Y.E.A.H was established in 2004 in response to the Uganda AIDS Commission’s call for sustainable and coordinated behavior change communication aimed at reducing the prevalence of HIV and AIDS, adolescent pregnancies and early school leaving among young people. Y.E.A.H is formed through a partnership of Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) and Straight Talk Foundation (STF) with technical assistance from Health Communication Partnership (HCP).

Y.E.A.H’s vision for young people in Uganda is:
“Empowered young men and women in Uganda who are happy, healthy, and reaching their full potential in a supportive, protective and gender equitable environment”.

Y.E.A.H’s mission is to:
“Stimulate dialogue and action among communities, families, schools, and health institutions; and model positive practices through local and national media.”

Y.E.A.H is implemented following 7 Guiding Strategies which are:

1. Giving Young People a Voice
2. Building a national coalition for coordinated Behaviour Change Communication among Young People
3. Creating a Visible Brand –the ‘Y.E.A.H’ brand
4. Employing entertainment-education approaches
5. Challenging gender norms
6. Following proven principles of strategic communication for social change
7. Establishing a system to leverage funds from multiple sources

Y.E.A.H receives funding from The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Save the Children in Uganda and UNICEF.

Also see:

• YEAH’s Organizational Structure
• Where We Work