Saving lives of young girls

Growing up in the rural areas of Mityana district, over fifty kilometers from Kampala, 20 year Victoria aspired to be a lawyer- a profession she would use to protect children and other vulnerable people in her community. At the age of four, victoria’s parents encouraged to pursue her dream.

Her dream profession was shattered when her parent’s income changed. She dropped out of school and was left to fend for her life as young girl. “We went on for days without meals and basic necessities. We lived a miserable and appalling life,” narrates Victoria.

At 15 years, I started admiring my friends with latest trends in clothing and hair. I felt I needed to have them as well. Veronica was later enrolled into commercial sex to support her access basic needs and also support her family.

“I started buying whatever I needed from the little money I got from the men I slept with. Sometimes I could go with five to eight men in one night each giving me between UGX5, 000 to UGX10, 000. “At that time, I didn’t really understand the dangers of sleeping with multiple partners more so without protection. I only looked at what I was getting out of it.”

A community mobilization for the DREAMS project through a radio announcement changed her story to a determined and empowered safe young girl. DREAMS is a PEPFAR-led

public-private partnership designed to help girls in 10 sub-Saharan African countries develop into Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe women. In Uganda, Mildmay Uganda implements the DREAMS project in two districts in Central Uganda. Since its inception, DREAMS has reached over 36000 adolescent girls and young women with critical comprehensive HIV prevention to reduce their risk of HIV infection help them to know their HIV status, and ultimately prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Upon enrollment, Victoria was tested for HIV. “I could not believe that am HIV negative. I didn’t first accept because I thought I was already positive,” she said. It was a turning point in my life. I felt God had given me a second chance to live. Thanks to DREAMS. My dream was to become a lawyer and project has helped me build self- confidence as I purpose to become a voice for fellow young girls and their rights.