Following her recent visit to Nepal, Feba’s Development Advisor, Marina Santee, describes the difference a radio can make…

“The potential of community radio is huge,” says Marina Santee, Feba’s Development Advisor. “It can literally change lives - and help save them.”

Marina recently visited Nepal to lead a training event with Vijay Manandhar, who works for Feba’s partner, Christian Nepali NGO, the Human Development Community Services (HDCS).

Improving lives
HDCS manages three hospitals in the country. With Feba’s support, it’s founded two rural community radio stations, one in the east (Okhaldhunga) and one in the west (Dadeldhura). Both are called Aafno FM – My Radio – and aim to follow Jesus’ example and share his light by caring for people’s ‘whole’ needs – practical, social and spiritual alike.

“People don’t necessarily think of radio when they think of inspiring change,” continues Marina. “But take our partnership with the hospitals – having health information on air is literally life-saving. These are rural communities and, for some, access to the nearest hospital can be difficult or impossible. Most people travel by foot, but many of the paths are rough and narrow – and not wide enough for a stretcher.

“That’s where radio comes in. If people can’t access a hospital, but can access information via radio, they can start to practice health advice. It also encourages people to be more open about health issues, and to seek help when they need it.”

Inspiring change
Community radio can also provide people with a platform for dialogue - and that can inspire change, explains Marina: “For example, in Nepal, there’s a real sense of community spirit and respect for those in authority. In Dadeldhura, the team recently set out to help people quit smoking. On top of broadcasting health information on the risks of smoking, they spoke to key members of the community, including police and shop owners.

“As a result, some shop owners have stopped selling cigarettes, and some police officers have gone on air to explain why they’ve decided to quit smoking – and encouraging others to do likewise.”

Community mapping
Aafno FM producers are from the communities they serve, and so have a natural insight into the areas. But understanding local needs is key to community radio, and for that, producers need to expand their local knowledge and relationships with the community.

During her recent visit to Nepal, Marina spent time training the FM team in a process known as ‘community mapping.’

It works like this: Producers ask local people to draw a map of their community. The residents then place stones on aspects they like – such as a community centre, and things they’d like to change – like a leaky water tank. Both the process and the results create a platform for dialogue, and provide a deeper understanding of a community’s needs.

Residents might, for example, highlight dirty water supplies – the obvious solution to which is education, broadcasting reminders to boil water. But, dig a little deeper, and the producers can discover there’s more to the issue, explains Marina: “Telling people to boil their water probably isn’t enough. When you speak to people, they’ll explain that wood is expensive and they’re unable to buy in bulk – so they can’t always boil water. Addressing the issue effectively may mean our FM partners contacting the forestry commission or political leaders.

“Community mapping enables us to understand problems – and their root cause. It’s about giving people a platform, encouraging dialogue and advocating for change.”

Instilling hope
It’s a powerful tool, encouraging dialogue across issues ranging from health and faith to traditional customs and attitudes towards women.

Being part of these communities, the producers understand local beliefs and culture. They don’t try to contradict them; they simply focus on positive stories, such as those that empower women. And they do so in response to issues the community itself has raised.

“The radio staff can’t solve these problems themselves,” says Marina. “But, using radio, they can advocate for change and give a community its voice. In these ways, our partners in Nepal are instilling hope and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

Pray
Please pray for the Aafno FM teams in Nepal, that God would continue to bless and guide them, and instil in them the energy they need to face the challenges they do.