Youth Power in UGANDA// +256 Youth Platform
March 2017//Before leaving Uganda last year (2016), I was sure I would come back again. Within two months I had returned. An opportunity bloomed after sharing what I learnt about menstruation from an organisation called +256 Youth Platform. The purpose of this trip grew organically from the knowledge I'd gained around reusable pads. My Father had a charity sponsoring childrend eff3ected by the genocide in Rwanda since as long as I can remember. My first flight was infact to Kigali age 17 to photograph a mission, returning again age 21. This time I was 26 and had just flipped my 'conventional life' on its head. Despite growing up in a home where we often had visitors from foreign lands stay with us, it wasn't surprising then that I would grow up with a sense of the world somehow being accessible, with the right privileges of course. The chance to visit Uganda for research purposes followed by a trip to speak to women and girls in Rwanda felt like I regular day in the life, of the life I had always wanted to live. That voice in me that took a chance, dared to tap out of the 'conventional' and live a different life than the one that had been promised, despite all the messages I had received as a girl that my role was set - I felt the most at peace during my time in Uganda, I was ready to return and this time with more of an independent bit of research, a chance for some personal development, seeds for growth later on.I made arrangements with +256 Youth Platform's President, Medie, who hosted me and invited me in volunteer for a few weeks. The group is run by, supported and actioned by young people - all volunteering their time. Initially set up as an alternative space that uses music, art and education to build confidence in individuals who in turn get involved in running community events, clean ups and teaching about; menstrual health, reusable pads, educating about general health improvement - harm reduction. It is all voluntary, yet there was a strong sense of family, a bond among members and project leaders. I attempted to get my head around how this organisation worked. There were shared values and a harm reduction approach in supporting folk, building empowerment and giving young people a voice, a place to. contribute in a positive way. Having this as a foundation for the work they do is perhaps what makes the community so special. Motivated to improve themselves and their community, young people meet together and connect through; dance, rap, boxing and kick boxing, their studies. Through these interpersonal relationships confidence is built and a sense of self esteem blooms. That is huge. That is youth energy and it is life force. It is the difference between giving up and showing up for yourself one last time. Seeing community breed in a place like this is fruitful. Yet there is a reminder everyday of lack, of scarcity mindset and making sure every mouth gets fed.
It was incredible to witness this energy and words will never do it justice. 
Medie had arranged a few meetings for +256 Youth Platform with different organisations who worked in the field of menstruation and I could tag along. The reason behind putting so much time into talking about periods is because many people who menstruate simply miss out. The shame and stigma associated with periods is perpetuated from not using the right terminology so in talking about it openly, involving men in the conversation, the topic can become normalised rather than a taboo. Schools and elders in the community are not feeling able to speak about menstruation in general and it continues today here in the west too.In Rwanda I was using contacts from my Fathers charity, to create a dialogue with women and girls about periods to see if the similar challenges were being faced also there. I found myself surrounded by groups of different aged females and would begin by asking them to share their experiences with me, 'So, how did you learn about periods?'. It wouldn't be long before someone shared an anecdote of finding out when they got their period, or they heard horror stories of never ending blood from older sisters, friends. One time I had an interpreter and was speaking to a group of women who were learning how to sew to make their own money. The stories shared were going beyond menstruation now. As we began to speak more broadly the conversation moved onto local traditions, pregnancy. And rape.
‘How on earth have you get yourself here Hev?’, I remember thinking to myself. Was I equipped to my handling such a topic, I thought we were just her to talk about menstruation. I was naieve back then, unaware of the stats around gendered based violence, ignorant to my own experiences where harm was done, and it was right there hitting me in the face. Put it away.
Nov 23// The stories were often the same. No one teaches anyone about periods. I actually do this for a living now, we talk about ‘decolonsing menstruation’. How epic is that. And we don’t actually cover much around periods, it’s more about all the nuances - it actually is a hu-mong-oous topic. I was foolish back then. It was also reflective of the messages that femmes around the world receive, or rather not. Not having any education around menstruation and no one sitting anybody down to spoken about sex/boundaries/consent.
It was always discussed that actually in being able to speak openly about these things there would be a reduction of negative experiences being experienced if individuals felt a self of bodily autonomy rather than someone else’s property.
March 2017// There was still a sense these were ‘women only’ issue. 
I’d met Benjamin in Uganda. Benjamin was 18 and said when he had spare money he would buy pads to 'share with my sisters at school'. (This would became a story I continue to tell still to this day). Benjamin was able to consider the needs of his peers simply because he was aware of them.
Education.
Gaining support from men could lead to less negative impacts associated with periods? Perhaps more consideration could allow access to menstrual products for all who menstruate, support with pain, with missing school or work - some sort of reasonable adjustments. Maybe, just maybe, in asking ourselves why periods are perceived as taboo or seen as ‘gross’ or ‘disgusting’ then we would be able to dismantle those self-limiting beliefs forced on us by the patriarchy.
I passed on the information I had picked up about how to make a reusable pad out of old t-shirt to a group of 5 girls at the high school in Kayonza. I strongly directed them to experiment and be innovative and creative when passing on to others. I had imposter syndrome 'how did I get myself here? What am I doing?', but here I was and these young girls had welcomed me with open arms and a keen thirst for this knowledge.
Jan 2023// I have remained in contact with +256 YP community since 2017 and I feel compelled to do something to help support this incredible community of radical activists who are shaking things up. The fact that the incredible work they do is all voluntary shows first hand the incredible impact the group has - and they are long over due an income from it. Day dreams are often halted because of a need to find finances to get things of the ground let alone to get basic needs met such as food, water, a roof, transport and any other necessary supplies. Grand ideas of how to generate income to continue to dance in my mind but I was struggling to make sense of how they could be achieved without initial funding. Luckily I didn’t need to worry about not having the answers. As with many youth projects, people move on and in comes others with new energy, vision and passion.
A group of girls came together and found a solution.
If they could learn skills to make products or offer a service they could then earn from they afford their own school fees.
In Uganda children need to pay for their education averaging around a few £100 a year (this covers school fees, matrials and items for boarding). Any profit made could go back in to supporting others. There are teenage mothers who missed out on finishing school and don’t anticipate to return often losing support from family due to shame. A young man in a wheel chair joined who also had challenges getting school fees together. This has led the group to think about anyone who requires support, they can join in too!
Here is a group of feminists, radically they are not waiting around for handouts or someone else to save the day. They are tired of this old rhetoric that girls are destined to become wives and mothers, they want more for their lives - and to not have to become financially dependant on a man.
The group managed to source bicycles last you to trial mobilising their work to reach a wider audience. However, in some of the rural parts from where the group is from, a female riding a bicycle is seen as controversial. The young women were supported to reflect on what the impactful work they were doing. They navigated difficult conversations with local elders and spoke about inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.
Here we have a group of feminists bringing change to their communities; other girls, other young people in their community may see themselves represented by this group of young women and smash any self limiting beliefs they may have around what they can and can’t be when they grow up.
It may look small but it’s impact is massive.
There is a group of teenage mothers who are a part of the +256 community.
It is this group that I particularly care for. Uganda, like many countries doesn’t have a benefits system that offers financial support to those in need. Despite now welfare system people still have to afford rent, buy food - to pay bills. There is also high unemployment particularly for young people, this can be expected in countries with corrupt political systems in place. There’s the reality that women earn less than men, and in a country where women are perceived as a subservient to the husband, it is important for young people to see representation of equity and equality if they are ever to lift themselves out of poverty.
Many young girls may find themselves in unhealthy, toxic and often abusive relationships. A controlling partner offers a place to live and possibly eat in exchange for the denial of freedom and the dependency of an abusers.
Additionally Uganda have brought back the death penalty for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Youth energy dies if it cannot see a future.
We must keep creating opportunities for young people to thrive, to express their own unique, individuality in creative beautiful ways. To let their light continue to shine.
This group of young women organise their on vocational training. They are making arrangements to sell items in local venues. They are motivated and dedicated, eagerly joining together to make their vision into a reality. This makes it particularly important to ensure that they are successful so that they can not only develop these profesional skills but so they can actually afford to complete their own studies and pay their school fees.
This is why I continue to support the young people to get an education and to have safe(r) space to meet, to be supported and nurtured.
We are looking for funds to support this group of young people, to ensure that they can afford food, to pay their rent and to afford their education, whilst they work on setting up their ‘school fees shop’.
“‘Hello everyone, my name is Atim Mary Agnes (AMA) one of the girls of +256 Youth Platform and I am in my senior six vacation
Unfortunately for me, things did not go as I had expected but they were not just bad but even worse. For a moment I felt like I was losing it as I continuously felt stuck and life was proving worse than I had imagined and this always brought back the word of my teachers ringing in my ears, “your leaving this place but you will see the real world.”
serve my community and help more girls thus solving not just one problem but even more as I help fellow girls facing hardships similar to mine and more. Now volunteering with +256 I have managed to face my beasts because I have mentors around me and this goes to all people who can reach a girl(s) that the best you can offer to them now is mentorship and that way many of them won’t have to take decisions they would later regret.”
Support young women like Mary. Donate here.
Mary will be volunteering her time to focus on getting the project off the ground and supporting other girls and others in need in their community. Mary has a budget of £60 per month to cover her personal needs (rent, food, toiletries, etc.) which we are keen to get covered so that she can focus her attention on the task of assisting others. Along side this we are ensuring Mary is well supported emotionally to build resilience when working with those with complex needs and recognising when and how to implement self care practices. If you would like to support the wonderful Mary or any of the young people please consider donating here.
