Harper Hill Global taps power of education in anti-Ebola initiative

Culturally sensitive videos and messages provide information to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

By Tim Tanton

June 9, 2026 

Confronting a new outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, Harper Hill Global is working with partners in the Congo and Uganda to mobilize a powerful weapon: educational resources to prevent the spread of the disease.

No vaccine is available yet for the current Bundibugyo strain, but education can play a role.

“Education is the only vaccine we have,” said the Rev. Neelley Hicks, founder and executive director of the nonprofit agency.

The Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi Musau, director of communications for The United Methodist Church’s North Katanga Conference, emphasizes the African concept of ubuntu, which recognizes that each person’s well-being is connected with that of their neighbor.

“Ubuntu via education will be a vaccine,” she said in a conversation with Hicks and animator Firdaus Kharas, founder of Chocolate Moose Media.

Harper Hill Global and its partners are providing an animated video and messages that emphasize handwashing and hygiene, as well as safe practices for interacting with others. The resources address culturally sensitive burial practices, recognizing the importance of honoring the dead while avoiding physical contact with the body of a loved one who has died from Ebola.

Since the outbreak was reported in early May, Congo has had 82 confirmed deaths as of June 4, and Uganda has had two confirmed deaths and one probable death as of June 5, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

“Ebola has reached three provinces in our episcopal region,” said Judith Yanga, communications director for The United Methodist Church’s East Congo Episcopal Area. The provinces – Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu – are connected through the presence of displaced people, she noted. “Furthermore, this epidemic presents several constraints to effective disease management because two of the three affected provinces are under the control of armed groups that the DRC government is unable to manage. This makes the response process extremely difficult.”

Aru's health zone is affected for the first time. This is the twelfth health zone to be affected in the province by the Ebola Bundibugyo epidemic. Photo credit: Deogratias Otshudi

The response was triggered by reports of violence directed at health workers and burial teams in Congo, Hicks said. Clinicians must be protected, she said, underscoring the importance of educating people about the disease. “Without understanding it, people die.”

“Communication and education are absolutely essential in responding to Ebola,” said Joseph Kanyike, communications director for the Global Methodist Church’s Uganda Annual Conference. “Medical interventions alone are not sufficient. People need clear, accurate and culturally relevant information about how the disease spreads, how to recognize symptoms, when to seek medical care, and how to protect themselves and their families.”

Hicks reached out to Kharas, who partnered with Harper Hill Global during a previous Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Kharas’ Chocolate Moose Media, working with Artha Animation, developed the video content, while Harper Hill Global handled translations and distribution through its faith-based networks in the region. In Congo, Musau helped with French production and distribution. Hicks worked with Yanga and fellow United Methodist communicator Chadrack Tambwe Londe on arranging translations and voiceovers. Hicks also worked with Kanyike and leaders in the GMC to produce Ugandan translations and voiceovers.

“This video is the fourth in a series of animations on Ebola containment and prevention,” Kharas said. “It came about not because we thought of it from far away, but in response to an urgent request from the DR Congo and Uganda. We created this 3.5-minute animation in record time, a mere six days from start to delivery. 

“The animation uses emotion to help affected populations understand the necessity to not touch bodies of their loved ones with Ebola,” he continued. “We provide an alternative thinking to family and friends and emphasize that the burials conducted by health care workers are dignified and safe.” The audience can watch the video and “come to their own conclusion to accept safe funeral practices,” he said.

The animation video is available in seven languages: Lingala, Congolese Swahili, French, Ugandan English, East African English, Luganda and Lugbara. To request an additional language, contact Neelley Hicks at nhicks@harperhill.global

The resources also include new versions of two videos that Hicks and Kharas produced through United Methodist Communications during a 2014-2015 outbreak and later updated in 2018. The videos and other resources are being distributed through WhatsApp and SMS texting, television, radio, and mobile classrooms that can be set up quickly in villages.

“With Harper Hill Global, we are working on translating animations that will be broadcast on television and radio into different local languages ​​to make awareness campaigns accessible to everyone,” Yanga said. “These animations convey messages of protection, prevention and awareness in the fight against Ebola. In addition to the animations, we will also be working on sending local SMS messages using UM Connect to serve as reminders about protection, prevention and the fight against Ebola.”

Harper Hill Global is seeking $125,000 to cover the cost of equipping and training local communication teams with systems, technologies, materials and message distribution, including purchasing radio and TV airtime. The campaign is a grass-roots effort, so every donation is important, regardless of amount, Hicks said.

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“Harper Hill Global has been a valuable partner in strengthening community-based Ebola awareness and prevention efforts,” Kanyike said. “Their support includes developing culturally relevant educational materials, particularly animated communication tools designed around rural African settings that local communities can easily identify with and understand. They are also helping build local capacity through online training programs for members of the Ebola response task force and community leaders involved in prevention and response activities.”

Said Hicks: “I want people to use their power to prevent this disease before it spreads, so sharing the communications with others – that’s key.”

The effort is pulling together diverse partners – secular supporters as well as religious, including both Global Methodists and United Methodists. The messaging was developed from a Christian standpoint, and the animation includes depictions of clergy working with grieving families.

Kanyike encourages people to pray for the affected communities and to support Harper Hill Global and other organizations that are responding. “Together,” he said, “we can help prevent further suffering and bring hope, healing and resilience to those most affected.”

How to help: You can support the Ebola response by giving to Harper Hill Global. 

Help by spreading this critical information to those near you. Each message may save a life.