MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship 2024

“Participating in the MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship Program was an invaluable experience that significantly enhanced my approach to health reporting. The program's comprehensive training equipped me with advanced skills in health journalism, data analysis, and ethical reporting. Engaging directly with MSF projects provided firsthand insights into the challenges and responses within our healthcare systems. This fellowship has not only broadened my perspective but also reinforced my dedication to producing nuanced narratives that highlight pressing health issues and humanitarian challenges across Eastern Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow journalists and MSF staff, fostering a network committed to impactful storytelling in the health sector.” 

This was my first-ever fellowship in my- near -decade in this profession and so, you can imagine the excitement I had when I got the call confirming that I would feature the article I worked on. Additionally, the day spent covering the rescue and response team in Mathare and the chats I had with patients and doctors were not only humbling but also inspiring, Thank you MSF, for all you do for the poor and vulnerable and most importantly for the much support accorded to me throughout my fellowship. 

The whole experience, starting from the training that preceded the fellowship helped expand my frames of reference in a life-changing way. Now, I have a deeper understanding of humanitarian work and why helping a person in need is a key avenue to promoting peaceful coexistence. I am deeply grateful to MSF for this opportunity and wholeheartedly offer my support in continuing to highlight the incredible work you do. 

Being granted the MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship will always remain a defining moment in my career. The experience was not only eye-opening but also deeply impactful. Witnessing firsthand the dedication, professionalism and resilience of MSF teams on the ground was both inspiring and humbling. Their unwavering commitment to providing lifesaving medical care in some of the most challenging environments is nothing short of extraordinary.  

Choosing South Sudan for my coverage was intentional—it is a nation in transition, undergoing remarkable transformations through various humanitarian and medical interventions. From Twic to Bentiu to Renk, I saw firsthand how MSF’s work is changing lives daily. The level of support and collaboration from MSF staff was outstanding; everyone was incredibly welcoming and ensured I had everything I needed to carry out my work effectively. In just three weeks, I felt like part of the MSF family—a testament to the strong camaraderie and shared purpose within the organization.  

This fellowship has been a priceless experience—one that has broadened my perspective on humanitarian reporting, strengthened my storytelling approach, and deepened my appreciation for the power of medical humanitarian work. I remain forever grateful for the opportunity, the lessons learned, and the connections made.

Rachael Akidi Okwir

Rachael is a senior editorial leader and strategic communications consultant with over 20 years of experience in African and international media. She spent much of her career at BBC News, where she held senior roles including Head of Journalism for Africa and Head of East Africa Languages. In these roles, she led award-winning teams, launched new digital-first language services, and expanded the BBC’s Nairobi bureau into its largest operation outside the UK.

Rachael has a strong track record in newsroom transformation, content strategy, and editorial innovation. She has led the launch of multimedia products across multiple African languages. She brings deep expertise in writing, editing, and storytelling, having produced and edited flagship programmes such as BBC Focus on Africa, The Africa Debate, Newsday, and some podcasts. An accomplished writer, editor, and thought leader, Rachael’s work has been featured in outlets including the BBC, Huffington Post, and South China Morning Post. She is the founder of Reebo Consult, a media and communications consultancy advising organisations on impactful storytelling and strategic editorial planning.

A passionate media trainer and advocate for ethical, audience-driven journalism, she supports teams across Africa, the UK, and most recently Central Asia. She also serves on the board of Medical Aid Films and was recently part of the AI Journalism Lab: Leadership cohort at CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.