The OSKDA Manifesto: A Digital Revolution for Public Health
The vision for OSKDA «Open Society For Keeping Dignity Active» was ignited within the halls of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. It was there, specifically under the guidance of the Health Behavior and Risk Reduction lectures delivered by Dr. Tracy Wilson, and further enriched by the essential classes taught by her esteemed colleagues in the field of public health, that our founder, Gordien Ndizeye, mastered the core principles of health behavioral science. This academic foundation provided the intellectual spark and the strategic framework that transformed a student’s passion into a global health movement grounded in rigorous evidence.
Health behavioral science is the study of how human actions and social environments determine physical well-being, focusing on the habits and psychological drivers that lead to either health or illness. By applying these principles, OSKDA moves beyond simply treating symptoms; we address the root causes of disease by changing the very environment in which choices are made. This scientific foundation was further strengthened through Gordien’s pivotal internship with NYC REACH within the Clinical and Community Linkage Program at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Working at the front lines of urban health in New York City, Gordien focused on intensive prevention and intervention for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Today, we carry those world-class lessons from the streets of New York to the heart of Burundi, proving that chronic diseases are not inevitable—they are preventable through proactive, community-based risk reduction.
The Power of the Message: Digital Mobilization
At OSKDA, we have turned the smartphone into a life-saving instrument. By utilizing WhatsApp and targeted digital messaging, Gordien has pioneered a revolutionary behavior change technique that meets the community exactly where they are. This technique is a direct application of behavioral science, using digital “cues to action” to interrupt sedentary routines and trigger healthy choices in real-time. We do not wait for the community to seek out health; we bring health to their fingertips, using positive reinforcement and digital connectivity to ensure that the knowledge of health behavior change is accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or background.
Leadership in Action: Micheline and Martine Iradukunda
A movement is only as strong as the leaders who carry its message. We are profoundly proud of Micheline Iradukunda and Martine Iradukunda, our dynamic young women leaders who serve as the heartbeat of this mobilization. Through their relentless dedication, they have empowered a new generation to answer the call, prioritizing their physical health as the foundation for their families and their nation. Micheline and Martine embody the spirit of social modeling—proving that when young women lead by example, the entire society is inspired to move forward with strength and purpose.
Total Health: Strengthening Economy and Peace
We believe that physical and mental health are two parts of the same whole. To thrive, we must care for both actively and proactively, stripping away the barriers of stigma that hold us back. Our mission to mobilize Burundian youth through physical exercise is a strategic strike against the rising tide of chronic disease. By reducing health risks today, we are securing the economic vitality and the social peace of tomorrow. When our young men and women join together in movement, they develop the discipline, unity, and resilience required to lead Burundi into a new era of stability. By protecting our bodies, we are protecting our peace.
A Legacy of Gratitude
Every success OSKDA achieves is a tribute to the mentorship of Dr. Tracy Wilson and her esteemed colleagues in the public health field. Their academic lectures, combined with the practical rigors of the NYC DOHMH, are woven into every message we send and every life we impact. We are not just preventing disease; we are reclaiming the dignity of a nation, one message and one movement at a time.
Images of our youth leaders and participants engaged in physical exercise—demonstrating the strength, joy, and unity of the OSKDA movement.
«Physical and mental health are two parts of the same whole; we must care for both without stigma or barriers getting in our way.» — Gordien Ndizeye, Founder
