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Summary
Dalberg Media is working with Merck Group on the planning, content creation and facilitation of the Bilharzia Storytelling Lab in Kenya. The project will convene 20 community leaders and innovative storytellers in January 2021. The Lab is focused on developing innovative communication projects that can support elimination efforts in Schistosomiasis (known locally as Bilharzia) in Kenya.
All teams will take part in the competition of 10.000 USD for implementation of the project with Merck’s support. This seed funding will support the implementation of the pilot of the project, which can potentially be scaled up to other contexts.
Approach
The Bilharzia Storytelling Lab uses human-centered design thinking to create innovative communications project with impact at the core. Throughout the program the participants will have access to masterclasses and top experts from NGOs, foundations, corporates, universities, and the public sector. They will learn about behavioral change, powerful communications tools and key drivers in the health space while becoming part of a movement of passionate storytellers that works collaboratively to eliminate Schistosomiasis.
The Storytelling Lab includes two pre-lab workshops on January 9th and 16th and the Lab itself from January 28th-30th ending on World NTD Day.
The Schistosomiasis Storytelling Lab is hosted and sponsored by Merck and is free of charge. Merck actively supports the efforts of achieving the targets of WHO’s NTD Roadmap 2030, which ultimately ensures the global elimination of Schistosomiasis. Merck has provided more than 1 billion tablets to date but wants to support more initiatives for prevention and treatment of the disease.
While prevention and control programs have been rolled out in Kenya – including the distribution of medicine – there are still too many people unaware of how to prevent Schistosomiasis. Risk groups such as school-aged children, women who are in contact with water through domestic work and people whose job requires water contact such as fishermen, farmers and irrigation workers continue getting the disease and suffering its long-term effects when left untreated.
Impact
Successes in preventing and controlling Schistosomiasis hinge on behavioral change on the ground. The purpose of the Lab is to change behaviors through impactful storytelling that creatively improves awareness and access to information.
Interested in taking part in the Lab? You can apply to be a Storyteller at bit.ly/Bilharzia. The deadline for applications is November 24, 2020.