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Upon completion of my final examinations at Makerere University where I was pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, I embarked on an internship journey with the Madaraja Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting girls’ and women’s sexual reproductive health in Mukono, Uganda.

The journey has been an enlightening and transformative experience. Throughout my time with the foundation, I have had the privilege of engaging in a realm of critical importance, facing challenges head-on, and emerging with a profound understanding of community-driven initiatives. In this blog, I will delve into the incredible opportunities, daunting challenges, invaluable lessons, and sincere recommendations that have shaped my internship journey.

Opportunities

My internship with Madaraja Foundation was a doorway to an array of opportunities that allowed me to meaningfully contribute and partake in impactful work. One of the most fulfilling aspects was conducting educational trainings that empowered the Private Healthcare Providers and the community with knowledge about sexual reproductive health. Witnessing their engagement and eagerness to learn was a remarkable experience that reinforced the importance of the foundation’s mission.

Additionally, participating in community outreach programs enabled me to witness the tangible impact our efforts had on improving awareness and access to essential healthcare services. These opportunities not only enriched my skill set but also ignited a sense of purpose as I played a role in effecting positive change.

Challenges

The task of building trust within the community required time and consistent effort, as community members needed to see our dedication and genuine intentions.

Balancing the foundation’s objectives with the unique needs of the community was a delicate act that taught me the value of flexibility and the importance of understanding local contexts.

Despite the hurdles, these challenges shaped my character and fortified my skills in communication, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving.

Lessons learned

My internship experience with Madaraja Foundation enriched me with lessons that extend far beyond the realm of sexual reproductive health.

The importance of active listening and empathy while engaging with community members became evident, allowing me to truly comprehend their perspectives and needs. Adapting interventions to align with cultural norms underscored the significance of context-sensitive approaches.

The experience also underscored the vital role that grassroots organizations play in enacting change. Collaborating within the team and engaging external stakeholders showcased the power of collective efforts in achieving sustainable impact.

Recommendations

For those considering an internship with Madaraja Foundation, I wholeheartedly recommend approaching this opportunity with an open heart and mind. Embrace challenges as catalysts for personal and professional growth, as they offer unique insights and perspectives.

Leverage your skills to contribute meaningfully to the foundation’s objectives, and actively seek ways to bridge gaps and foster understanding within the community. Approach cultural differences with respect and a willingness to learn and recognize that even the smallest actions can lead to profound change.

Above all, remain dedicated to the foundation’s mission and passionately advocate for sexual reproductive health awareness.

In the heart of Mukono, Uganda, a powerful collaboration is taking root, led by the Village Health Teams and amplified through the reach of community radios. This dynamic partnership is reshaping the landscape of women’s reproductive health by driving demand for self-injectable contraceptives. Madaraja Foundation is working with trained Village Health Teams to disseminate information about family planning, specifically focusing on self-injectable contraceptives, while also dispelling prevalent myths and misconceptions. Through their dedicated efforts in supporting the Madaraja Foundation, Village Health Teams are not only community advocates but also catalysts for informed choices and transformative shifts in awareness.

What are Village Health Teams?

Village Health Teams, or commonly known as VHTs, who mainly serve rural communities in Uganda, are not only healthcare providers but also community champions and advocates of communal care. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including health education, family planning support, maternal and child health guidance, immunizations, disease prevention education, referrals to higher-level care, counseling, and community advocacy.

VHTs are a vital source of information and support, ensuring their communities have access to essential healthcare services and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their sexual reproductive health. Their dedicated efforts, in collaboration with organizations like the Madaraja Foundation, are instrumental in improving overall community well-being and advancing sexual reproductive health in Uganda.

Leveraging the power of community radios

The synergy between the unwavering dedication of VHTs and the influence of community radios is a striking testament to the potential of localized media. Acknowledging this synergy, VHTs have adeptly harnessed the power of community radios to magnify their advocacy efforts. Through the delivery of impactful broadcasts, thought-provoking discussions, and enlightening interviews, these community radios are evolving into invaluable conduits for disseminating crucial health information, effectively bridging the divide between health education and active community engagement.

Promoting Sexual Reproductive Health

The unity of VHTs and community radios paints a vivid picture of transformation in sexual reproductive health. Through radio segments devoted to subjects like family planning, VHTs use the airwaves to dispel myths and foster conversations.

VHTs working with Madaraja Foundation, under the Links For Her Project, engage in bi-weekly community radio talk shows aimed at educating their communities about various family planning methods, with a specific emphasis on self-injectable contraceptives. During these informative broadcasts, they not only disseminate valuable insights about the methods but also address potential side effects, offering guidance on their management and where to seek assistance if needed. Furthermore, through these talk shows, VHTs passionately advocate for increased male involvement in family planning, recognizing its pivotal role in enhancing social and financial support for women, thereby ensuring sustained use of these essential services.

These discussions enable women and girls to make informed decisions, effectively replacing misinformation with empowered choices. A testament to the collaboration’s impact is the surge in demand for self-injectable contraceptives among the private health facilities engaged under the Links For Her Project.

Community radios become the stage where VHTs share success stories, address concerns, and advocate for the benefits of self-injectables. These narratives, grounded in real experiences, spark a momentum that encourages others to consider this effective and convenient option, thereby shaping a cultural shift in reproductive choices.

Fostering empowerment and inclusivity

VHTs and community radios orchestrate a dialogue that transcends passive communication. Interactive programs invite community members to actively participate, sharing experiences and seeking guidance. This approach fosters an environment of trust, authenticity, and collective responsibility, ensuring that women’s reproductive health concerns are addressed holistically.

The VHTs and community radios stand as formidable allies, ushering in demand for self-injectable contraceptives and championing women’s reproductive health. This harmonious partnership, rooted in the Madaraja Foundation’s ethos, showcases the potential of grassroots initiatives and innovative communication channels. As VHTs and community radios unite their voices, they inspire informed choices, foster conversations, and empower women and girls to take charge of their reproductive health journey. In doing so, they illuminate a path towards a brighter, healthier, and more informed future for the community.

In Uganda, the stark reality of teenage motherhood is undeniable, with 25% of girls aged 15-19 either pregnant or already mothers, and more than half experiencing repeat pregnancies. Even more alarming is the sight of mothers as young as 13 years old, reflecting the profound challenges faced in one of the world’s poorest countries. The burden of motherhood weighs heavily on these young shoulders, with many 20-year-olds already mothers of multiple children.

Challenges faced by teenage mothers

In the heart of rural Mukono district lies Kanikwa village, where the Madaraja Foundation conducts monthly outreaches to extend essential sexual reproductive health services to young mothers. The challenges faced by these mothers are immense, starting with the daunting task of accessing essential healthcare services. While the nearest public health facility may be 15 kilometers away, the cost of transportation, often exceeding 10,000 Uganda Shillings (approx. $2.6), presents a significant barrier. For teenage mothers, many of whom rely on their families and spouses for support, this financial burden becomes insurmountable, leading to missed antenatal care visits—a vital component of maternal health.

However, the challenges don’t end there. Teenage mothers face pervasive stigma, both within their communities and from healthcare workers in the facilities they seek services from. This stigma creates a climate of fear and apprehension, causing many teenage mothers to shy away from seeking the care they desperately need. The fear of judgment and discrimination often leads to missed appointments and untreated health concerns, putting both the mothers and their babies at risk.

Madaraja Foundation’s initiative targeting teenage mothers

Recognizing the urgent need to support these vulnerable teenage mothers, the Madaraja Foundation has taken proactive steps to extend essential sexual reproductive health services to them. Through monthly outreach programs in Kanikwa village, Madaraja Foundation ensures that these young mothers have access to vital healthcare services and support. Madaraja Foundation strives to make sexual reproductive health services more accessible, reduce stigma, and empower teenage mothers to take charge of their reproductive health.

Outreach impact and achievements

In its third outreach held on the 10^th of January 2024, the Madaraja Foundation served a total of 79 clients, immunizing 37 children below 5 years, providing antenatal care to 16 women, administering Tetanus Toxoid vaccinations to 5 women, and offering family planning services to 14 women. Furthermore, 4 individuals were tested for HIV, and 3 received vital psychosocial support.

Through integrated service delivery, the outreach addressed a myriad of pressing healthcare needs, from antenatal and postnatal care for mothers to immunizations for children under five. It also provided vital family planning services and information, dispelling myths and misconceptions while offering a pathway to informed choices. Importantly, the event also shed light on the silent scourge of gender-based violence, offering screening and psychosocial support to those in need, particularly teenage mothers who often suffer in silence.

Community participation and future outlook

The success of the outreach was deeply woven into the fabric of community participation. From health workers from Kyampisi Health Centre III providing essential services to volunteers engaging in health education sessions, each participant played a vital role in fostering positive change. The event not only provided crucial healthcare services but also served as a catalyst for community engagement, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and the local population. Partners like Vijana Corps also play a crucial role in supporting activities during the outreach.

As the sun set on Kanikwa village, the impact of the medical outreach lingered in the air, a testament to the transformative power of collective action. Looking ahead, the Madaraja Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing sexual reproductive health access and promoting community well-being. With sustained efforts and ongoing partnerships, the foundation aims to continue its journey of empowerment, one community at a time.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of teenage mothers by participating in the outreach as a volunteer, making financial contributions, or donating lightly used baby items, sanitary pads, and clothes.

Together, we can empower teenage mothers and build healthier, more resilient communities.