
David and Shakira’s Story
Rwanda

Meet David and Shakira, two talented young dancers from Kigali, Rwanda, members of Grammy Award-winning Sherrie Silver's dance troupe. For them, dance isn’t just a hobby – it’s a source of joy and strength.
“Dance makes me happy. It allows me to forget why I might be feeling sad,” says David, 12, while Shakira, 11, chimes in with her dreams: “I want to be a worldwide dancing superstar.”
But like many children in Rwanda, their journey hasn’t been without the challenge of fighting off malaria. Both David and Shakira have had malaria recently, a potentially deadly disease that still burdens everyone in their community.
“Having malaria was a difficult time for me because I couldn't go out to play or go to school. I really missed school. I hate malaria,” shares David. For Shakira, the story is also familiar. “I stayed in my bed, I couldn't go out, I couldn't eat anything, if I ate I would just throw up.”
Malaria is a horrible disease, but one that Rwanda has made progress against in recent years.
David and Shakira are part of this change. They know the importance of protecting themselves and their community. “Now I sleep in the super net [next-generation bed net], I use anti-malaria cream, and I take the medicine and water whenever I get it,” says Shakira.
Behind this progress is a collective effort. Rwanda has trained around 60,000 community health workers, with 30,000 focusing on home-based malaria management. This has significantly reduced severe malaria cases and hospital admissions. The government has also increased spending in the health sector, demonstrating a real commitment to ending malaria.
David and Shakira’s stories remind us of the misery malaria can bring, but also what is possible. With more investment from our leaders, combined with greater awareness and action, we can help make sure that children everywhere have the chance to grow up healthy and chase their dreams.




