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Straight Talk - Uganda

Contact details

Straight Talk Foundation
45 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya, P. O. Box 22366,
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-41-543025 or 256-41- 543884
E-mail: strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug
Website: http://www.straight-talk.or.ug/

Location

Kampala, Uganda

Aims and objectives

To increase understanding of adolescence, sexuality, and reproductive health. To promote safer sex, life skills and child and adolescent rights.

Background

Straight Talk newspaper was launched in 1993. By 1997 it had grown into a registered NGO, Straight Talk Foundation (STF), with multiple projects. Our mission statements are "Keeping Adolescents Safe" and "Communication for Better Adolescent Health". Safe means free from infections and unwanted pregnancy and with the life skills, education and values to be a productive adult.
The radio show went on air in May 1999. The 30 minute weekly programme mainly targets out-of-school and in-school adolescents ( 13-21 ) reinforcing Straight Talk messages of safer sex, abstinence, the use of condoms and life skills. The show is aired nationwide on 14 FM stations, in English and 4 local languages. Plans to broadcast in more local languages are underway

Target audience

Children and adolescents in Uganda.

Involvement of children

Because of its popularity, Straight Talk Clubs have been formed in secondary schools and communities. These clubs are venues for open discussion about adolescent issues. Since 1994, over 230 Straight Talk Clubs have been independently formed. The Clubs are initiated by the adolescents themselves to discuss further the messages of safer sex with their peers.

Summary of project

Newspapers: STF's newspapers are adolescent-driven and age -appropriate. They are sent to almost 15,000 schools and are further distributed by 600 institutions and CBO's , NGO's and churches. They are also inserted into The New Vision.

Young Talk: For adolescents, aged 10-14, in primary school: Print run 300,000 per month: Key messages include: abstain know your rights, stay in school.

Straight Talk: For secondary school adolescents and youth aged 15-24: print run 156,000 per month: key messages include: know your body, understand your emotions, wait or use condoms, Life skills and health care.

Ener Eitena, Lok Atyer Kamaleng: Are local languages publication. For out-of-school Ateso and Luo youth. Print run 100,000/issue: Key messages include: use condoms, seek STD treatment, and prevention of early pregnancy.

The radio show went on air in May 1999. The 30 minute weekly programme mainly targets out-of-school and in-school adolescents ( 13-21 ) reinforcing Straight Talk messages of safer sex, abstinence, the use of condoms and life skills. The show is aired nationwide on 14 FM stations, in English and 4 local languages. Plans to broadcast in more local languages are underway

Funders

Since 1993, UNICEF has been a major funder of Straight Talk Foundation. Major funders now include Department for International Development (DFID), The Ford Foundation, European Development Fund (EDF), Danish International Development Assistance (Danida), Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and African Youth Alliance (AYA)(Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Quotes

"We wish to appreciate the aims of Young Talk, improved adolescent health and support for Universal Primary Education, literacy and persistence in schools.
Professor Apollo Nsibambi / Minister of Education and Sports, 1998

"I'm a father of two and also a lecturer. I like Straight Talk because it tackles a problem we parents cannot handle very confidently at the moment."
John Nayoga Mukasa, Senior Lecturer, Uganda Poly Technic, Kyambogo.

"Your key messages have had a drastic impact on the academic performance and behavior of our students. They have acquired positive life skills related to health and in particular HIV/AIDS. Now, they are agents of behavior change in the community."
Deputy Headmaster /Head of Science, Buwabwala Primary School, Mbale

"Thanks a lot for the advice you have been giving worried listeners. I used it to bring one friend out of trouble and it worked!"
Aayu Diana, Kampala (Adolescent)

"Bravo radio team. Your message has had an impact on me."
Asiimwe Nelson, Rukungiri (Adolescent)

"I thank Straight Talk for changing my behavior. I've learnt that there is no gain from unprotected sex. I also had an HIV test which was negative. I have decided to abstain from sex until marriage."
McCollins (18), Nabitalo SS, Namulonge

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