It’s a great opportunity for me to work for '' Kicking Aids Out Network”, since I started, many changes have been witnessed both in my personal life and the community level at large.
I come from one of the Districts in the central part of Uganda that is badly hit by the scourge, people are dying day and night something that at times bring arguments over their death forcing some to migrate to different places.
There is a time on my village when fifteen people died on the same day, their death was attributed to many things, some thought it was a curse from God, others witchcraft, but in actual sense it was AIDS.
Since my childhood I had never thought of being a “change agent” in my community and whenever I could see people down there involved in HIV/AIDS drama groups, I could not even respect and instead seeing them wasting time in un profitable programmes.
One day my home Football team was invited to play with a team on a neighboring village that was sponsored by the group, People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It was a very good match and ended 3-1 in our favor. Speeches were inspirational and touching; the one I will never forget was from the Chairperson of the group (PLWHA) who was advocating for the rights of the infected people and the fight against AIDS not people with AIDS.
I was so touched and felt if I could also join the group and make some change in my people who were dying at a very terrible speed. I joined the group but because of the fixed studying programme I as part of by then, I could not take long time working with them.
After a few years, Christian Sports Contact (CHRISC) was introduced in my area, this time, I was in my form six (HSC) vacation and because of the desire towards making a change within my community, and I could not hesitate joining the Organization. I therefore joined and started volunteering.
15th of December 2007, was the day I will never forget in my life, I received a call from the CHRISC National Coordinator informing me that I was selected to represent the Organization in a Kicking Aids Out Leader Level 1 training in Nairobi Kenya. For sure it was my first time to go out of my country; I was so happy and thanked God for that opportunity. We really had a good time.
Coming back to Uganda opened my door to community work; everyone was happy about my invitation and asked many questions regarding the foreign country, previous training and way forward in line with Kicking AIDS Out training.
I thank God that many people picked interest in the programme and that actually made my work a success. The following year, 2008, we organized trainings and workshops in different districts where Chrisc was and still is operating from. Surely, my dream of making an impact in my people has become a reality, the network is growing and many youths have been sensitized and changed, new interesting movement games have been created.
I thank the Kicking AIDS Out Network for this opportunity because what I am today in the community is attributed to them. My self-esteem and confidence have been built, the fame and respect in my people is also good.