.....there were two people called Waiswa and Edith. These two people became my teaching aids for teaching about teenage pregnancy. Story-telling was one of my favourite non-formal education techniques and was really effective-they really believed in Waiswa and Edith and each time I told the story it became more and more elaborate. So if you're interested in seeing the kind of lessons I've been teaching read on to find out what happened to Waiswa and Edith....
Waiswa and Edith were in S2 (year 8). They were both 15 years old and they had been friends for a long time. They liked to watch the school sports together and sometimes they would play ludo with their friends. Edith was top of her class and one day dreamed of becoming a doctor while Waiswa enjoyed English and wanted to become a teacher one day. Edith liked Waiswa a lot and really enjoyed spending time with him. Then one day when they were walking home from the football match near the trading centre Waiswa turned to Edith and told her "I think you're so beautiful, I really like you". Edith laughed, she was embaressed but also excited as she liked Waiswa a lot, more than her other friends who were boys. Waiswa asked Edith "would you be my girl-lover (girlfriend)". Edith was a bit shy, she had not expected this but she knew Waiswa was a nice guy so she agreed. From that day on they were girl lover and boy lover.
A few months passed and they had fun. They would play ludo together, sometimes they would go for a soda in the town and Waiswa would sometimes help Edith carry her jerry can home from the bore hole. Both of them were very happy. At school Waiswa's friends started asking him about Edith. "So what is going on with you and Edith?!" they would ask. "Have you played sex with her?" . Waiswa replied that things were going well but that he had not had sex with her. He told his friends that they were both abstaining from sex until they were older. His friends laughed at him and told him "Ah you are not a man unless you have sex with her" "If you don't have sex with her she will get bored and find another boyfriend". Waiswa ignored his friends and told them he was happy to abstain and that was what Edith wanted. The problem was his friends continued to tease him and over time Waiswa started to wonder if his friends were right.
A few weeks later Waiswa invited Edith to his place to play ludo. This was normal and Edith often went there to play ludo so she agreed. When she reached his place she discovered that there was nobody at home. His parents were still digging with his brothers and sisters. It was just Edith and Waiswa at home. They started playing ludo but Waiswa had other things on his mind. He told Edith "you know I love you so much". Edith was smiling lots as she loved Waiswa too. "You are so beautiful and I want to show you how much I love you" he told her. Edith wondered what was going on. "I want you to come to my bedroom". Then Edith realised what he was asking. She told him "No, Waiswa we agreed we would abstain. We are still young what is the rush?". Waiswa told her that "you would if you love me". Edith kept saying "no" but she was worried that Waiswa would leave her if she didn't say yes. After another game of ludo and Waiswa asking lots more times she finally said yes and she went to his bedroom. I think you can guess what happens next.....
*The whole class erupts in screams*
Neither Waiswa or Edith had planned for this and they hadn't spoken about it before it happened so they didn't have a condom. Afterwards Edith felt like she had made a mistake. She felt like she had sinned and was not at all happy. The next day at school Edith was too embarassed to even look at Waiswa and Waiswa was sad that they had done it because now Edith was not talking to him. Waiswa told his friends. He thought they would be impressed but they said they didn't care.
A month had passed and Edith had not had her menstruation period. She thought it was strange but just ignored it. Then a second month passed and she still had no menstruation period. She went to the doctor and was tested for pregnancy. It was positive. Edith cried and cried. She told the doctor it couldn't be true but the doctor told her the test was very accurate. The doctor asked Edith to come back every month for a check up.
What do you think happened next? (I would then do a brain storm on the consequences for Waiswa-prison, drop out of school, forced marriage, poverty, STIs including HIV, threats from Edith's family etc, and the consequences for Edith-Drop out of school, problems delivering, sickness for her and the baby, poverty caring for the child, STIs etc.). This was to illustrate the responsibilty lies with boys and girls.
After Edith had found out she was really scared to tell anyone. She knew that people would find out soon though and she decided to tell Waiswa. "Waiswa I have not had menstruation period since that day at your house". "I went to the doctor and he told me I'm pregnant".
Waiswa was shocked. He didn't believe Edith he told her "but how can you be pregnant it only happened once?".
"Once is enough. The doctor tested me. It is true."
Waiswa didn't know what to do. "We are just 15, how can we have a baby?"
What do you think they should do next? Next we would discuss their options and what you should do if you are in this situation (don't reun away, visit the doctor regularly, look after your health and tell a trusted adult).
Waiswa started thinking about what people would say if they found out. He was sure his family would hate him and might throw him out. He had an idea...
"Edith we are too young to have this baby, we have to get rid of it. I will get the money for you to have an abortion. Just don't tell anyone".
Discussion on abortion (it is illegal in Uganda, it is very very dangerous leading to death, incontinence, infertility in the future.)
Edith knew about abortion. They had told her about it at school. So she responded to Waiswa "It is too dangerous. I am still young and I don't want to die. I can't have an abortion".
Waiswa apologised. He didn't know what could happen to her if she had an abortion.
Edith knew she had to tell someone. He mother was tough so she feared to tell her and her father was always away. She had a nice aunt who was always kind so she went to her place to talk to her. When she told her aunt the aunt was angry. She shouted at Edith "you stupid girl why have you become pregrnant? You were doing well at school and now you have ruined it all". Edith felt sad. All of this because of one day, and one mistake. After a bit of time Edith's aunt calmed down and she went with Edith to tell her mother. Her mother was angry, upset and they all cried a lot. When Edith's mother had calmed down she decided that she would help Edith if she could and offered to go with her to the health centre for check-ups each month.
As the months passed Edith became anxious about producing and she had to leave school. The doctor told her "you will have to the hospital in Kayunga to have the baby. You are very young and your body is not ready. They might have to give you an operation to get the baby out." Edith was frightened, she had never had an operation.
When the time came, Edith did as she was recommended and went to Kayunga district hospital. Edith was lucky and both her and the baby were healthy. She had to have an operation though so she was weak. One of the nurses told her "You were lucky. Last week we had a girl here who was also 15. When she delivered the baby was born dead. Having babies when you are still young is dangerous."
After returning home Edith and Waiswa were forced to marry by their parents. They found a place to live and had to look after themselves and their new baby. Life was difficult. Waiswa did what he could to earn enough money to feed them all. Waiswa and Edith were sad too. All their friends were enjoying school. They could all go and watch the sports day at the school and their friends were having fun without them. Edith had to stay at home to care for the baby and couldn't afford anything for herself. Waiswa was working everyday so while their friends were having fun they had a lot of responsibility.
What could Edith and Waiswa have done to have avoided this happening? (Edith should have been assertive, Waiswa should not have listened to the peer pressure of his friends, they should have avoided the tempting situation, the should have used a condom or family planning etc.)
Waiswa looked at Edith and said "All this because of one day. I can't believe we are like this."
Just as a note, I've tried to make this as close to the actual lesson hence my use of Ugandan English throughout!
