Amplifying Voices in Sierra Leone

It is nearly 3 months since their country was declared Ebola-free and Sierra Leoneans are yearning for a return to normality.  But for many, life still remains far from normal, as communities emerge from trauma, where many still face social stigma, persistent health problems and don't trust the health system.  Added to this, an estimated 4 million people in the country are at risk of starvation and over 19,000 children have been affected by the Ebola virus through the loss of parents or loved ones.

In collaboration with partners, Feba UK and Affirm, HCR UK are working with three communities, a hospital, churches and a radio station to help local communities recover after the trauma of Ebola.  Following a workshop to introduce a powerful community engagement process, known as "SALT”, the project will link local communities, health providers, people of faith and radio, using the strengths of each to promote dialogue, reconciliation and healing in Sierra Leone." 

Australian University honours HCR Founder

Dr. Ross James shows workshop participants in Pakistan his shoes, saying,  "If you want to change communities you need to get your shoes dirty."

HCR’s Founder, Dr. Ross James has been nominated for a Curtin University Global Impact Award for 'outstanding contributions that have enriched the welfare of humanity on an international scale'.  The award, which is part of the the Perth-based university’s Alumni Achievement Awards, was set up to recognise Curtin graduates who are making significant contributions to society.  

Professor Colin Binns, the John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Public Health, said Ross James had made a significant contribution to public health in the Asia Pacific region though his expertise in health communication.  “He has worked tirelessly as a volunteer, academic and international aid consultant to benefit the citizens of the countries he has worked in. In particular he has concentrated on the most disadvantaged in these communities,” Professor Binns said.   Dr. Peter Howat, Emeritus Professor at the School of Public Health at Curtin University and former colleague of Dr. James said, "His work has been truly inspirational and worthy of high recognition.”  Dr. Howat added that for over 40 years, Ross James had made outstanding professional and voluntary contributions that had enriched the lives of many people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds both within Australia and in numerous countries throughout the world, underpinned by his extremely high Christian ideals.   

Ross James is widely regarded as one of the world’s most recognised experts in community-centred, health-promoting radio.  Many of the initiatives that he has been involved in have greatly improved the health and social development of many communities in countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Philippines and Kyrgyzstan. The beneficial effects of his pioneering efforts have also been felt by remote Aboriginal communities and international non-government organisations.  Ross has formerly held honorary appointments as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University.

The award ceremony will take place in Perth on 13 November 2015.

Innovative Radio Program Spreads Hope in Pakistan

Say “Pakistan” and people think the worst, because the news presents the worst. But Pakistan contains much beauty, much of interest and wonderful personal stories of hope.

Nadeem Awan, disabled since childhood, is one of those stories. A few years ago Nadeem began listening to a radio program in his city of Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu & Kashmir Provence (AJK). The program, Syban (meaning shelter) has forged strong links with local aid, development and education institutions. Syban is broadcast for an hour a week on VOK FM Muzaffarabad and has a strong commitment to issues affecting people who live with disability. The program has achieved great recognition for innovative ways of promoting solutions to community-identified issues and of involving listeners on air in ways not before seen in Pakistan.

Nadeem says he never misses a Syban program. “I am a wheelchair user and what I am today is because of Syban. I do not have any word to (adequately) say thanks to the Syban team. I have learned to live independently because of Syban.”

HCR has provided training and coaching to the local Syban team who produces the program with funding from organisational partners. Following HCR’s community-centred radio framework, Syban has involved local people as contributors. Syban recently reached a milestone, delivering training workshops using manuals and materials developed by HCR but contextualised to the local cultural context.

Shahzad, Syban team leader, said the purpose of the recent training was to increase community participation by training listeners to co-host the Syban radio program and to interview local people about their experiences. “We have learnt this from HCR and Dr Ross James,” said Shahzad, explaining, “It is called ‘handing over the mic’ to local people who are not professional broadcasters but who can communicate to their peers”.

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Pictured is Nadeem, who attended the workshop, being presented his training certificate by Radio VOK FM manager. Nadeem will be appointed as a Syban volunteer program host and reporter, and paid an honorarium for his work. Nadeem’s brother, Maqsood (slightly hidden behind Nadeem), received a local hero award by Syban in 2014 in honour of his dedication to his brother, assisting him in his daily life.

Radio VOK FM is now considering the suitability of some of the training participants for on air programs. Local journalists who saw workshop photos posted on Facebook complained to the station manager because he did not invite them to the training. The manager told Shahzad he switched off his mobile phone because there too many calls!

HCR’s Dr Ross James travels to Pakistan twice a year to provide coaching and consultancy to the Syban team, with funding from Syban partners. 

Tana FM prepares communities for El Nino

As the Kenyan Meteorological office warns coastal areas in Kenya of the high risk of flooding due to El Niño, newly founded HCR partner station Tana FM , is playing its part to get communities prepared.  Having gone on the air with the first test broadcasts only in May this year, Alex Stout and Jon Hargreaves from HCR UK were joined by new Kenyan team-member Sheila Maina, to train the Tana FM team on how to link with other emergency service providers and the community, to promote awareness and give critical information to help people survive in the event of flooding.   The people of Tana River have experienced floods in the past, but the mention of El Niño reflects back to 1997 when floods devastated the region and displaced tens of thousands of people. Officials are warning that as many as 70,000 people could be displaced by the rising waters in the next few weeks.

Tana FM's Shedrack Hiribae interviews Dr Badru Mohaji, Director of Special Programmes and Cohesion, about Tana River County's flood preparations, with support from HCR's Alex Stout.

In its short existence, Tana FM, the first community station in Tana River County, has already become a trusted voice in the community.  The station's CEO, Shedrack Hiribae, says Tana FM has already begun to have a big impact.  Mr Hiribae described how the team's peace-building initiatives have promoted dialogue between conflicted communities and also how mango farmers have got a better deal for the sale of their produce as a result of the station's advocacy work.   

Tana FM producer Maureen talks to Peter Munyonki from the County's Disaster Response Team

Reflecting on Reconciliation Week

View from Gunnadoo Farm.  You can just see the ocean in the background.

Reconciliation week is one of great importance, for both Indigenous (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) and non-Indigenous Australians.   The biggest milestone for reconciliation was the 1967 referendum, where an overwhelming amount of the non-Indigenous population voted ‘Yes’ to  the end of official discrimination and the promise of full and equal citizenship.  This was a significant change from “fauna and flora”, as Indigenous Australians were previously recognised. One of our volunteers distinctly recalls these times, and the negative impact it caused.

Discrimination towards Indigenous people was rife, the massacre of at least 20 000 Indigenous people occurred from European settlement in 1780’s until 1928.  Although Indigenous people were meant to be protected under British Law, this was often not the case, with mistreatment towards Indigenous people deemed “justified”.  Many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families due to various policies, the main one adapted by all states was known as “assimilation”, in an attempt to “breed out the Indigenous culture”, which to this day continues to affect Indigenous communities.

Since the 1967 referendum, reconciliation has continued to grow stronger with the 1992 Mabo decision, where Indigenous people were finally recognised as the first occupants of Australia, followed later by  Kevin Rudd’s National Apology in 2008.  However, there is still a long way to go.  One of the elders in Carnarvon said to us that often people will say that “it’s in the past, and Aboriginal people need to look to the future”.  However, the elder made a very strong point that “WW1 and WW2 are in the past too, but Australians still remember on ANZAC Day”.  It’s important to learn from history to move forward, and a lot of the history of Indigenous people has still not been recorded.

There were a range of events in Geraldton that signified reconciliation, and how far Australia has come and where we can work together to continue reconciliation into the future.  One of the events was at Gunnadoo Farm (about 30 minutes east of Geraldton), where schools from Geraldton and Mullewa came to showcase their dance groups, ranging from traditional dance, to cheerleading, and jazz.  It was a fantastic day, where everyone got involved and helped out.  I managed to have a chat with some of the children about why they love dancing, have a listen to the link below to hear their responses. 

I also had the opportunity to discuss with people ‘what reconciliation means to them?’.   This is one of the most powerful recordings I have done.  There is so much that could be said about the endurance and forgiveness of the Indigenous population, but the community voice gives it more justice than I ever could.  Listen to the recording and tell us what you think. 

I know that this recording has given me hope that one day we can all say we are proud Australians that can work together as one, learn from one another, and put an end to discrimination.

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.