Malaria No More Launches Storytelling Fellowship for East African Journalists
The Story Studio: Malaria welcomes inaugural cohort from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
Washington, D.C. — Malaria No More today announced the launch of The Story Studio: Malaria, a new storytelling fellowship for East African journalists implemented in partnership with Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications in Nairobi, Kenya. The Story Studio: Malaria will support an inaugural cohort of 12 fellows from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to produce ambitious, accurate and evidence-based malaria stories for regional and international audiences.
Malaria is the leading cause of death among children in Africa, and yet, it remains one of the most under-reported and under-amplified stories on the continent and around the world. The Story Studio: Malaria aims to solve that. The program will pair journalists with experts, mentors, and new networks while centering the people behind the data — the researchers, health workers, families and communities living with malaria every day.
“Many of the most important stories about malaria are being told by journalists who live and work closest to the communities most affected by it,” said Jennie Bragg, Managing Director of Strategic Communications at Malaria No More. “The Story Studio is about giving those journalists the training, mentorship and connections to take those stories to the next level. We are excited to see what this talented group of fellows creates and we’re eager to share their work with the people who can drive change.”
Developed and implemented by the Graduate School of Media and Communications at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, the 16-week fellowship program’s curriculum combines capacity strengthening with practical skills application — ensuring a robust learning journey that culminates in the publication and broad dissemination of multimedia stories.
“Aga Khan University is proud to bring its academic rigor, training expertise and professional networks to bear in this fellowship program,” said Nancy Booker, Associate Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Media and Communications at Aga Khan University. “The Story Studio: Malaria will not only strengthen the capacity of local and regional journalists, but its unique model will create valuable opportunities for fellows to expand the reach of their reporting.”
Selected from a competitive pool of over 300 applicants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the 12 fellows are:
- Patricia Akankwatsa | Uganda
- Raziah Athman | Uganda
- Edisoni Tumaini Galeba | Tanzania
- Halima Gongo | Kenya
- Salome Gregory | Tanzania
- Hellen Kabahukya | Uganda
- Elphas Makokha Kamalal | Kenya
- Innocent Kiiza | Uganda
- Joan Muthoki Kithanze | Kenya
- Joseph Maina | Kenya
- Jackline Opiyo | Kenya
- Pauline Tom | Kenya
The Story Studio: Malaria’s inaugural cohort met at the Aga Khan University campus in Nairobi in September 2026 for a three-day intensive workshop. They will meet weekly for live virtual sessions and 1:1 mentor support throughout the duration of the fellowship, which will conclude in December 2026.
The Story Studio: Malaria was developed in partnership with Ravel. For more information, please contact: info@storystudiomalaria.org.
About Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications
Launched in 2015, the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) is the premier source of education and tailored training for journalists, communicators and media executives and entrepreneurs in East Africa and beyond. Guided by the principles of global excellence and local relevance, GSMC helps individuals to transform their careers and organizations to seize on opportunities and reap the benefits of innovation.
About Ravel
Ravel is a social purpose creative communication agency founded in Rwanda. We specialise in building impactful brands, campaigns and content that inspire positive, real-world impact in people’s lives. From global strategies to on-the-ground implementation, we work with partners across the world to create communications initiatives that provoke thought, drive conversations, and motivate change.
About Malaria No More
Malaria No More envisions a world where no one dies from a mosquito bite. Twenty years into our mission, our work has helped drive historic progress toward this goal. Now, we’re mobilizing the political commitment, funding, and innovation required to achieve one of the greatest humanitarian accomplishments of our time — ending malaria for good.