Our vision
A healthy, NTDs-free generation — with empowered communities and young talents shaping community well-being.
We tell stories that keep children well.
Bilharzia is preventable — yet it still affects millions of children across East Africa. BSI Rwanda exists because we believe a story a child loves travels further than any pamphlet.
Our mission
Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially around lakes, wetlands and other high-risk areas, while developing the talents of children and students.
Our promise
Every product we ship is field-tested with children, free for partner schools, and built to outlast a single campaign.
Our story
Born from a pitch. Built for a generation.
BSI started in 2022 as a pitch competition organized by Dolberg Media and MERCK, looking for the best project using storytelling to fight bilharzia. The observation behind our pitch was simple: children in affected districts knew the disease's name but not how to avoid it. Posters were forgotten by morning. Lectures slid off. But the songs they sang at recess? Those stuck.
So we built around what already worked — play, story, repetition, joy. Today BSI works across three districts — Bugesera, Gatsibo and Ruhango — reaching more than 11,000 children through health notebooks, the Splash Water Game, teacher training, inter-school sports and community events.
Our small team of educators, medics and storytellers partners with MERCK, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, the END Fund and the Rwanda NGOs Forum to help meet the country's 2030 bilharzia elimination target.
Meet the team
A small but mighty team for community health in Rwanda.
Bertrand Byishimo
Founder & Director
WASH & NTDs Champion. Programs Coordinator of Cardiothoracic Surgery at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, MPH candidate at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Global Health Corps Fellow alumnus and former health reporter at The New Times Rwanda.
Merci Nsabyumukiza
Project Lead
Medical student at the University of Rwanda. Former National Public Health Officer for the Medical Students Association of Rwanda; trainer in leadership and advocacy with the International Federation of Medical Students Association.
Divine Uwase
Project Associate
Public health professional leading BSI's health communication campaigns, school partnerships and M&E. Volunteer with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre on national campaigns against schistosomiasis and malaria; CorpsAfrica Rwanda alumna.
James Binene
Finance & Admin Lead
Supports BSI's community health advocacy and outreach, educating primary school communities, teachers and community health workers about bilharzia prevention and treatment. Studying Business and Information Technology at the University of Kigali.
What drives us
Our core values.
Respect
Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background, culture or beliefs.
Integrity
Communicate honestly and accurately; never mislead or distort facts about NTDs or affected communities.
Empathy
Show compassion for those affected by NTDs. Listen to and amplify local voices.
Collaboration
Build strong relationships with partners, pooling knowledge and resources for greater impact.
Accountability
Own decisions, actions and resources. Learn from mistakes and stay open to feedback.
Inclusiveness
Ensure all stories reflect gender, age and social diversity — never stigma or marginalization.
Want to be part of the next chapter?
We partner with schools, NGOs and funders who believe prevention belongs in children's hands.
Start a conversation