Something for Something Love Campaign

According to the organisers, "Something for Something" love is a relationship where sex is given in exchange for favours, money, or gifts. The Something for Something campaign was created to complement the Rock Point 256 drama series. In year one, the series concentrated on transactional sex. According to the organisers, young people aged 15-24 were given three clear messages: abstain from sex until you are ready to settle down for a long-term relationship; set long-term goals that you do not compromise for material gain; and do not give or receive gifts or favours in exchange for sex. Adults were also given a message: examine your personal role in protecting young people.

To reinforce the drama messages, the following strategies were used:

• Supportive Media Materials - Radio spots, comic books, posters, fact sheets, branded exercise books, billboards, and street poles have all been used to reinforce Something for Something Love messages in schools, sports clubs, faith-based groups, youth clubs, workplaces, and in the armed forces throughout the country.
• Radio Drama Contest and Letter Management System - In May, June, and July 2006, YEAH organised a journalism contest for young people in partnership with the Major School of Journalism and Ugandan newspapers. The contest aimed to stimulate community dialogue about transactional sex. More than 800 young people wrote articles about transactional sex and what their schools and communities are doing about the practice.
• National Journalism Contest - This contest was organised in collaboration with three major daily newspapers in Uganda. Young people were invited to write articles on their experiences with Something for Something Love. The best writers had their articles published, and received recognition and prizes during a high profile ceremony in Kampala in August 2006.
• Life Choices Interactive DVD and Facilitators Guide - YEAH finalised and distributed these materials to young people serving organisations and networks. YEAH also conducted training-of-trainers for young people on use of the tools, management and leadership skills, and YEAH activity reporting requirements.
• Community Guide for Community Action Against Something for Something Love - With technical assistance from HCP, YEAH worked with youth groups to develop a six-step approach to mobilising communities against something for something love. The Guide includes exercises and information that youth groups can use to mobilise their schools and communities. In August 2006, YEAH began training trainers from youth-serving groups in the use of this tool.
• Listen In...Look Out Listening Guide for Groups of Young People - YEAH also developed this guide for Rock Point 256 Listening Groups, and began training youth-serving organisations in its use. The Guide is distributed together with audio cassettes and CDs of the radio serial drama.

The second Phase of the Campaign was themed "Be a Man".

Click here to download the Something for Something Love Campaign Strategy in PDF format.

Click here to access posters created for this campaign.

Click here to access billboards created for this campaign.

HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Youth, Gender.

According to the organisers of "Something for Something" Love Campaign, young people are often pressured to do things that they would not normally do, like having unwanted or unprotected sex. These relationships usually cause problems for young people including unplanned pregnancy, dropping out of school, abortions, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Violence is common in Something for Something Love, especially if the young person refuses sex or tries to end the relationship. For adults, Something for Something Love often results in broken marriages or violence if the wife or husband learns about it.