Harnessing the power of the pen
Journalists trained as storytellers to boost Lesotho’s child immunization drive
MONYANE KHAU
MASERU – In a nation battling low vaccine uptake, a local NGO has equipped the media with narrative tools to combat misinformation, bridge the urban-rural divide, and save young lives – this pivotal move to safeguard Lesotho’s youngest generation, journalists across the nation are being armed not with medical supplies, but with something equally powerful, the art of storytelling.
A recent training workshop, convened by the local non-governmental organisation Paballo-ea-Bophelo, aimed to transform health reporting into a compelling force for change, directly addressing the country’s persistent challenges with childhood vaccine uptake.
Held on September 29, at the UNESCO Hall in Maseru, the session brought together media professionals to hone their skills in crafting human-centric narratives that can demystify vaccines, counter a rising tide of misinformation, and motivate parents to ensure their children are fully immunized.
The training comes against a backdrop of concerning data. Despite global progress, Lesotho continues to grapple with a significant number of “zero-dose” and under-immunized children. These are children who have either never received a single dose of a life-saving vaccine like measles or polio, or who have not completed the full schedule, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases that can cause disability or death.
The Ministry of Health has traced and linked children who have missed vaccines, identifying five districts as critical hotspots of Mokhotlong, Leribe, Berea, Maseru and Mafeteng. These regions bear the highest burden of un- and under-vaccinated children, a situation exacerbated by geographic isolation, poverty, and logistical hurdles in the mountainous terrain.
Pascalinah Kabi, secretary general of the NGO, explained that her organization was engaged by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to specifically enhance demand for vaccines in these areas.
“These five districts have the highest numbers of children who are zero-dose or underimmunised,” Kabi stated. “This means some children have never received a single life-saving vaccine, while others have not completed their full schedule of childhood vaccinations.”
The consequences are not merely theoretical. Outbreaks of measles and whooping cough remain a constant threat, straining a healthcare system already burdened by high rates of HIV/Aids and tuberculosis.
The core strategy of the initiative is to shift health reporting from dry statistical updates to resonant human-interest stories. Journalists were encouraged to go beyond press releases and venture into communities, interviewing parents, grandparents, and caregivers to unearth the real-life fears, hopes, and questions surrounding vaccination.
“You are encouraged to visit communities, interview ordinary citizens, and combine their stories with expert insights and peer-reviewed research to craft compelling human-interest pieces that demystify vaccines, counter misinformation, and motivate parents and caregivers to take action,” Kabi urged the attendees.
To illustrate the concept, she used a simple, powerful analogy: “Just as we wear raincoats or use umbrellas to stay dry when it rains, vaccines protect children from preventable diseases. Vaccines train children’s bodies to defend themselves from diseases without the danger of a full-blown infection.”
This approach is seen as a critical countermeasure to the misinformation that often spreads through informal channels and social media. By providing relatable, factual stories, journalists can build a shield of public trust.
The role of the media, however, carries immense responsibility.
‘Makhotso Lekaka, from the Maseru District Health Management Team, thanked the journalists for their support but issued a crucial warning against the dangers of miscommunication.
“I urge us to go into communities together and do what is right. If we encounter challenges or feel unsure about the information presented here, let us not communicate what we do not fully understand. Instead, we should refer back to the source to ensure we provide accurate information,” Lekaka advised.
She emphasized the lasting power of first impressions, noting, “The first information a Mosotho hears often leaves a lasting impression. You are seen as informed authorities on vaccines. As we discussed today, let’s pay close attention, as this will help us write accurate and informative stories and respond confidently to questions from our audience.”
Recognizing that health decisions are deeply influenced by gender and social dynamics, the training also included a module on mainstreaming gender in health reporting.
Mahalaletsang Aletta Koetlisi, a Health and Gender Specialist with UNICEF, reminded journalists that their role is to provide accurate, evidence-based information while supporting behavioural change.
She stressed that reporting must be inclusive, representing both urban and rural communities, and that visuals should reflect men, women, and children from diverse social backgrounds.
Koetlisi provided a nuanced perspective on the gendered nature of caregiving.
“When a child is sick, a woman – be it a mother or caregiver – ensures the child receives help, often putting others’ needs ahead of her own. This means that health information shared by a man or a child can be very different from that provided by a woman. As journalists, it is crucial to understand these dynamics when reporting.”
A story about vaccine access, for instance, would be incomplete without exploring the specific challenges faced by a mother in a remote village who must travel long distances to a clinic, often at great personal cost.
The training marks a significant step in Lesotho’s public health strategy. By viewing journalists as essential partners and equipping them with advanced storytelling techniques, the government and its partners are investing in a sustainable model for building vaccine confidence.
The success of this initiative will be measured not in column inches, but in the increased number of children receiving their full course of vaccinations. As these journalists return to their newsrooms, the expectation is that their stories will do more than just inform – they will connect, empathize, and ultimately, inspire action.
In the fight to protect Lesotho’s children from preventable diseases, a well-told story may prove to be one of the most potent vaccines of all.
