The University of Calgary has partnered with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology on the Healthy Adolescents and Young People (HAY!) project. The HAY! initiative builds on the Mama Toto project and aims to support the sexual and reproductive health of young people, aged 10 – 24. HAY! focuses on three districts in southwestern Uganda: Bushenyi, Rubirizi, and Ntungumo to bolster a network of village health teams. With the Covid-19 pandemic, young people have been returning to their rural communities. As such there has been an increased concern about lack of access for sexual and reproductive health and services, increasing family tensions, and mental health issues, and unsafe behaviour. As the pandemic continues to shape how local communities react, the HAY! team will adjust to support youth in rural communities.
