlement. The mission involved cervical cancer screening and training women refugees on how to protect themselves and manage the condition if diagnosed.

Adella emphasized that Shared Action Africa’s goal is to reduce the spread of cervical cancer among women by increasing awareness, providing training on prevention strategies, and offering regular cancer screening and testing.

“Today, as the Shared Action Africa team, we are at Ishungezi Health Center III, located in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Western Uganda. We conducted health education at the facility, mobilized people from neighboring villages, and taught the community about cervical cancer, how it spreads, those at risk, and the preventive measures. After the education session, we provided cervical cancer screening services to the community. For the women who tested negative using VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid), we provided them with preventive treatment and linked them to VHTs (Village Health Teams) for follow-ups. For the few who tested positive, we were able to manage some through thermocoagulation, while others were referred to the regional referral hospital. They were also connected to VHTs for continuous monitoring and support. We believe the training was effective because it was highly interactive. The mothers will share the knowledge with their neighbors, friends, daughters, husbands, and other community members, spreading the message of health awareness. We are confident that, over time, this community will become more informed about cervical cancer, leading to a significant reduction in its spread,” Adella said.

18 Aug
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Shared Action Africa Supports Youth with Disabilities in Menstrual Hygiene.

Shared Action Africa Empowers Youths with Disabilities in Menstrual Hygiene Management in Rubondo Refugee Settlement.

In Rubondo Village, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda, a major advancement in inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) has been made as Shared Action Africa expands its menstrual hygiene services to refugee youths with disabilities, equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to manage menstruation with dignity. This initiative addresses the urgent needs of young people with disabilities, who remain among the most marginalized groups in refugee communities and often face barriers that hinder their social participation.

Through focused training sessions, Shared Action Africa instructs youths not only on proper menstrual hygiene practices but also on integrating smoothly into community life during menstruation and in everyday activities. Oyera Shiba, Assistant Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer at Shared Action Africa, emphasized the organization’s approach: “As Shared Action Africa, we are empowering dignity through action. We distribute sanitary pads to people living with disabilities in Rubondo while supporting caregivers with knowledge and awareness on how to help their children and relatives manage menstruation effectively.”

For many young women involved, menstruation had long been a source of isolation, shame, and anxiety. Participants recounted the emotional and social difficulties they faced prior to the intervention. “We were often isolated in our communities because of our nature. This made us hate ourselves and avoid interacting with our peers, fearing ridicule and exclusion,” said one participant. Limited access to sanitary products compounded these challenges, as many could not afford disposable pads due to unemployment or physical limitations, leaving them exposed to discomfort, health risks, and stigma.

Before Shared Action Africa’s program, girls with disabilities frequently experienced menstrual leakage in public spaces, increasing feelings of embarrassment and exclusion. “During our menstrual days, we couldn’t clean ourselves properly because of our conditions. Sometimes, our periods would drop, and we feared going out into the community,” one participant explained. This lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support prevented many from fully participating in social, educational, and recreational activities.

Since the initiative’s inception, the situation has changed dramatically. The organization provides comprehensive guidance on personal hygiene, safe use of disposable pads, and strategies to navigate community life during menstruation. Caregivers also receive specialized training, reinforcing hygienic practices and offering support at home.

The impact on the youths has been significant. Many report restored confidence and improved relationships within their communities. “After Shared Action Africa’s training, we feel like we’ve regained our rights. People no longer laugh at us; instead, they help and support us during our periods. We associate normally with others, and there are no negative impacts on our daily life in the community,” shared one young woman.

Providing free disposable sanitary pads has been a critical aspect of the program. For youths unable to purchase menstrual products, this support has reduced financial stress and ensured consistent hygiene management. Participants expressed gratitude, noting that the pads help prevent infections and preserve dignity.

Additionally, the program has raised awareness across the broader community. By educating youths and caregivers, Shared Action Africa fosters understanding and empathy. Community members now provide assistance during menstruation and advocate for inclusive practices accommodating people with disabilities.

“This program has not only addressed the practical needs of menstrual hygiene but has also restored confidence, self-esteem, and social inclusion for youths with disabilities,” Shiba added. “It is a demonstration of how inclusive approaches in SRHR can transform lives, promote dignity, and strengthen community cohesion.”

Shared Action Africa continues to champion the rights of marginalized populations, including refugees and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to essential SRHR services. Their commitment to empowering dignity through action reflects a vision of inclusive development in which every young person can participate fully in their communities, regardless of physical or social barriers.

Through these programs, young women in Rubondo Refugee Settlement are reclaiming their agency, managing menstruation with dignity, and experiencing renewed belonging in their communities. Their stories illustrate the transformative impact of compassionate, inclusive interventions in fostering both personal empowerment and social cohesion.

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