Family Planning Days

Sunday, MIHV hosted the first of four “Family Planning Days”


After a rainy morning, we had a beautiful afternoon. Over 250 people attended, including many of MIHV’s target audience – teens and men. The idea for the “Days” is to bring in communities not served by other MIHV outreach programs and invite them to an event that is both fun and provides information on family planning.

The average Ugandan woman has 6.7 children, the highest fertility rate of any country in eastern and southern Africa. Although most Ugandans know about family planning (96.6% of all women and 98.1% of all men can name at least one method), usage of contraceptives is fairly low. Just 24% of women age 15-49 report using any method of family planning and when limited to modern methods, this number drops to 18% and further yet to 15% in rural areas.

The people gathered seemed to enjoy the afternoon; children danced to the drumming and songs and the crowd often erupted into laughter while they watched the drama show, which depicted a married couple struggling to handle their nine children.

I interviewed a lot of men in their late teens through early thirties. They had come to the event for many reasons – some just came to watch the football game, one was taking care of 13 children and knew he and his wife couldn’t afford another pregnancy, more often, they had heard a little bit about family planning, but had never used any form of contraception and came to learn more.

A small part of me doubted that one community event would change things. If 98% of men have heard of family planning and few are using contraception, how is one afternoon going to change their habits?

I was reminded, talking to one man, that the way we receive messages can make all the difference. Do, 25, is a farmer and father of two. He explained to me that he had never used birth control before, although he had heard messages about family planning on the radio. “I listened, but never really took any notice,” but he said, “now I see.”

A box with no hinges, key or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid

Yesterday, I wanted to take a photo of the Minnesota International Health Volunteers sign that sits at the beginning of the turn off to our Ssembabule office. As I walked down the muddy turn off, a woman was walking along the path with her goats. She did not speak any English, but seeing my camera, she began gesturing for me to cross the road with her and pointed to my camera and then to her three little boys standing in her yard across the street.


We cross the road and she eagerly lines the boys up. I motion for the boys to come towards me, into the sun light, and she hurries them along. I photograph her and her children and then thank them and leave.

Later, as I’m waiting at the office for the Family Planning Implementation Team meeting to start, I think about those little boys. I go to my room and take a handful of Starburst out of my duffel and I make my way back down the turn off and give the woman the little yellow, pink and orange candies. She smiles broadly and gives the sweets to her children.

Today, I am in my room working and Mabol, MIHV's cook, comes to my room. Mabol speaks a bit of English and I hear her say from the hallway, “Sarah”…”Madam for you.” There is a woman standing a few feet from the door, but I do not recognize her. I have met so many people in the last two days that I am confused. Is this a woman I met in the market? Was she at the meeting yesterday? I smile and nod to her and Mabol then explains, “She says you took her photograph.” Now I remember. The woman comes to the doorway and kneels down on the steps. She holds up three eggs to give me.

I ask if I can pay her for them. Mabol interprets and the woman shakes her head no. Really, I say, I would like to. I think about the children’s bare feet and dirty clothes.

“Gift” Mabol says. I nod.