DST Facilitator Training Hub

Africa

Community Members telling Community Stories
to Improve Health and Wellness in Africa

Common Language DST has formed a strong multi-year (6.5yr) partnership with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Institute in SW Uganda and the University of Calgary Department of Indigenous, Local, & Global Health. The unique model of DST facilitation developed through this partnership for use in the African context involves a team-based approach with each facilitator specializing in a specific phase of the DST process. It also is designed with a high level of technical support and a robust ethical framework to support storytellers from low-resource contexts. The CLDST Training Hub Africa team has received 8 in-person trainings from Common Language and also has directly trained and supported DST Facilitators from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. Together, the Facilitators at the Africa Training Hub, and the DST facilitators they have trained, are having a large impact on the health and wellness of many communities in Africa.

A Shared Dream

Digital Storytelling to Support Gender Equality in East Africa

Beginning in 2017, Common Language Digital Storytelling has created a strong partnership with Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Southwestern Uganda and the University of Calgary Department of Indigenous, Local, & Global Health in the Cumming School of Medicine. Working together they have developed a unique model of Digital Storytelling (DST) facilitation for use in the East African context which involves a team-based approach with each facilitator specializing in a specific phase of the DST process (Finding, Telling, Crafting, Sharing). This documentary is meant to highlight this unique DST Facilitation model as well as demonstrate how Digital Stories can stimulate compelling conversations about global health topics and in doing so, help encourage the women and girls of East Africa to pursue their dreams.