Nantale learned she can have a different future
13/11/26
On the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, Nantale* and her classmates are gaining the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships and futures.
Nantale is 14 years old and one of the top-performing students in her Primary 7 class. She takes pride in her academic potential and sees new possibilities for her future.
But she hasn’t always felt this way.
‘Before, I didn’t know how to be confident in life,’ she explains.
When Nantale joined her school’s Wise Choices For Life club, she began attending sessions twice a month on health, body awareness and informed decision-making.
Through these conversations, she learnt more about her body and developed the confidence to speak up for herself.
‘I learnt to be assertive and confident,’ Nantale says. ‘Knowing about the dangers of teenage pregnancies gave me the power to say no – and yes to my education.’
Her teachers have noticed the change in her attitude towards learning. Nantale now approaches her education with a stronger sense of direction.
Change in the classroom
Nantale’s experience is part of a wider change at her rural primary school.
Teacher Wafana remembers when teenage pregnancies regularly interrupted girls’ education.
‘The situation was bad. We used to have about seven pregnancies every year.’
Following encouragement from the school district, local teachers took part in WCFL training. They then began teaching students twice a month using the ‘My amazing body’ curriculum.
The sessions gave girls and boys opportunities to ask questions, develop self-awareness and strengthen their relationship and decision-making skills. As students learnt together, boys also began supporting their female classmates.
Wafana says the difference has been tangible.
‘School enrolment has improved, and we are no longer losing our best pupils to early pregnancies.’
Looking ahead with confidence
For Nantale, this learning has become part of how she approaches her own life. She describes being more assertive, understanding her choices and choosing to focus on her education.
Her words capture what that change means to her: she can imagine a different future, and she is taking steps towards it.
*We are using a pseudonym to protect Nantale’s privacy.
