Gallery
Epilepsy Day Celebrations
Epilepsy day usually happens at the sub-county headquarters and is an open invite to the community leadership, Non Governmental Organisations providing care and support and more importantly people living with the condition and well wishers to come together to share their experiences and celebrate successes
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Epilepsy Support/Self help groups
The Purple Bench Initiative’s epilepsy support groups create safe, inclusive spaces where people living with epilepsy and their caregivers can connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. In communities where stigma and isolation are common, these peer-led groups foster a deep sense of belonging, emotional resilience, and practical support
Path to Epilepsy Smart Communities
Epilepsy Smart Communities is a project of Purple Bench Initiatives in Masaka that creates understanding of epilepsy within community organisations and service providers to support policies that favour people living with epilepsy and their caregivers ​
The 50 Million Steps Campaign
The 50 Million Steps epilepsy awareness campaign and record their steps every 2nd Monday of February. It is the climax of a week long set of activities that focuses on building awareness and engaging stakeholders to support people living with Epilepsy
Youth Connect
​The Purple Bench Initiative Youth Network is a dynamic, youth-led space created by and for young people living with epilepsy. It fosters peer learning through shared lived experiences, builds support networks that offer mentorship and connection, and champions education and advocacy within youth spaces.
School Awareness Programmes
These activities focus on creating a safe education spaces in which young people living with Epilepsy can learn and thrive to achieve their full potential. This entails educating their peers and educators about epilepsy, seizure identification and first aid.
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IBE International Golden Light
The IBE International Golden Light Awards recognise the contributions of people affected by epilepsy in their community and those who care for them.
Epilepsy Support/Self help groups
Caregivers within PBI's bench areas have formed support groups where they share their experiences and implement their project ideas to improve their livelihoods. Members gather once a month at a different members home to support a home improvement idea identified.
Community Outreach
The main community outreach activity is the marking of International Epilepsy Day. For the last two years, Care givers and people with epilepsy in Kyanamukaaka Sub-County have celebrated the day with speeches, songs and personal stories, and pooled food items for their guests who include religeous and cultural leaders, members of the Local Government and residents from various parts of the District of Masaka.
Stigma Training for health and Social Care providers
At the grassroots where stigma is rife, correct information and knowledge regarding epilepsy is crucial to enable health service access at the village level. Purple Bench Initiative endeavors to train health providers at village level in epilepsy awareness, patient care and basic Seizure First Aid to cater for those living with epilepsy and other neurological disorders within the community
Play Corner / Art for awareness
Originally created to ease clinic days and foster child- doctor interaction, the Purple Bench Play Corner has expanded to become a safe, inclusive space designed for children living with epilepsy to learn, play, and express themselves freely without fear or stigma. It provides age-appropriate educational materials and trained facilitators who promote awareness, inclusion, and psychosocial support.
Flying the Purple Bench Initiative
Purple Bench Initiative's best allies are children. PBI works with young people for the sustainability of the awareness and advocacy objectives. These are the best vehicle for carrying the messages far and wide within their communities through art, songs, stories and drama.
