Rev. Joshua Closes the Session in PrayerIringa Tanzania October 2011 - This past month the team conducted two outreaches to 4 secondary schools. 351 new students signed abstinence cards. The team also heard from a UCE club member who shared her story. The story has been edited for understandability (verb tense).

History of my life from primary school to secondary school
I was living a life in which I never thought I would return to normal life that I used to live before. When I was in primary school I behaved differently compared with secondary school before UCE came to educate us about abstinence.

In primary school I had many friends who were involved in relationships with boys. In general their behaviors were not good. They tried to encourage me to have boyfriends so that I will get money from them but I refused. Due to that they decided to stay away from me because I was different from them. I was in hard time because they were my friends.  I tried to go on with my life without them until I finished my primary education.

After primary education I joined Mtitu secondary school. I engaged in a relationship with my fellow student, automatically my performance in class dropped; I lost all opportunity to participate with other students especially boys because my boyfriend thought that I could have relationship with another one. In short I had no freedom in school; hence I was not able to participate in the discussion of any subjects with boys other than him.
One day, one of the teacher suspected that I have relationship with a boy. She called me in and explained to me the disadvantage of having boyfriend and engaging in sexual intercourse in school. She explained to me about everything like early pregnancy, and about sexual transmitted diseases. Really, I heard all from that teacher but i didn’t take any action about that because I continued with that relationship.

After the coming of UCE team, they explained the advantages and disadvantages of having a relationship, the disadvantages of sexual intercourse before marriage and advantages of abstinence, thank God I understood and I decided to stop it and abstain so as to live a healthy life. I decided to tell him (the Boy we had relationship) the truth about my decision because he was present when UCE team was educating us about abstinence. Even though he didn’t except it but I still continued with my strong decision. Thanks to UCE team for coming and educate us. These days I am happy and free to share anything with all students concerning my education because no one can disturb me. Thank you UCE team I learned many things from you.