The Story Workshop clocks 28 years
The Story Workshop Educational Trust (Swet) is celebrating 28 years of its existence in Malawi where it has been transforming communities through social and behaviour change communication. Our reporter JONATHAN PASUNGWI engaged Swet executive director PETER PANGANI to hear more about the journey walked so far.
First, give us a brief background of the Swet
Story Workshop Educational Trust (Swet) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1996 by an American educator and author Pamela Brooke dedicated to fostering social and behavioural change through a variety of communication platforms. These platforms include mass media such as digital media, radio, film, community cinema, print, and social media along with interpersonal communication, community engagement and social mobilisation.
What has been Swet’s major achievements?
Swet has had several major achievements, but one of the most significant has been its contribution to the areas of health, education, gender equality, environment, and climate change through its innovative use of storytelling and edutainment. This impact is reflected not only in awards like the MBC National Innovation Award in 2015 and the recognition of our Chenicheni N’chiti radio programme at the New York Festivals, but most importantly, in the lives we have transformed across Malawi. The communities we have empowered and the behaviour shifts we have facilitated are a testament to our success.
How unique is swet’s approach to behaviour change?
Swet’s approach is unique in that it combines storytelling, edutainment, gamification, behavioural insights, and human-centered design to create participatory and impactful interventions. We don’t just deliver information; we engage people emotionally and intellectually, making the learning experience enjoyable and impactful. This allows us to drive long-lasting behaviour change in a way that resonates with the communities we serve.
How is Swet aligning with the Malawi 2063?
Swet’s work directly contributes to the goals outlined in Malawi 2063. Our focus on social and behavioral change aligns with the pillars of achieving a resilient, inclusive, and democratic Malawi. By fostering change in key areas like education, gender-equality, governance, and environmental sustainability, we are actively supporting the government’s agenda in building a brighter future for Malawi.
What are the major challenges you have encountered and how are you addressing them?
One of the main challenges we’ve faced is the gradual weakening of partnerships, especially with the corporate sector. This has affected our ability to maintain sustainable funding. However, we are taking steps to rebuild these relationships and explore new operational models that will ensure long-term success. By hosting this open day, we aim to rekindle partnerships and demonstrate our commitment to social change in a way that aligns with today’s challenges.
How can other organisations collaborate with Swet to achieve mutual goals?
Collaboration can take many forms, from co-designing interventions and campaigns to providing financial or in-kind support. We welcome partnerships that align with our mission to foster social change through storytelling and edutainment. Whether it’s through funding, resources, or shared expertise, there are numerous ways for organisations to work with us to amplify our impact and achieve mutual goals. Today’s open day is a platform for discussing how we can collaborate for the betterment of our communities.
What other approaches do you use to reach the communities?
We use a range of approaches to reach and engage communities across Malawi. We use radio programmes such as soap operas, debates, and jingles, ensuring the content fits the social context of the communities we serve. Notable examples include Zimachitika and Mutu Umodzi Susenza Denga. We also use interactive audio instruction (IAI), delivering pre-recorded messages to target groups at times that are convenient for them. In addition, we produce printed materials like comic books and booklets to expand our reach. Our Theatre for Development (TfD) brings participatory village action performances to the communities, involving local residents in the process. Music is another key tool we use, as seen in projects like Tingathe!, which raise awareness on critical social issues. We foster community dialogue through listener clubs and action research, particularly in farming communities, and offer training in areas such as Community Mobilisation, Theatre for Development, and Advocacy Theatre. We also actively engage audiences on social media platforms, creating project-specific Facebook pages and maintaining our presence on YouTube, Twitter, and other platforms to encourage feedback and participation.
What is the Swet’s vision, and how do you plan to amplify your impact?
Swet’s future vision involves scaling up our programmes to reach even more communities, expanding our use of digital platforms, and continuing to innovate with our approach to storytelling and edutainment. We are committed to aligning our work with national and international development agendas, including Malawi 2063. By rebuilding partnerships and securing sustainable funding, we are confident that we can amplify our impact and continue to drive social and behavioural change at a national level and beyond.