Growing up, Mary Nakimwero faced the same struggles young people in her community in Masooli parish, Kassanda district encounter such as limited knowledge about her body, uncertainty about family planning, and doubts about professional health services. Like many girls, myths, misconceptions, and stigma around sexual and reproductive health kept her from making informed decisions.
This changed when Mary became part of TeamUp Uganda program. Through youth club sessions and community health outreaches, she learned about family planning options, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STIs), and where to access professional services.
With support from trained peer educators and health workers, Mary gained accurate knowledge about her body and learned how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Today, she confidently visits health facilities for professional SRHR services, a shift that reflects the program’s broader goal of increasing utilisation of youth-friendly healthcare services among young women and men.
Mary is now a peer voice of change. She actively shares what she has learned with other young people in her village, encouraging them to adopt healthier lifestyles and access services without fear or shame. By talking openly about issues like menstrual hygiene, family planning, and STI prevention, she is helping to break down stigma and misconceptions in her community.
“I now know my options, and I can confidently guide my friends to seek the right services. TeamUp has shown me that it is possible to have a future where my health is protected ,” says Mary.
Mary’s story is one of many showing how TeamUp Uganda is reducing teenage pregnancies, lowering HIV/STI risks, and equipping young people to take charge of their health and future.
