Bilharzia
Storytelling Lab 2024
Mobilizing creatives to generate behavior change in Ethiopia through innovative storytelling
Client
Year
2024
Category
Experiences
Storytelling
Type of Work
Facilitation
Event execution
Journalism
Innovation
About
Dalberg Media has developed the concept of the Bilharzia Storytelling Lab as part of Merck Group's efforts to increase awareness about the causes and preventative measures for bilharzia. First implemented in Kenya in 2021, the initiative was expanded to Rwanda in 2022. The program's third installment is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2024.
The lab builds on a human-centered design thinking approach that is combined with concepts of creative communication. The lab will be conducted from March 18th until March 22nd, where 25 local storytellers and creatives will work with local experts from the creative sector, health organizations, and non-profits to create creative solutions that are rooted in reality to fight the spread of Bilharzia through promoting behaviour change.
The winner of the lab was Team Buna with an idea to change the behaviours of sugar cane factory workers through "theatre for development". The pilot is set to roll out in 2024.
"The Lab has given me a new way to brainstorm, follow my creativity, address stories to my target audience and target group and think about bilharzia and how to tackle it. This has been the best experience this year."
– Habtamu Mekonnen, Storytelling Lab 2024 participant
