The activity aims to initiate and conduct a structured training program for teachers to enhance their knowledge and awareness of schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Through this training, teachers will gain a clear understanding of the disease, including its causes, modes of transmission, common symptoms, prevention methods, and available treatment options.

By equipping teachers with accurate and practical information, the program empowers them to effectively pass this knowledge on to students and, indirectly, to parents and the wider community. Teachers will play a key role in educating children on safe behaviors, early recognition of symptoms, and the importance of seeking timely medical care.

This approach strengthens community awareness and prevention efforts by using schools as centers for health education, ultimately contributing to the reduction of schistosomiasis transmission and promoting healthier behaviors among children and their families.

teacher's training in bugesera

Teacher's Training

Bilharzia Storytelling Initiatives

We used social media as a powerful digital advocacy tool to highlight the prevalence, transmission, symptoms, prevention, and management of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This initiative was part of our broader project aimed at leveraging digital platforms to enlighten and engage the global community on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Through informative posts, visual content, and educational campaigns, we sought to increase awareness, correct misconceptions, and promote early detection and treatment of NTDs. By using digital advocacy, we are able to reach diverse audiences beyond geographical boundaries, amplify the voices of affected communities, and contribute to global conversations on NTDs, ultimately supporting efforts toward prevention, control, and elimination.

VISCERAL LESHMANIASIS

Digital advocacy on visceral leshmaniasis

Global Alliance for NTDs Elimination-Kenya(GANE-Ke)

Our organization works across three districts in Rwanda: Bugesera, Gatsibo, and Ruhango. We currently collaborate with a total of ten schools, including four schools in Bugesera, three in Gatsibo, and three in Ruhango. Through these school-based activities, we distribute educational notebooks designed specifically for children. The notebooks contain illustrated messages that teach students what to do and what not to do in order to prevent the spread of disease. By combining education with practical learning materials, our approach aims to promote healthy behaviors among children and contribute to long-term disease prevention and eradication within these communities.

Notebooks Donation Exercise | Gatsibo | Sep 10,2025 by Rwanda BSI

Notebooks  Distribution

As part of its community-based awareness and prevention efforts, the Bilharzia Storytelling Initiative (BSI) with the help of other partners(MERCK ,RBC and others) organize friendly inter-school sports games as an innovative platform to fight bilharzia (schistosomiasis) through education, advocacy, and child protection.

The activity brings together schools from three districts: Ruhango, Bugesera, and Gatsibo. Schools first participate in preliminary or qualification matches within their respective districts. Selected teams then advance to a final event that serves as a major advocacy and awareness moment focused on the fight against bilharzia.

Before the matches begin, BSI conducts sensitization sessions with the players, emphasizing the importance of protective behaviors such as wearing shoes and using appropriate sports equipment. During the games, BSI continues to deliver awareness messages to students, coaches, and spectators.

At halftime, targeted advocacy sessions are conducted for the teams, coaches, and fans, where clear messages are shared on bilharzia, including its causes, symptoms, prevention methods, and available treatment. Using microphones and sound systems, BSI ensures that these messages reach a wide audience, extending beyond the field to the surrounding community.

This activity achieves a dual impact:

It promotes children’s happiness, safety, and physical well-being through sports, while encouraging protective practices; and

It raises community-wide awareness and strengthens advocacy on bilharzia prevention and control.

By combining play, education, and storytelling, the friendly games create an engaging and effective approach to spreading life-saving health information and mobilizing communities in the fight against bilharzia.

friendly games

Friendly Games

As we counted down to #WorldNTDDay, we built momentum through the #NTDTriviaChallenge, a daily knowledge series designed to inform, engage, and inspire action
From 16th to 28th January, we shared one trivia question each day to raise awareness on NTDs, challenge misconceptions, and spark meaningful conversations.
In line with the 2026 theme Unite. Act. Eliminate., the challenge demonstrated how knowledge sharing is a powerful step toward #EndingNTDs.
We also recognized the dedication of our community, with the top three participants receiving certificates of recognition.

NTD TRIVIA CHALLENGE

One week intense awareness creation on Buruli Ulcer.

Buruli Ulcer Awareness Campaign

Neglected Tropical Diseases Advocacy Club

The Mwele Malecela Days of Action (MweleDOA) is an annual initiative honouring the legacy of Dr. Mwele Malecela, a Tanzanian leader and global champion for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The MweleDOA mobilizes communities, schools, survivors, youth, and policymakers to work together for sustainable solutions against NTDs.
During the 2025 edition we reached 70 parents at Mbagala Health Centre, over 200 food vendors at Ilala Market, and 60 youth in the empowerment session, all led by 20 youth NTD champions. Hence, educated, engaged, and fostered ownership while driving behaviour change and inspiring long-term action in affected communities.

Mwele Malecela Days of Action

One Health Society

GANE was honored to contribute to a side event on the impact of youth in tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) sharing insights on how young people are driving change in their communities, leading awareness campaigns, and bringing innovation to the fight against diseases that have been neglected for too long. During this session we  also lobbyed the european countries to commit their support towards their support for NTD advoacy

NTD SESSION AT ECTMIH

On August 20, 2025, the NTDs Youth Organization Japan hosted an official thematic event as part of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) at Pacifico Yokohama. 

The event attracted 168 participants from 34 countries, including both in-person attendees in Yokohama and online participants. Experts from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, joined youth representatives from Japan, Tanzania, and Kenya for engaging discussions on the future of global health, with a particular emphasis on neglected tropical diseases.

Press Release（JP）

The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) Thematic Events

NTDs Youth Japan

As part of our program to reach university and college students, we held our first project at Kenyatta University, delivering a comprehensive lecture to public health students at Kenyatta University titled "Youth Leadership In Action: Raising Awareness On Neglected Tropical Diseases."
Grounded in evidence and drawn from Kenya’s own NTD landscape, the session explored:

The burden of NTDs globally, in Africa, and across Kenya.
Kenya’s priority NTDs, emerging outbreaks, and climate-driven shifts in disease patterns.
The intersections between WASH, vector control, migration, and health system resilience.
The critical leadership roles young people can play in digital advocacy, community mobilization, surveillance, and policy engagement.

Kenyatta University Public lecture

Raising Awareness On Neglected Tropical Diseases Among  University Students”.

The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Advocacy Club at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana, in partnership with NTDs Action, Learning and Advocacy (NALA), Ethiopia, successfully hosted a global webinar on schistosomiasis elimination, drawing participants from across Africa and beyond. The event, held on February 4, 2026, focused on sharing experiences in snail mapping and control strategies, a critical component in tackling one of the world’s most persistent parasitic diseases.<h3>A Collaborative Effort for Precision Public Health</h3>As countries move closer to eliminating schistosomiasis, transmission has become increasingly localized, requiring more precise interventions. Recognizing this, the webinar brought together leading experts and national program officers from Ghana and Ethiopia to discuss how spatial mapping, environmental surveillance, and data-driven approaches can strengthen control strategies.<h3>Distinguished Speakers</h3>The session featured insights from:<ul><li>Dr. Gideon Kye-Duodu – Researcher, Lecturer, and Epidemiologist, Ghana</li><li>Mr. Edward Tei Hervie – Chief Biomedical Scientist, National Desk Officer for Schistosomiasis and STH, Ghana</li><li>Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh – Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, and Director of the Centre for NTD Research, UHAS, Ghana</li><li>Asrat Meleko – Assistant Professor, Researcher, and Project Manager, NALA, Ethiopia</li><li>Bisrat Molla – Public Health Specialist and Director of Programs, NALA, Ethiopia</li></ul>Together, they shared country-level experiences, highlighting how snail mapping technologies and community-based surveillance systems are being deployed to identify transmission hotspots and guide targeted interventions.<h3>Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li>Localized transmission demands precision: Mapping freshwater snails, the intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis, is essential for identifying high-risk areas.</li><li>Data-driven strategies: Integrating environmental surveillance with national health programs enables smarter resource allocation.</li><li>Cross-country learning: Ghana and Ethiopia’s shared experiences demonstrate the power of collaboration in advancing elimination goals.</li></ul><h3>A Step Toward Elimination</h3>The webinar underscored the importance of global partnerships in accelerating progress against NTDs. By combining scientific expertise, national program leadership, and advocacy, the initiative showcased how Africa is leading innovative approaches to achieve the 2030 NTD elimination targets.The NTDs Advocacy Club and NALA reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and driving equity in public health. This webinar marks another milestone in the collective fight against schistosomiasis, ensuring that no community is left behind.

Global Webinar Highlights Innovative Approaches to Schistosomiasis Elimination

By James Lual Akech, Team Leader, Malaria &amp; NTD Youth Champions South SudanDear Hon Deputy Chairperson for SSAC, DG Madam Yar for Preventive health services, DG Dr Harriet for International Health coordination, distinguished leaders, colleagues, and partners,On this World NTDs Day, we gather not only to raise awareness but to renew our commitment to ending the neglect of tropical diseases that continue to burden our communities. South Sudan has made progress through donor-supported interventions, but the truth is clear: we cannot rely on external funding alone. Sustainable elimination of NTDs requires domestic investment our own resources, our own commitment, and our own leadership. By allocating domestic funds into the NTD program, we achieve three critical goals: 1. Ownership: Our people see that their government prioritizes their health and dignity. 2. Sustainability: Programs continue even when donor cycles shift or external priorities change. 3. Integration: Domestic funding allows NTD interventions to be woven into broader health system strengthening, ensuring medicines, diagnostics, and education reach every corner of our nation. As Youth Champions, we stand ready to support the Ministry in mobilizing communities, driving awareness, and ensuring accountability. Honorable leaders, investing in NTDs is not just about fighting disease it is about unlocking human potential. Every child free from river blindness can learn better. Every family spared from lymphatic filariasis can work and thrive. Every community free from neglected diseases can contribute to national development. We call upon the Ministry of Health to commit domestic funds into the NTD program, signaling to the world that South Sudan is serious about protecting its people and achieving the 2030 elimination goals. Together, with government leadership, donor partnership, and youth energy, we can end the neglect and build a healthier, more resilient South Sudan. Unite, Act for the elimination of NTDs Thank you

Malaria and NTDs Youth Champions South Sudan 

Remarks for the  Celebration of World NTDS Day 30 January 2026 At Pyramid hotel in Juba 

Closing the 5th NTDs Annual Review Meeting Hon. Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko Baime, Undersecretary MOH, reaffirmed: "Our national efforts are firmly aligned with the WHO NTDs Roadmap 2021–2030 which calls for strong country ownership, cross-sectoral collaboration, accountability and partnership. By aligning our priorities with the global framework, South Sudan demonstrates its commitment to measurable impact, equity and sustainability ensuring that no community is left behind." The Malaria &amp; NTDs Youth Champions South Sudan proudly reaffirmed our commitment to support the NTD program through education, advocacy, and community-driven interventions. Together, we are building a future free of neglected tropical diseases. #NTDs #SouthSudan #YouthChampions #HealthEquity #EndNTDs

Closing the 5th South Sudan NTDs Annual Review Meeting   

we, the Malaria and NTDs Youth Champions of South Sudan, standing together with youth leaders from eight countries across the globe, unite under the Global NTD Youth Forum with one shared vision: to empower the next generation to accelerate the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).Our Commitment- Youth Leadership: We believe young people are not just the future they are the present force driving change.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Equity &amp; Justice: We stand for communities most affected by NTDs, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights upheld.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Innovation &amp; Action: We harness creativity, technology, and grassroots energy to design solutions that work for all.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Solidarity: We collaborate across borders, cultures, and disciplines, building a united movement for health equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Call to ActionWe call upon governments, donors, partners, and communities to recognize the power of youth in health advocacy. Together, we will:&nbsp;&nbsp;- Champion awareness campaigns that break stigma and mobilize communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Advocate for policy and funding that prioritize NTD elimination.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Strengthen capacity and leadership among youth to sustain progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;- Share knowledge and amplify success stories across nations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our VisionBy 2030, we envision a world where neglected tropical diseases are no longer a barrier to opportunity, dignity, and health. A world where youth leadership is central to resilient health systems and sustainable development.We are the generation that will end NTDs. Together, we rise.

Empowering the Next Generation to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases

How do we reach the most vulnerable when they’re out of sight? For millions affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), many live in areas where access to cell phones and therefore vital information is limited. As part of our activities marking World NTD Day (30th January), the club was hosted on VOV Radio 95.7FM to discuss Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).We spoke about what NTDs are, why they matter, and how they can be prevented, while encouraging awareness and early action within our communities.Advocacy starts with conversation and every voice counts.

REACHING A WIDER AUDIENCE: USING THE RADIO MEDIA AS NTDs AWARENESS PLATFORM 

<blockquote>“I went through three months of pain, fear, and confusion only to realize it was something our health system never prepared me for.” Beryl Adenyo, Youth Health Champion.</blockquote>In the heart of Homabay County, where lush landscapes meet the challenges of rural life, rivers serve as a lifeline, providing water for drinking, cooking, and daily survival. Still, sometimes these same rivers carry silent threats. For Beryl Adenyo, a passionate youth health advocate, that reality hit close to home in a way she never expected.In 2023, Beryl made a life-changing move from a semi-urban environment to a small rural village, where she settled with her fiancé. Adjusting to a new lifestyle came with the natural rhythm of the community, drawing water from the nearby river, sharing local customs, and embracing the slower pace of rural living. But not long after, her health began to deteriorate.<h3>When Illness Creeps In Silently</h3>At first, the symptoms were vague fatigue, body aches, fever, and nausea. Like many in her region, she assumed it was malaria, an all-too-common affliction. She did what anyone else would do: visited local clinics and got tested, but the results were baffling, repeated negative malaria tests. Other possibilities were explored: pregnancy tests, HIV tests, and STI screenings, but all returned negative. Doctors prescribed painkillers and antibiotics, yet her condition worsened. Soon, more alarming symptoms emerged: burning pain while urinating, bloody urine, intense abdominal cramping, and chronic fatigue that made simple daily activities unbearable.<h3>Misunderstood. Misdiagnosed. Isolated.</h3><blockquote>“I was constantly questioned about my condition, some people thought I was hiding a pregnancy, others believed I was bewitched,” Beryl shares. “Even I began to question what was happening to me.”</blockquote>Despite her active role as a youth advocate in sexual and reproductive health, Beryl had never encountered discussions about <a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline hover:text-blue-800 pSsqrsDflyyTGZvsdjPbvrjtYPhWNBHDvgA " href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/schistosomiasis">bilharzia,</a> a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects millions globally, especially in poor and remote communities. Neither her formal training nor her interactions with medical professionals had prepared her for the reality that her symptoms could be caused by a parasitic infection contracted from river water, something so common in her environment yet so rarely spoken about in health discourse.A Turning Point Through Community ResearchAfter three months of suffering in silence, an unexpected opportunity arrived. A friend and fellow advocate informed her of a community-based research and screening initiative by <a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline hover:text-blue-800 pSsqrsDflyyTGZvsdjPbvrjtYPhWNBHDvgA " href="https://www.kemri.go.ke/">KEMRI</a>, focused specifically on schistosomiasis. Though skeptical, Beryl decided to attend. It was a decision that would finally put a name to her pain.At the session, she heard something that shook her to the core: a health expert listing symptoms that matched hers perfectly. Urine tests, stool samples, and an ultrasound were followed. The diagnosis? <a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline hover:text-blue-800 pSsqrsDflyyTGZvsdjPbvrjtYPhWNBHDvgA " href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/schistosomiasis">Schistosomiasis a </a>waterborne parasitic disease that she had unknowingly contracted.For Beryl, it was a bittersweet moment. Relief swept over her as she finally had an answer, but so did heartbreak.<blockquote>“If someone had tested for this earlier, I wouldn’t have gone through so much pain,” she reflected.</blockquote><h3>Beryl’s Story is a Wake-Up Call</h3>Beryl’s journey highlights a painful truth: that neglected tropical diseases remain neglected not only in funding and policy but also in awareness, diagnosis, and conversation. In many communities like hers, NTDs are either unknown or misunderstood, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, stigma, and preventable suffering.Her experience reveals the deeper systemic gaps:<ul><li>A lack of training for health workers in recognizing NTDs</li><li>Limited access to proper diagnostic tools in rural clinics</li><li>Cultural taboos around symptoms associated with NTDs</li><li>The overwhelming focus on diseases like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, while millions quietly suffer from illnesses like schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, or lymphatic filariasis</li></ul><h3>The Call to Action</h3>Beryl’s voice is one among many, but it carries a powerful message: we must do better. Her story is about being failed by a system that didn’t know where to look and being failed by silence when speaking out could have saved others. At GANE, we believe in the power of frontline voices to shape policy, education, and community action. We call on all stakeholders—governments, healthcare workers, researchers, and community leaders—to take the following steps:<ul><li>Raise awareness about schistosomiasis and other NTDs in both medical and community settings.</li><li>Collaborate with organizations like <a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline hover:text-blue-800 pSsqrsDflyyTGZvsdjPbvrjtYPhWNBHDvgA " href="https://www.kemri.go.ke/">KEMRI to scale</a> up local screenings and health education.</li><li>Train frontline health workers to detect and treat NTDs effectively</li><li>Integrate NTD education into sexual and reproductive health programs and school curricula.</li><li>Break the silence around symptoms often stigmatized or misinterpreted, especially among women and girls.</li></ul><h3>Towards a Future Free of NTDs</h3><pre><code>As we aim for the elimination of NTDs by 2030, Beryl’s story is a stark reminder that data and diagnostics must be accompanied by empathy and action. We cannot fight what we do not understand, and we cannot cure what we refuse to see.</code></pre>Let us start by listening to the voices on the front line. Let us ensure that no one else goes through what Beryl endured, not because we lacked the tools, but because we failed to care enough.Listen to Beryl's story here:<a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline hover:text-blue-800 pSsqrsDflyyTGZvsdjPbvrjtYPhWNBHDvgA " href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/11bILe9faxN4ZwpYHP_QcdSoVEXXmH--x/view?usp=sharing">BERYL ADENYO</a><hr>Have a Story to Share? Are you a health worker in the NTDs space or someone with lived experience of an NTD? We want to hear from you. Share your story with us at [ganekenya@gmail.com]. or tag us on social media using #NTDstoriesfromthefrontlineTogether, we can end the neglect, one story at a time.

Empower the next generationto accelerate the elimination of NTDs.

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