When we work in the field, one of the most amazing things for us to observe is when our beneficiary population gets a chance to see a video for the first time.

Public Health Professional Rohey Njie explains what it is really like to eradicate polio in Northern Nigeria

To decide to change your behavior or learn something new, you have to trust the source of your information. If you wanted to learn how to bake, you’d look for a reputable cookbook or expert chef. Want to take up scuba diving? You’d take a class with somebody who wouldn’t let you drown.

Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) can be broadly defined as the attempt to change a population’s behavior by influencing its knowledge, attitudes, and social norms via a singular or variety of communication techniques. This article explores the history of SBCC and discusses OMPT’s implementation of proven SBCC methodology.

Ethiopia is one of the world's least developed countries and has encountered food insecurity for its population routinely. The government and numerous NGOs have attempted to eradicate hunger through government programs and land cultivation. In July 2019, OMPT is teaming up with Arba Minch University in southern Ethiopia to teach Ph.D. students how to create videos aimed at improving mother and infant nutrition.

One of the greatest things about video is that it’s really versatile. You can use the same camera to film a variety of content. One day, you could make a video about pizza. The next day, you could film a wedding, or you could capture a new band’s first gig. You have the freedom to capture what you want.

Video is so effective for behavior change that it can be used for nearly any discipline such as health, agriculture, education and civic engagement. To put it in the words of our Program Manager, Kristin, “essentially if there is a behavior change component, then video can be integrated.” At OMPT we have worked with partner organizations across a variety of sectors and have witnessed positive change with lasting results. Let’s take a look at some specific examples:

Anyone who has ever made a New Year’s resolution knows that change is hard. Think of a behavior in your life you want to change, for example let’s say you want to floss everyday. It sounds simple right? And at first it is.

As a recent International Studies graduate of Chico State University, OMPT intern Carli is passionate about how technology can impact the future of marginalized communities around the world. As this week is UNESCO’s Mobile Learning Week, we thought it would be a great time to learn more about where she got her start, her excitement for technology in developing nations, and what she thinks might change the world.