By Ky Hanson | Resource Mobilization Officer
Thanks to you, we were able to send four youth (Abel, Annet, Brian, Suzan) and two Baylor-Uganda staff members (Head of Clinic Dr Jacqueline and Nurse Counselor Esther) to Melbourne, Australia for the AIDS2014 Conference where the team had an incredibly enlightening and inspiring experience!
Our adult chaperones were grateful for the opportunity to accompany the youth on their first trips abroad. Having medical and psychosocial support was very valuable – Dr Jacqueline assisted one of the youths when she developed pneumonia (she is well again now!) and Esther empowered the youth with public speaking skills before their presentations. Here are Abel, Annet, and Brian’s words about the experience:
Abel: “So happy and lifted high from being part of the team that was selected to travel out of the country to go spread the wonderful work done by Baylor-Uganda in the line of fighting HIV to its zero…I believe that knowledge is power and knowledge is got from learning. Indeed I acquired much…I wanted to go to Australia for the AIDS Conference because all along I wondered how outside my country things are done not only in the line of fighting the scourge but getting to see and know the behaviors of people outside our country…At the AIDS Conference, absolutely all was a wonder to me as a first time traveler…When I saw the former President of the United States Bill Clinton speak to us in the plenary, what a wonderful, exciting, and information-filled moment I got!”
Annet: “My aim of attending the AIDS conference was to meet different kinds of people who are living with HIV and I learn from them and they also learn from me. Another aim was to find out whether we are facing the same challenges as other HIV-positive youths. My favorite moment was the day I presented to many people. From there I started believing in myself and it gave me the strength to go ahead taking my drugs. This conference showed me that I am not the only one who is infected and I can make it in life. Another favorite moment was interacting with people after the presentation because many people came to me asking me some of the techniques I have used to live positively while being HIV-positive.”
Brian: “I wanted to attend the AIDS Conference to be updated on new advancements in regards to medication and also to share my experience with others on how it was and has been for me living with HIV in Uganda. My favorite moment was when it was my turn to present at the Global Village Youth Pavillion. I was so excited but fought so hard to keep a composed face (hahahaha let’s also not forget the diversity of the people). It was the one place I saw people expressing themselves freely and not being judged for who they were. The large number of stakeholders really surprised me. I remember thinking to myself, "this is huge...awesome" and the city itself is amazing. I just felt I belonged.”
The team learned that HIV affects people of all races, cultures, and sexual orientations. The experience renewed their belief in youth involvement, peer support groups, positive living, a cure, and an AIDS-free generation.
Since their return, the team has been engaged in a variety of activities to share their new knowledge, relaying their lessons learned to peers, inspiring others, and even presenting at the Uganda National Pediatric AIDS Conference, where the youth presented to the Speaker of the Uganda Parliament their views in line with the conference theme. She in turn promised to ensure their involvement in health decision making.
Abel: “Much thanks to all the hands that came together to see this happen…I was indeed lifted to another level that I never dreamt I would reach. Thanking you from the bottom of my heart is the best appreciation I can I make to you.”
Annet: “I extend my appreciation to all donors who supported me to attend the AIDS Conference. I thank the donors and Baylor-Uganda staff very much. May God reward you all.”
Brian: “My thanks go to all the donors/sponsors who made that dream possible; to all those who had the ability to pull strings and made it happen for us – you are awesome. I learnt a lot about us as humans on the trip – that we care for one another and that we would do anything to ensure no harm comes to those we care about.”
Through medical and psychosocial care at Baylor-Uganda’s Kampala clinic, these four youth have grown into incredible young adults. Please help us to support more youth to have bright futures by giving to our GlobalGiving campaign to send 80 recently-disclosed-to 9-11-year-olds to a one-week residential camp!
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