Over a billion people are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases globally. It takes an enormous amount of will, work, and cooperation to eliminate these diseases.

Created for the Mectizan Donation Program to celebrate the gains made in eliminating neglected tropical diseases on World NTD Day 2023, this film follows the story of Square Makwanda. A former coordinator of the Lymphatic Filariasis program in Malawi, Square managed to start a mass distribution program with very little resources. Included is a testimony from Professor Monique Dorkenoo, former Lymphatic Filariasis program coordinator for Togo. In her testimony, the doctor highlights the need for a plan and resourcefulness from health coordinators and workers. Together, they tell a powerful story about how one individual can make a difference and inspire the political and community will needed to deliver life-changing medicine where it’s needed most.

This is an example of a film made in close consultation with our client, with local resources, and using previously-filmed archive material and simple but powerful text to create a powerful message supported by imagery and music.

Staying the course is what it has taken to see River Blindness, a remote neglected tropical disease carried by the bites of black flies, slowly becoming a disease of the past.

In 1987, Merck committed to donate Mectizan – as much as needed, for as long as needed – with the goal to help eliminate river blindness. To celebrate the Mectizan Donation Program‘s 35th anniversary we went through our archives of footage, some filmed by us, some by scientists many years ago, and worked with a South African graphics artist to tell the story of 35 years of progress towards eliminating one of the most robust diseases known to mankind.

With a bespoke composed soundtrack and in-house voice-over, we managed condense 35 years into a powerful 3 and a half minutes!

The film was shown at the annual Mectizan Expert Committee meeting in Malawi in 2022, and since was sent out by MSD CEO Rob Davis to all their staff.

In 2012, our creative director had the chance to spend a week in Malawi with Annie Lennox, as she went to visit some of the projects supported by her foundation, SING.

Mary’s Meals are a large NGO providing daily porridge to thousands of children across Africa. This allows them to concentrate and draws them to school, helping create brighter futures.