When knowledge becomes confidence
At Mbale School for the Deaf, Anyes and Poni are seeing the difference that the Wise Choices For Life can make in the lives of young women.
The club has become a source of learning, support and encouragement. It has helped them understand more about their bodies, navigate challenges and grow in confidence.
Poni, 20, has been part of the club for about five years. She says she joined because it teaches students how to advise others, solve problems and understand their bodies.
She also values the learning materials provided through the club, explaining that for deaf students, visual resources make the information easier to understand.
For Poni, this learning has been closely connected to everyday life. She says it has helped her understand body changes, advise other students, and stay at school.
She wants more students to join the club so they too can receive this information, which she links to reducing school dropout, early pregnancy and HIV transmission.
Anyes (pictured on the left), now 23, joined the club when she was 16 and has been involved for eight years. She describes it as important for young people because it helps them understand different things that happen in the world and learn how to solve problems in life and in the community.
She gives the example of menstruation, saying the club has helped her understand it as a normal part of life.
Anyes also says the club has helped her develop communication skills. In particular, she speaks about the importance of humility, understanding a person’s character and using the right language when communicating with them. She describes this as especially important when others are facing conflict or disagreement.
She hopes there will be opportunities to take the training to other schools so more young people can understand its importance and benefit from it in the future.
