A new voice for peace in Eastern Kenya's troubled Tana River County

Since the nineteenth century, eastern Kenya's Tana River county has often been the scene of violent conflict, largely between two ethnic groups, the dominant Orma, who are nomadic cattle-herders and the Pokomo, who are farmers.   Many of the disputes have been over land use and access to water, however the intensity of these conflicts has increased in recent decades.  This has been fuelled by the easy access of weapons flooding across the nearby border with Somalia, growing poverty, the pressure caused by poorly managed resources and political interference.  Add to that toxic mix, the extremist group Al Shebab, which is trying to destabilise Kenya and Tana River County, is at risk of descending into violent conflict.

The tranquil Tana River, Kenya's largest river, has often been the scene of violent conflict over many decades

Now there's a new voice in town, promoting peace and community cohesion.  With the help of equipment and training from HCR UK, Tana FM is now on the air broadcasting test messages from the capital Hola.  While they wait for the licensing authority to issue the licence, the community is seeking to demonstrate that it has not only the capability, but the passion to deliver a new message - one of hope and harmony.  The station is already attracting the attention of a number of key stakeholders, who believe it will make a difference.  Former MP and prominent anti-FGM campaigner Jebii Kilimo, believes the station will be a powerful tool for getting the message out to difficult-to-reach communities.

HCR is working with local and international partners to build local capacity and planning to extend the reach of the station, to ensure that coverage gets to the areas at greatest risk, often where  rumours and misinformation fuel tensions.  Shedrack Hiribae, CEO of Kenya Sustainable Health Aid (KESHA), who first had the vision for a radio station, believes this "new voice in town" will  fill a gap in getting reliable and objective information to the community as well as being a voice for the community.  "Tana FM will not only promote peace, it will help development and be a force for positive social change," he said.

Ancient weapons used in past conflicts are giving way to modern weaponry which come across borders from conflicts in neighbouring states, like Somalia, with devastating effect

Tune back in time to the wireless

By Celeste Larkins

Did you listen to the radio when you were a child?  If so, what did you listen to?  Did you tune in for the music, or was it the dramas, or sports coverage?

Dane and I had the privilege of being taken back to a time where radio in Australia was the main form of information and entertainment, although back then it was called the ‘wireless’.  Recently we attended a Yarning Circle at the Geraldton foreshore organised by Bundiyarra Aboriginal Corporation.  There we had the opportunity to speak with Yamaji Elder, Rob Ronan.  The stories he shared with us of his childhood and growing up in Geraldton were enthralling, covering topics of environment, pastimes, and the impact of segregation laws on Aboriginal people.  The interview we recorded was used as part of the Yamaji Yarning Project, which HCR are working on in partnership with Radio MAMA.  The aim of the project is to record stories of the Yamaji people, and share them via radio broadcast to promote preservation of these stories for future generations.

Rob shared how the ‘wireless’ was an influential part of his childhood, in particular at night time when he would listen to drama serials, as there was no television.  He emphasised how he would use his imagination to picture the scene in his favourite serials such as Green Bottle, Biggles, and Hagen’s Circus.  Dane and I soaked up every word he spoke.  Not only were we able to picture what life was like in Geraldton back then, we also learned how significant radio was throughout Rob's childhood.

It was incredible to record Rob Ronan’s story and to continue to share his story through radio to the present and future Mid West communities.  Hopefully, people will be able to paint a picture of his childhood in their mind when they listen in, the same way Rob did when he was a child tuning in to Green Bottle.

If you would like to share in Rob Ronan's story of his childhood and his favourite wireless serials, listen in by clicking below.

To listen to the full interview click below.

Food scientists in Pakistan impressed with HCR’s community-centred radio model

An international conference in Pakistan has heard HCR explain how community-centred radio programming can help support sustainable development. International scientists gathered to report on sustainable crop technology at the “Scientists for Sustainability” forum in Islamabad, which was organized by the Lok Sanjh Foundation (LSF) and the Rural Business Development Center.

HCR Pakistan Director, Hazeen Latif, was invited to deliver a paper about HCR’s experience of how social change can occur when communities, radio stations and service providers collaborate in the making of messages for education and information at the local level. Hazeen made the point that radio programming methods need to respond to changes in the way listeners listen to radio. Recent research in Pakistan shows that around 90% of listeners in urban and rural areas use a mobile phone to listen to radio. Around 10% used a pocket radio.

After the audience responded with loud applause to Hazeen’s presentation, the conference Chair, Juma Salum Shamte, from Tanzania, said it was the first time he understood how radio programming was relevant to the issues being addressed by the conference. Dr. Shahid Zia, Director of the LSF declared “We want this model in Pakistan”.

HCR's Hazeen Latif with Gabriel (left) and Juma Shamte (right), conference delegates from Tanzania.

Delegates who wrote the conference recommendations included the adoption of community-centred radio as a support to sustainable development.

VIDEO DIARY: Peacebuilding in Kenya

Broadcast journalist Alex Williams has joined HCR UK's Alex Stout to develop a community-centred radio station in Eastern Kenya's troubled Tana River County.  Here's his latest video diary.

Bipolar: A lived experience from diagnosis to recovery

By Celeste Larkins 

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It is estimated that 45% of Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.  In any one year, around one million Australian adults have depression, and over two million have anxiety.

The odds are high that during our lifetime we will be affected by mental illness, either through friends and family, or by experiencing it ourselves.

Research shows that there are similar rates of mental health issues in rural and remote areas of Australia, when compared with metropolitan areas.  However, the availability of mental health services in rural/remote areas and the ability for people living in those areas to access these services differs significantly from metropolitan areas.

HCR and partner Radio MAMA in Geraldton, Western Australia, have been working on a grass-roots project with the Mid West community to reduce stigma and break down barriers to seeking professional mental help.  HCR has been recording the stories of community members who have a lived experience of managing and recovering from mental illness.  These stories are broadcast on Radio MAMA, throughout the Mid West, aimed at connecting with listeners and giving them a greater understanding of the complexities of mental illness.

Listen to this inspiring interview with Cathy, who shares her story of living with bipolar and her journey to recovery.  It is by sharing these candid stories and encouraging an honest dialogue about mental health that community radio can give hope to those touched by mental illness.

If you think that you or any of your friends/family are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, please seek professional medical advice from your doctor.  For more information on mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit their website: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Sources:

1.Beyond Blue (2015).  The facts: Depression and Anxiety are Common Conditions.  Retrieved from, http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts

2.The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2013). Mental Health in Rural Areas.  Retrieved from, https://www.ranzcp.org/Publications/Rural-psychiatry/Mental-health-in-rural-areas.aspx

Papua New Guinea to Perth

By Celeste Larkins

For a week in February, HCR had the greatest pleasure of training a lovely young gentleman, Sidney, from the Tari province in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.  Sidney has been involved in the set-up of the community radio station Hela FM, under the guidance of HCR Board Member, Martin Gould.  Finally, after much preparation, the radio is very close to being on air. Sidney traveled all the way to Perth to continue his training with HCR to be ready as a community broadcaster.

Celeste (right), Sidney (centre) and Dane (left) in the office.

Radio Hela will be established as a community-centred radio station to help the community of Tari to address health and social issues.  While the station is yet to air, Sidney has already been spending time in the villages connecting community and service providers, as well as recording people’s stories, with thousands of files on the database all ready for when the station begins broadcast.  The week of training in Perth with Sidney further developed his fast-progressing radio skills. Topics covered through the week of training in Perth included the role of community-centred media and developing programs and techniques to engage with community using radio.

Sidney has dedicated a lot of time and hard-work to generate interest in the villages of Tari province, and has been able to commit this time with the support of the local church.  The HCR team were very impressed at Sidney’s eagerness and enthusiasm to learn as much as possible to further help his community.  The week Sidney arrived, Martin purchased him a laptop, which was his first own laptop and his face said it all about how appreciative he was.  He had such joy and excitement.  In comparison to many of us who have all that we need and want at our fingertips, Sidney is so willing to give, even while having minimal commodities available to him.

Sidney told us of his community and how he walks hours to get to each village.  He explained that communities rely on generators for electricity, that there is no running water, how they eat what they grow or find food in the bush, and he spoke of the impact malaria has in the province.  When asked what he does on the weekend his response was that he often goes hunting…with bow and arrow.  It is incredible how different his lifestyle is to ours, and how we often take for granted simple things like having clean water from a tap.

Words cannot describe how inspiring Sidney is and we are grateful that he is a member of our HCR team. Watch this space, because he is going to continue to do great things! 

Radio MAMA provides emergency information for Carnarvon community affected by Cyclone Olwyn

Tropical Cyclone Olwyn has decimated many banana plantations in Carnarvon, WA (Picture: ABC News, Doriana Mangili)

Last Friday the 13th of March, people living in Perth, Western Australia were bracing for strong weather warnings predicted over the weekend caused by Cyclone Olwyn.  Geraldton was on Yellow Alert Friday evening after the cyclone tore through Exmouth causing severe destruction.  However, the Category Three Cyclone changed direction at the last minute leaving Geraldton and Perth with only a sprinkle of rain, and people thinking “What a fizzle that cyclone was!”

This light plane was damaged in Carnarvon during the cyclone. (Picture: ABC News, Robert Koenig-Luck)

Carnarvon however, wasn't so lucky.  At 11am on Friday 13th the Cyclone hit, uprooting big trees, pushing electrical poles over, and tearing roof sheeting from homes. Many reported  the wind was so strong that the rain was horizontal.  HCR's Geraldton-based staff work closely with Radio MAMA Carnarvon, an Aboriginal community radio station.

Today,  staff spoke with Radio MAMA volunteers Carmel and Antonio to discuss the aftermath of the cyclone.  Here’s what announcer Carmel, had to say:

It was really scary being by myself at home. I was stuck inside with just a candle for my only light, it made me feel dread.  I couldn’t wait until the next morning so there was light.  I heard a banging sound and thought it was damage being done to the neighbour’s house, but it was my front fence swinging in the wind.  I went outside to try close it and could hardly walk from the force of the storm.  The next morning before the sun even came up I went outside to see the damage.  There was debris everywhere and flooding.  At my daughters house a tree had been blown over by the wind the night before, and in the morning when she awoke it was back up.  The wind had changed direction and forced it up again. I got my electricity back Saturday evening, but some places only got there’s back yesterday.  Having no electricity affected so much including critical services like the hospital.  We couldn't access money for food or phone credit.  Luckily, services have set up at the Wool Shed, and we have been able to get food and make phone calls.

Volunteer Antonio was also affected by the cyclone:

My dad works on one of the banana plantations.  There has been 100% damage to the 48 plantations in Carnarvon.  My dad’s house on the plantation had a tin roof, which was completely ripped off.  There were services around to help, but because of the damage to other houses exposing asbestos, there were precautions in place for the workers.  It was hard to explain that it was just a tin roof.  However, we did get some tape and my dad and I were able to fit it.  My house in town was damaged as well.

Carmel and Antonio said that the Carnarvon community are doing well now and have united together, with everyone doing what they can to get the town back up and running.  Carmel expressed how great it was that Radio MAMA broadcast up to date information of the cyclone warnings, and then what to do in the aftermath.  Although, power was lost, Radio MAMA was the first station back on air, providing emergency coverage for the Carnarvon community.  Radio is often the only available source of vital information and warnings when a cyclone hits. It is wonderful to see a community station like Radio MAMA providing this much needed emergency information to the Carnarvon community.

Nepal’s “Our” FM praised by government

Federal politicians and local officials have offered high praise for Afno (“Our”) FM at the station’s sixth anniversary celebration in Okhaldhunga, north east Nepal.

Project manager Vijay Manandhar said “We made history in Okhaldhunga when four members of parliament, the chief army officer, the chief of police officer and other political leaders visited the station. They all gave their heart touching speech about how our radio programs are transforming the community and wished us continued success.”

Member of parliament Rai sharing about Afno FM.

Activities conducted over the three-day anniversary celebrations included distributing fruit to hospital patients and prisoners in the district jail, a speech contest for listeners, new radio sets given to regular listeners, and an opportunity for journalists from district and national media to find out more about the unique role Afno FM has as a radio station that keeps the community at the centre of all that it does.

Vijay also announced that Afno staff have decided to make a personal off-air contribution by giving some of their salary to support needy students. The money, to be collected every month, will pay for the students’ school fees. 

  Afno FM Team Okhaldhunga.

HCR provided training and consultancy to the Nepali team of Afno FM, which is a partnership between a Nepali NGO and Feba UK.

First Radio Gig for Martu Kids in Newman

By Rachel Buch

Visiting the YMCA Early Learning Centre was definitely a highlight of our recent visit to Newman. As soon as we walked in the door an energetic group of Martu kids were absolutely bouncing off the walls to greet us.  

At our first mention of radio the kids quickly told us they did not listen to Newman’s community radio station because it was “boring”, but their interest peaked when we asked them if it would be more interesting if they were on the radio. They began telling us their ideas and, without us even asking, some of the problems they identified in their community. Kids as young as 8 years old told us they were worried about the older kids in their community, with many having problems with alcohol, drugs and smoking.

We placed a flipchart and some marker pens on a table. Within moments these future adults were working together, brainstorming ways to express their concerns to the rest of the community and writing down their thoughts. When we invited each person to read out their own idea, some didn’t want to be recorded. But with coaching from us and encouragement from their carer, Jackie, by the end of the session almost every child had contributed to the recordings.

We then went back to our accommodation and quickly edited the individual statements into several radio segments (community service announcements), then emailed them to our partners. The next day our local partner Angela Wilmot told us that some kids who had participated in the workshop visited her house the next day and she played them the finished recordings. “You should have seen their faces!” she said. “The kids absolutely lit up when they heard themselves speak.”

Listen  to the kids telling us what they think about smoking:

Be encouraged with us! Encouraged to know that Martu youth in Newman are engaging their peers to talk about issues they see around them everyday. Encouraged to be supporting the potential these young people have to make a difference in their own community. And encouraged to know that we are supporting groups like the YMCA and John and Angela Wilmot in their work among the Martu people.

If you would like to support our work in Newman please click here.

Light in the Darkness: Communities come together

In the shadow of the brutal massacre of 145 children and staff at a school in Peshawar last week by Taliban militants, Muslim and Christian communities in a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, have come together to light candles for the slain and to celebrate the birth of Isa or Jesus, revered by both communities.

In a project, spearheaded by HCR Pakistan, where the two communities are working together to use media to tackle health and social issues and build community cohesion, church and mosque leaders along with members from both communities remembered the families affected by the tragedy and spoke of the need for peace and harmony.  While the pastor announced that they would not celebrate Christmas this year in the light of the murders, an Imam said that his community had brought a cake to celebrate the birth of Isa and that they must celebrate.

A Muslim community radio station in the UK, Awaz FM, joined the event live to report on the interfaith gathering and to discuss the deep grief felt by all Pakistanis at this time.  They were joined by the mayors of High Wycombe and Slough, Cllrs Khalil Ahmed and Shafiq Chaudhry, who praised the organisers of the event, saying more events of this nature were needed to foster peace and understanding among Pakistani communities. 

First Response Radio needed in Pakistan

Thirty participants from Pakistan’s major FM radio channels and representatives from INGO and NGO agencies have welcomed plans to set up a First Response Radio (FRR) network in Pakistan.   Speaking at FRR’s inaugural meeting at a hotel in Islamabad, IOM (International Organisation for Migration) coordinator Naima Saeed told the audience that radio was a key medium for communicating with survivors after a disaster and that establishing First Response radio in Pakistan will be a great step forward in helping disaster affected communities. 

IOM's Naima Saeed speaking at the First Response Radio inaugural event in Islamabad

The event marks the start of a plan to equip and train local teams to set up a radio station within 72 hours of a disaster anywhere in Pakistan.   HCR’s Hazeen Latif who is the First Response Pakistan coordinator says, “In the last ten years, nine teams have been trained, 15 disasters responded to, and we’ve been getting closer to the 72 hour mark as witnessed in the First Response Radio deployment to Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.”

The event in Islamabad was a collaborative venture between Pakistan-based NGO, Foundation for Better Tomorrow (FFBT), First Response and HCR. 

HCR's Jon Hargreaves, Ross James and Hazeen Latif with Shaikh Wasim Ahmed, CEO of FFTB

Innovative Advocacy in Kenya

While HCR's partner in  Kenya works hard to obtain a community radio licence for the conflict-torn Tana River,  the team on the ground have been continuing the work we began in June by meeting community groups, lobbying local government and vociferously advocating to bring pressure for the release of a licence.  In a touch of amazing ingenuity, the Tana FM team were invited to have a stand to celebrate World Food Day (WFD) in the Tana River capital, Hola, recently.  

Improvised broadcasting to prove the value of radio to promote peace, health and social development in Tana River

Using the content they made during the HCR workshop in June, they demonstrated how FM radio works through an improvised transmitter and antenna (above), going live on air.  People all around tuned their FM pocket radios and mobile phones to listen and contributed to the broadcasts.  The WFD organisers were so impressed that they said the Tana FM stand was the best in using technology to improve food security and invited them to participate in future county occasions with radio broadcasting.

We remain hopeful that the licence will soon be released so that work can begin on installing the equipment and HCR can continue training and building capacity on the ground.

A guest has his say at the Tana FM stand on World Food Day

Peace Building in Tana Delta, Kenya

The Tana Delta in Kenya has for decades been the scene of violent conflict between two ethnic groups, the dominant Ormo who are nomadic cattle-herders, and the Pokomo, who are farmers. This news article from last year, speaks of the violence which plagues this region.

This month Jon Hargreaves and Alex Stout (HCR UK) traveled to this violence-torn district, accompanied by a young journalist, Alex Williams, who reported on the HCR community workshops conducted. The video report provides a great insight into HCR’s involvement and the hope for a peace-building radio initiative which can help prevent violent attacks occurring in the future. View the video below:

A first consultation and workshop drew key stakeholders from local government and service providers, followed by a second which brought together members of the different tribal communities to work on plans for a community-centred radio station, which will tackle many of the region's problems.

Besides a peace agenda, the station will help promote better farming and irrigation practices, education and health as well as tackling difficult social issues such as witchcraft, female genital mutilation, early marriages, polygamy and segregation against women.

While the project will require foreign funding for the station set-up, it has a great chance of becoming completely locally sustainable within the first year. 

Stay tuned for further updates from Jon and Alex as they navigate their way through a very complex situation where tribe, religion, ethnicity, family and politics make a very potent and toxic brew that could flare up in violence at any time.  

Community members from Tana River County in Kenya are eager to be involved in a community-centred media strategy for peace-building and addressing social issues.

Alex (left)) and Jon (right) working with local community members on a "mapping" activity to identify community needs.

Jon, Alex and Alex with community members from Tana Delta, Kenya.