MAHIPSO, a Uganda Youth-Led Organization Part of A Larger Gathering at ICASA 2017

We at MAHIPSO, believe in working hand in hand with so many other actors as we fight HIV. We thank all of you, our friends for supporting us. We thank everyone who made sure, put in that extra effort, and ensured we are part of ICASA 2017.

MAHIPSO, started as a Younger People Peer Education and Support Club. We later engaged in mobilizing communities to donate blood. As we canvassed South Uganda rural communities, we realized there was a need for HIV Prevention and Care targeting Younger People. We made up our mind to tackle all three issues. I want to be honest, it is not easy. We have had threats, fears, denials for sponsorship and in two cases, we were told by funders that they approached people supposed to recommend us and these people wrote negatively about us. We did not receive funding and we never gave up. We have never closed, we work on terribly shoestring budget but we are grateful to friends who believe in us. 

MAHIPSO serves Greater Masaka region: Masaka, Ssembabule, Kalangala, Lwengo, Rakai, Kyotera, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi.

MAHIPSO, has since 2015 made several community outreaches and currently we have connected 25 younger people living with HIV for ART.

We are so glad we shall attend this ICASA 2017.

ICASA 2017 conference theme “Africa: Ending AIDS-delivering differently” engages the whole continent and all stakeholders in the post SDG framework, where sustainability of the response in reaching 90, 90, 90 of UNAIDS will not be possible if Human rights are not key priority for a new vision of leadership in the context of strengthening the application of science based evidence.

The 19th ICASA is an opportunity to renew this global commitment by drawing the world’s attention to the fact that the legacy is now under threat as a result of the global economic downturn. This year’s ICASA is an opportunity for the international community, and all Africans, to join efforts in committing to achieving an AIDS-free Africa. Given the urgency of the issue we are anticipating 7 000 -10 000 of the world’s leading scientists, policy makers, activists, PLHIV, government leaders – as well as a number of heads of state and civil society representatives – will be joining the debate on how to achieve this vision.

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http://icasa2017cotedivoire.org/

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Nairobi, Kenya: International Christian Youth Network; MAHIPSO At An International Forum

I am currently attending a conference organized by the International Christian Youth under the International Youth Network. The Network aims at establishing spaces where building capacity for younger persons can come together to learn and share every November.

The event is both a learning and fan filled one. There are all sorts of games from volleyball, athletics, soccer, netball, swimming to music, storytelling, poetry, spelling bee competition, craftwork and oration.

This year’s event is unique in that, we are exploring how to develop our other human dimensions such as: spirituality, interpersonal relations, intrapersonal relations, human rights, sustainable development, governance, and accountability.

As the CEO of MAHIPSO, Got a chance to talk about our history:

MAHIPSO began as a mobilization organization encouraging youths to donate blood; later we were able to identify youths who were leaving with HIV whom we linked to HIV service provision facilities; we also had identified activities to address intimate partner violence. So, we have continued our main activities in these three interventions. We are registered formally with Masaka District Administration as a CBO. Our catchment area: Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lwengo, Masaka, Kyotera, Rakai, Kalangala and Ssembabule. We serve the Greater Masaka Region.

Joseph Ssemanda and one of the ICY Convenors in Nairobi, Kenya

The Directors and friends we met at ICY are amazing

The song goes: make new friends while you also keep the old

ICY Poster and Logo

Mentor

Mentorship

Mentorship

One of the Directors

Presenting a paper

Speed making friends

Hanging out with directors

Christened again!

Am so happy

In fact am so fortunate to be working with the best there is

Community time

Learn while you work

Selfie

My presentation

The Five Things We believe In At MAHIPSO

We are God fearing!

God first in everything


We value all people!

The second is the value we have for each and everyone we serve


We hold regular planning meetings!

We believe that meetings help us build a deeper working relationship within our organzation


We share our skills!

We believe that sharing our skills helps us understand the vision and mission of MAHIPSO


We report back to you

In whatever we do, you are the reason why we do it at MAHIPSO

HIV Testing and Treatment at Masaka Liberation Grounds on 13th September 2017

MAHIPSO HIV Testing and Treatment Campaign!!

Come and be part of the HIV Testing and Treatment

Don’t miss it

We shall be at Masaka Liberation Grounds

The date is 13th/09/2017

No gate fee

It is free of charge

Whether you are from:

Kayanja, Lukolo, Katikamu,

Mujuzi, Bunyonyi, Nkoma,

Kalambi, Kaganda, Budda,

Kyanja, Kyabakuza, Kitovu,

Bulando, Kitwe, Masaka Bypass,

Nyendo, Elgin Road, Gayaza, 

Broadway Street, Nalubale Street,

Buddu Street, Hobart Avenue,

Edward Avenue, Speke Drive,

Welcome, Kako, Kadduagala,

Mukoko, Kayunga, Bukalasa, Katigondo,

Villa-Maria, Kitengeesa, Kitenga and all villages

in the Greater Masaka Area

Linking Frequently Asked Questions By Youths in Greater Masaka To Service Interventions

We shall provide you with serialized articles on experiences of youths in Greater Masaka and service delivery.

This time we bring you an article on how we linked the question on HIV and service interventions.

The question: Where in Greater Masaka Region can a persons living with HIV find services to support them in leading quality productive lives?

Remember in Greater Masaka we have: Masaka, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Rakai, Ssembabule and Kalangala districts.

The health facilities in Masaka, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Rakai, Ssembabule and Kalangala districts are positioned to provide HIV testing and treatment. The term comprehensive HIV services comes into the picture when treatment transitions from a medical to psychosocial level.

Extra psychosocial services may include: engaging in spiritual exploration and practice; doing regular light work; going to school; being part of community activities ranging from clearing the water sources to mobilization for say, immunization. Being HIV positive should not be a reason for you to be isolated or isolate yourself.

It is good to be familiar with other departments other than health in Masaka, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Rakai, Ssembabule and Kalangala districts. The simple reason is that, these other departments are involved in the welfare of the general populations. These departments run such services like: fisheries; tree-planting; construction; education to name but a few. If a person is familiar with these departments, it helps this person to plan how to be engaged in productive work and to know about existing opportunities.

We hope these series will help you explore meaningful life in Greater Masaka Region.