Our Founders
YEI was founded by two young people, Kambasu Obed WBC and Masereka Enos, who first met in 2004 while volunteering during an anti-mine action programme following the end of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgency in western Uganda.
The friends formed the idea to start an organization rooted in sensitizing local communities to HIV/AIDS awareness after Kambasu told Masereka about his aunt who died in 2003, leaving behind three orphaned children.
At the time, the family had not yet learned of AIDS and attributed her death to witchcraft. But during the anti-mine action programme the following year, Masereka, an experienced counselor trained in HIV care and support, explained to Kambasu that the likely cause of his aunt's death was HIV/AIDS.
He encouraged Kambasu to have the three orphaned children tested. All three children tested HIV-positive.
The tragedy of the children's results made clear to both Kambasu and Masereka that many people in the area were dying of HIV/AIDS related illnesses because they were unaware of the disease and available treatment options.
In July 2004, the two friends launched YEI with the aim of sensitizing communities to HIV/AIDS and to provide children and youth with the self-support skills to protect themselves against the disease.
Kambasu holds a First-class (honours) degree and post-graduate training in project management and leads YEI as the Programme Coordinator. Masereka is a graduate teacher and counselor and serves as the Volunteers Coordinator.
My parents were unable to meet my school fees so at 13 I dropped out of school. I then joined a group of boys in my village who introduced me to drug abuse, theft and other bad behavior. I ended up in prison and that is where I met YEI volunteers who advised inmates to change their behavior. I didn't take them seriously at first, but when I was released from prison I had second thoughts and decided to go to YEI and speak to their counselors. They suggested that I enroll as a community volunteer and I am now among the most respected positive change youth activists in my village. I also went back to school and am now the Coordinator of School Drama Groups at YEI. I can't believe it. But my message to all is that it is never too late to change!
Kule,,
18 years-old and YEI Community Volunteer in Nyakiyumbu.
