STF also believes that: • Adolescents explore their sexuality as a natural part of growing up. • Adolescent sexual activity brings great risks. • For adolescents, abstinence is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and HIV/STDs. • Adolescents have the right to information about sexual health and the obligation to make responsible choices.

Beliefs and values                    
Values permeate STF at all levels. STF believes that:

• All children should be loved.
• The family is the fundamental unit of society.

History
Registered as an NGO in 1997, Straight Talk Foundation (STF) is a Ugandan NGO that uses radio, print and face-to-face work to help adolescents “re-script” their lives. It grew out of Straight Talk, a teen newspaper started in 1993. STF’s goal is to contribute to improved sexual and reproductive health and development of adolescents (10-19) in Uganda.

Mission
Improving the lives of adolescents through quality behaviour change communication programmes.

Objectives
• Increased adoption of safer sexual and reproductive health practices among in and out of school adolescents.

• Safe and supportive environment for adolescent sexual and reproductive health in schools, families and communities promoted.

Services to the community               
Newspapers: STF's newspapers are adolescent-driven and age -appropriate. They are sent to almost 15,000 schools and are further distributed by 600 institutions and CBO's , NGO's and churches. They are also inserted into The New Vision.

Young Talk: For adolescents, aged 10-14, in primary school: Print run 430,000 copies per month,10 issues a year: Key messages include: abstain know your rights, stay in school.

Straight Talk: For secondary school adolescents and youth aged 15-24: print run 260,000 copies per month 10 issues a year: key messages include: know your body, understand your emotions ,wait or use condoms, Life skills and health care.

Local Languages Publication
Einer Eitena (Ateso) 2 issues a year, 80,000 copies per print, Twogere Kkaati (Luganda) 2 issues a year 150,000 copies per print Tusheeshuure (Runyankore) 2 issues a year 150, 0000 copies per print Baza Busimba (Runyoro/Rutoro) 2 issues a year 80,000 copies per print Eyo Eceza Tra Ri (Lugbara) 2 issues a year 150,000 copies per print. These are for out-of-school youth. Key messages include: use condoms, seek STD treatment, and prevention of early pregnancy.

Outreach and Training                
A Straight Talk team of counselors, nurse/midwives and doctors visit 12 secondary schools per term. On each visit the team spends two days with teachers and four with students. Guided by teachers and students, the team helps draw up adolescent health action plans and personal strategies for safer sex. Sensitisation methods include role-plays and one-on-one counseling.

Primary schools are visited by an STF development worker. Over 600 primary school teachers are sensitized per year

Counseling and Volunteerships         
Counseling is provided to any adolescent who rings or comes to STF. Adolescents are welcome to volunteer at STF to develop personal and on school holiday work skills. Every adolescent who writes to STF is replied to and gets a copy of the newspaper and a sticker.