Children fight HIV/AIDS stigma through sports

By ISAAC KHISA
Published September 11, 2009

Teenagers living with HIV/AIDS engage in sports to fight stigma against their status. Photo by Isaac Khisa

Through sports, drama and dance, children living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda have enhanced strategies to fight against the stigma attached to the disease.

Recently, there was happiness, curiosity and excitement, as children living with HIV/AIDS from three Non-Governmental Organizations, turned up in hundreds at Kyambogo university play ground to celebrate their successes through participating in a sports gala.

The organizations were, Reach out Mbuya, which presented 250 children, 87 of whom are living with HIV/AIDS; Makerere University in collaboration with John Hopkins University (MUJHU) ,and Naguru Teenage Information Centre.

The occasion, organised by Reach out Mbuya, an NGO helping children living with HIV/AIDS, and those vulnerable to the disease, saw more than 167 children participate in various activities such as entertainment, athletics, volleyball, netball and football. They were awarded certificates and trophies for their participation in the gala.

The events were intended to bring together children living positively from various organizations, and share their experiences as well as create new friends according to Ms Lydia Tamale, Reach Out Mbuya’s human resource and communications manager.

“Children are expected to make new friends and share experiences in their positive living,” Ms Tamale said.

“In schools where they study, they might be discouraged from interacting with fellow children, so this gives them an opportunity.”

When children come together, Ms Tamale said, they get courage and hope, despite their condition.

“Children can counsel themselves better than the usual counsellors, something that can only be achieved through organizing sports gala,” she pointed out.

The three organizations care for more than 1100 children living with HIV/AIDS, and those vulnerable countrywide. The children, however, were encouraged to abstain from sex and fight against stigma in a bid to remain healthy throughout their life.

“Those who have tested negative and positive should abstain from sex in order to remain healthy,” Josephine Nabukenya, a teenager from Caltec academy said.

Josephine, who also doubles as the chairperson of MUJHU, said all people should fight HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination against children living with the disease to remain healthy.

One of the teenagers living with HIV/AIDS being awarded a ceritificate. Photo by Isaac Khisa

The Assistant Commissioner for children in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Mr. James Kabokoza, said: Children living positively create good relationships with one another, when they participate in sports activities with their colleagues.

He said through the interactions, problems of stigma and deprivations will be won in the long run.

“Through such activities [sports], we can overcome stigma, and emotional deprivation,” Mr Kabokoza said, adding that fighting HIV/AIDS stigma within the community, enables children to strengthen their links, and promote togetherness.

Mr Kabokoza applauded the work of the three organizations saying their activities are in line with the ministry’s policies.

This is the second annual sports gala organized by the three organizations after the first one which took place at St. Kizito Primary School in Kampala last year.

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