Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative Rwanda
Empowering Communities. Eliminating NTDs.
BSI Rwanda helps communities prevent bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases through storytelling, health education, community engagement, and youth-led action.
By making health information easier to understand, remember, and share, we help children, families, educators, health workers, and young people take practical steps toward healthier communities.
Who We Are
Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative Rwanda is a community-focused public health organization working to prevent bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases through education, storytelling, community participation, and youth engagement.
We believe health information becomes more useful when people can understand it, connect with it, and apply it in everyday life. That is why our work goes beyond simply sharing health facts.
We use illustrated educational materials, storytelling, school activities, training, sports, music, drama, poetry, and community events to make important health information more accessible and memorable.
Our work connects children, families, teachers, community health workers, university students, health professionals, local institutions, and partners around one shared goal: helping communities understand the risks of neglected tropical diseases and take practical action to prevent them.
At the heart of our work are the values of respect, integrity, empathy, collaboration, accountability, inclusiveness, and service.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help communities prevent bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases through storytelling, health education, community-based action, and youth development.
We work to give people the knowledge, tools, and support they need to better understand disease prevention and make healthier choices within their homes, schools, and communities.
What We Do, and Who It's For
BSI Rwanda turns public health information into experiences that people can understand, remember, and act on.
We work primarily with children, families, schools, teachers, community health workers, university students, young people, and communities affected by or at risk of bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases.
Our work combines health education with storytelling, visual learning materials, training, sports, community activities, and youth participation.
This approach helps people understand how diseases such as bilharzia are transmitted, what puts them at risk, how they can protect themselves, and why prevention matters.
We also work with partners, institutions, volunteers, researchers, educators, and public health professionals who want to strengthen community health education and NTD prevention.
Our Services
Storytelling & Health Awareness
We make public health education easier to understand through storytelling, illustrated learning materials, school activities, and community engagement.
Our approach helps children and families learn how bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases spread, how they can be prevented, and what practical steps communities can take to protect their health.
Training & Community Education
We equip teachers, parents, community health workers, and other local stakeholders with practical knowledge about bilharzia, neglected tropical diseases, prevention, hygiene, and safer health practices.
By strengthening the people already connected to communities, health information can continue reaching families long after an individual activity or event has ended.
Youth & School Engagement
Young people are an important part of lasting community health change.
Through school programs, sports, music, drama, poetry, talent activities, and health education, we help young people learn about disease prevention while giving them opportunities to share what they learn with others.
We want young people to see themselves not only as learners, but also as advocates and contributors to healthier communities.
Kivu WASH Fellowship
The Kivu WASH Fellowship helps develop future public health leaders by giving Rwandan university students practical experience in water, sanitation, hygiene, and neglected tropical disease prevention.
Through structured learning and community fieldwork, fellows strengthen their knowledge while applying what they learn in real community settings.
Join Our Community
Why Join?
Joining the BSI Rwanda community gives you a way to stay connected to our work while learning and contributing alongside others who care about improving community health.
As part of the community, you can:
- Learn more about bilharzia and NTD prevention
- Access health education and community resources
- Discover BSI activities and opportunities
- Exchange ideas and experiences with others
- Connect with people working in public health and community development
- Learn about volunteering and participation opportunities
- Support youth-led health education
- Stay informed about BSI programs and field activities
The community is not simply a place to receive updates. It is a place to connect with people who want to contribute to healthier, better-informed communities.
Who Can Join?
The BSI Rwanda community is open to people who are interested in public health, community development, education, WASH, youth leadership, storytelling, and NTD prevention.
This may include:
- Students and young professionals
- Teachers and educators
- Community health workers
- Health professionals
- Researchers
- Volunteers
- Parents and community members
- Public health advocates
- NGOs and community organizations
- Partners and supporters
Whether you already work in public health or simply want to learn and contribute, there is a place for you in the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative Rwanda is a community-focused public health organization working to prevent bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases through storytelling, education, community engagement, and youth empowerment.
Bilharzia, also known as schistosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms and commonly associated with contact with contaminated freshwater.
People can become infected when they come into contact with freshwater containing the parasite, including while swimming, bathing, washing, fishing, or carrying out other activities in affected water.
Symptoms can include skin irritation, fever, tiredness, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and blood in the urine or stool. Long-term infections can cause more serious health problems.
Prevention includes reducing exposure to contaminated freshwater, improving sanitation and access to safe water, encouraging good hygiene practices, treating infections, and helping communities understand how the disease spreads.
Stories help turn technical health information into messages people can understand, remember, discuss, and apply in their everyday lives.
Yes. Volunteer opportunities may include community activities as well as remote support in areas such as research, communication, fundraising, design, content creation, and other professional support.
Ready to Connect?
Whether you want to learn more about our work, volunteer, explore a partnership, support a program, participate in community health activities, or simply connect with our team, we would be glad to hear from you.
If you care about healthier communities and better access to practical health information, there are several ways to become part of the work.
Get in Touch
Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative Rwanda
Stories that heal.
Empowering communities through storytelling, health education, and youth action to prevent neglected tropical diseases.
Contact
Kigali, Rwanda
+250 783 164 791
bsirwanda.orgÂ
© 2026 Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative Rwanda. All rights reserved.