CHAMPS and HPI Pioneer Digital Storytelling for Global Health Communication

In a significant stride towards enhancing global health communication, the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program, in collaboration with the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), successfully hosted its inaugural StoryHelper Workshop on Digital Storytelling for Global Health. Held virtually via Zoom from July 14th to 17th, 2025, the four-day intensive workshop equipped communications officers and focal persons from various CHAMPS sites with cutting-edge digital storytelling skills.

Participants from Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, South Africa, and Bangladesh convened to learn and apply the innovative StoryHelper tool, developed by HPI’s Digital Storytelling Lab. The workshop aimed to empower these key communicators to craft compelling narratives tailored for diverse audiences, from high-level stakeholders to community members and direct beneficiaries, all focused on critical issues surrounding child health and mortality.

The workshop, co-convened and co-led by Sampson Adotey from CHAMPS and Dr. Irina Catrinel Craciun from the Hasso Plattner Institute, provided a hands-on experience. Participants were grouped by their work sites and engaged in interactive sessions that introduced them to the StoryHelper tool, guided them through digital mind mapping exercises, and culminated in the production of their digital story drafts.

A standout moment of the workshop was the story presentation session on Day 3, where each CHAMPS site proudly showcased its digital story. These presentations not only highlighted the creative application of the StoryHelper tool but also underscored the rich diversity of local contexts and communication objectives across the participating nations. The palpable passion and commitment displayed during these sessions reinforced the crucial role of integrating digital storytelling into CHAMPS’ broader communication strategies.

The workshop’s structured agenda unfolded as follows:

• Day 1: Focused on introductions, setting expectations, and outlining the workshop schedule.
• Day 2: Delved into a deeper understanding of the StoryHelper tool and explored digital mind mapping through guided practical exercises.
• Day 3: Featured the highly anticipated digital story presentations from each CHAMPS site, fostering peer learning through constructive feedback.
• Day 4: Concluded with focus group discussions to assess the tool’s usability, allowing participants to share experiences, discuss challenges, and provide valuable recommendations for future improvements.

This pioneering initiative represents a vital step forward in strengthening CHAMPS’s capacity to disseminate health findings in impactful, context-specific ways. By placing powerful, people-centered narratives at the core of public health efforts, the workshop is set to significantly enhance the program’s ability to drive awareness and action in the fight against child mortality.