My name is apoya Alvin. Iam 24 years from rubongi, sub county Parish, Toronto Street, a beneficiary from UDHA/TASO program.  I came to know about the program through my LC1. I was moving around mobilizing girls. Who dropped out of school between 10 years to 24 years. I realized I was one of the girls.

The LC1 told me to go to the sub County which I did and i found other members/ AGYWs and also the UDHA staff. We were introduced to UDHA. And we enrolled into the system. We're told to to choose. The mentor and the safe space. After then, then the health workers. We're tested for HIV. The health workers taught us a lot. They taught us about family planning. Use of condom. Gender-Based violence. On many things. They even introduced us a drug called prep. Where I was given one. You know, what's up?. We used to meet twice a week. that is Tuesday and Fridays  where the health workers used to come thoroughly to teach us about heath services.

Back those days. When the health workers had no tested us, I had never tested for HIV. And i didn’t  know anything about prep. So they gave me prep. I now not prep back those days. I used to have three boyfriends. I used to sleep with them just because of money, because i can.

I couldn't buy anything for myself. I used to sleep with men without using condom without even asking them to test before intercousles. So, when would I talked to them and  introduced all those things and taught them about prevention of HIV and testing? I told them to go and test  and some refused to go for testing and  another one allowed to test and he is the one I am currently staying with.

So, we tested with him. We're all negative.

I used to sleep with them. Then when they they gave me prep. I dropped the prep because they tested me negative, so I'm faithful to that man. That one man I'm remaining with who allowed rest with me? So, in December last year, I would have brought some skills to us where I chose baking.

They brought Artisans to to teach herself to bake. I can now. They told us how to make mandasi sambusa. Cakes, pancakes, among others. So I now baking my Village. I bake mandarin, a big sambusa. And among others, I Supply to my nearby shops to some schools. I now earn my own money.

I'm now happy I can now support the family. I can now pay school fees for my young brother. I'm now faithful to that one man back those days. I used to sleep with those men just because of money, but now, I can now make, make my own hair can now buy anything I want because I'm earning. And now, we now save in our sub county every Friday. We meet and we serve. We are so grateful for you that. Thank you. Thank you so much UDHA/ TASO for supporting me achieve my dreams.