Idea of the practical skills for self-sustainability was conceived by FARUG as a way to advocate through art, poetry and culture in forms that will help LBT women in Uganda speak their truths and share their life lived experiences through their different local languages while at the same time curbing the growing rate of unemployment in the country by equipping them with practical skills to enable them start self-sustaining projects to improve their livelihoods. The project which taught our membership how to make shoes launched a successful fleet of different shoe pieces on Friday 26th august 2016 at our office premises which attracted partners, allies and members to enjoy a showcase of art and talent.
What has been done?
Since the beginning of the year, we have been working tirelessly to implement the different sub projects from the huge practical skills for self-sustainability project. We started off with the poetry and spoken word art series in which our members went through and intense session of training on how to write poems, recitation and performance art. It was a very fruitful yet emotional session because together we were able to walk a journey of self-acceptance and affirmation. It was a moment of closure used by my of our members to share their life stories and testimonies about issues that affect them ranging from hate speech, sexual and gender based violence, hate crime, family eviction, intimate partner violence, corrective rape, forced marriage, transition to mention but a few
The second sub project which steered to the launch was aimed at teaching our members two things
How to make African sandals
How to recycle old/worn out shoes with an African touch
What has been achieved? As a result of the project, our membership has started small working groups which meet every week to make shoes to put on market as a fundraising strategy to enable meet the needs for the daily running of the organization. This is also an indicator of future sustainable job creation for LBTI women in Uganda. On the last Friday of every month (social Friday) they meet to recite poems in different languages and to share individual experiences from their different walks of life through visual and performance art.
I am a beneficiary of ARASA TOT 2016 “promoting human rights based response to HIV & TB in southern and East Africa” 0
by Farug Communication • our work, Volunteering &Internships on March 21, 2017
In 2015 around August, the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) called out applications for the 2016 trainers of trainees training programme. This training was aimed at equipping beneficiaries with knowledge and skills in Human rights, HIV/AIDS and TB. (Effective training on promoting human rights based response to HIV and tuberculosis in southern and east Africa). I humbly grabbed this opportunity applied for the training and was selected to be one of the trainees for 2016 programme.
Brief background about ARASA
Aids and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) is a regional partnership of over 90 non-governmental organizations working together to promote a human rights based response to HIV and TB in southern and east Africa, through capacity building and advocacy. ARASA conducts an annual training of trainers programme aimed at strengthening and supporting civil society capacity for effective HIV, TB sexual and reproductive health and human rights advocacy in southern and eastern Africa. The Training of trainers (ToT) programme accommodates representatives of the civil society organizations working on HIV, TB SRHR and human rights from 18 countries across the region. This programme comprises four modules that include human rights, HIV/TB prevention and treatment literacy, monitoring and evaluation, communication, project management, financial management, advocacy strategies and other skills gaps identified at the annual partnership forum.
The objectives of this programme are;
This programme comprised the following combination of training workshops that were conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on the following provisional dates:
My experience at ARASA TOT 2016
This was my first time to travel to South Africa and most importantly for study purposes. At the training I was equipped with knowledge in effective human rights based response and tools for effective advocacy around HIV, TB and Sexual reproductive health.
At the individual level, interacting with participants from different countries in Africa, I learnt how to respect and understand peoples diversities, team work, communication and Listening skills, and most of it all the facilitation skills. I learnt that African countries face the same issues when it comes to key populations and health. However the political settings, laws and rules differ in some countries.
South African weather is different from Uganda weather, but I managed to complete the training without falling sick during any of the modules.
Achievements after the training
I was awarded a certificate of completion of the four modules on promoting human rights based response to HIV and tuberculosis in southern and East Africa and this has strengthened and increased my passion to fight and lobbying for policy change and accessible health care services among key populations in Uganda.
From the facilitation training skills I acquired, I have dialogued with several health service providers about Human rights and sexual reproductive health related issues of LBTI persons in Uganda. I have also structured several facilitation sessions with LBTI/WSW persons to educate them about HIV/AIDS,TB, human rights and their SRH Rights.
This programme has not only equipped me with knowledge and skills but has also contributed to my leader ship roles and responsibilities regarding best practices like exemplary operating, time management, confidence and self esteem.
Certificate awarding ceremony
Addressing the situation of HIV/AIDS and human rights among LBT/WSW persons in Uganda.
Our health desk coordinator(third left) with the ARASA TOT Class 2016
Adventuring the beautiful Land of the Zulu (South Africa) visiting the apartheid Museum