1.       Introduction

The aim of the Mentorship program is full integration of children into Mentorship activities as part of the IBES conceptual implementation in Primary Schools and the schools’ surrounding communities. This can be achieved if children have a forum through which they can channel their valuable participation and contributions. The SAS Winners’ Society was formed to facilitate this crucial need, and at the same time create an environment conducive to an integrated learning that will lead to the achievement of the aims and objectives of the IBES concept of HIV eradication

2.       Aims Of June/October Activities

The aims of the SAS Winners’ Society Presidential Elections and the Presidential Summit were to create an opportunity and anticipation for participation of all stakeholders in the children’s activities, thus perpetuate and inculcate ownership of the forum.

3.       The Objectives

·         To mobilize all the children towards a common cause for their leadership forum.

·         To acquaint children to electing their own leaders for their forum.

·         To mobilize teachers to get involved in the organization of children’s forum activities.

·         To make opportunity for competition among children in order to raise their morale and interest for participation in the forum’s activities.

·         To involve children, teachers and the parents towards a collective effort and common goal in order to raise support for the forum.

·         To build cohesive and viable community relationship through the principle of the “common cause”

·         To create  opportunity for confidence building in the children’s forum leadership

·         To enhance the realization of the Winners Society children’s self confidence, self esteem and negotiation skills through election

·         To expose children to national common goal initiatives and activities such as fighting HIV.

·         To use such children’s gatherings to sensitize themselves about the danger of HIV and how it can be avoided.

·         To allow the children’s voice to be heard concerning their effort towards  HIV eradication

·         To use such a forum to beckon the entire nation and specifically children of the forum’s age group to join in the effort to stop the HIV destructive waive.

4.       Activities

(1)     June Elections

·         The June election preparation activities involved teachers, parents, mentors and other members of the society as each school was vying for the national presidency of the society.

·         The election day drew participants from all the participating Schools in the Nakawa, Rubaga, Makindye divisions of Kampala district; Kira town council, Entebbe Municipality in Wakiso District.

·         The election activities involved the screening of the nominees, the canvassing for votes by the finalists, and voting by secret ballot. Present were; the Chairperson of SAS Foundation as the Chief Observer, Head of Mentorship as the Chief Returning Officer, School Deputies, Head teachers and teachers.

·         Also present were journalists from various media houses, Television and Radio stations.

(2)     October Presidential summit:

       The aim of this activity was to complete the process which began in June 2007 with the election of the SAS Winners’ Society President. The Table below highlights the impact of the Summit  as an advocacy strategy for the SAS Winners Society program:

       By this activity, the following objectives were achieved:

·         The effective mobilization of the participating Schools to have shared group activities as one entity.

·         The mobilization of funds  by the majority of the participating Schools to provide full transport  to children;

·         Concerted effort and resources to prepare children to perform in music dance, drama, folk poem, messages to prevent HIV infection among children and adults.

·         Mobilization and participation of the large number of parents, Head Teachers/ Directors, The Division DEO;

·         The presence of politicians and the representatives from the Ministries of Education, Health and the Local government.

·         The presence of International representatives from the United States of America and South Africa

·         The presence of the leadership members of SAS Projects especially the Directors and the President of SAS projects.

·         The publication and news reports of the events in both electronic and print media

·         The pledges by both line Ministries of Education and Health to support the mentorship activities.

5.       The Objective outcome

The preliminary benefits of these two events in the life of mentorship are beginning to emerge and we hope that the long term benefits will follow suit sooner than later. The following significant Impact has been noticeable:

·         Mentors are enjoying unprecedented high level of respect, acceptance in the Schools and communities where they work.

·         Schools neighboring with participating Schools are now requesting to join the program.

·         Children have shown a high morale in attending mentorship activities more than ever before.

·         Teachers and Head Masters are enquiring for opportunities for their input in Winners society activities.

·         Parents are enquiring about the program and are seeking help from mentors more often.

·         Children are eager to start winners Society group activities voluntarily;

·         Other stakeholders are showing keen  interest in our work and want to partner with us.

·         And we expect the following social and learning impact:

1)       The high interest generated will enhance full commitment to the society

2)       Improvement in running of children’s group activities.

3)       Contribution to the children’s desire and willingness to participate in group activities.

4)       Make impact in children’s pride to belong to such a group.

5)       Raise children’s level of self esteem among peers.

6)       Increase the children’s morale to adopt the IBES principles of behavior development.

 Further impact is expected as follows:

7)       Learning is more likely to occur where interest in the subject is rated high.

8)       This will translate into a workable solution to the “booster dose” or “intense education strategy”.

9)       It will expedite  mentorship activities as we expand the program to other areas of the country

6.       Recommendations.

ü  Advocacy may be a costly venture, but if its objectives are well sought out, it can yield tremendous impact and future sustainable harvests.

ü  Well organized advocacy can facilitate meaningful community participation and

ü  Cultivate the spirit of volunteerism among stakeholders.

ü  Where possible kick-start funds should be set aside to facilitate advocacy which, with time, can attract community funding and reduce organizations financial burden.

The two functions would have been impossible without the sacrificial support of the following groups:

       The SAS Clinic.

       Dr. Robert Muhumuza and associates.

       The 16 Schools which transported children.

       The Century Bottling Company.