My work here has been very rewarding. For me, becoming a journalist was about following my passion. I get a kick from collecting information and letting people know what’s going on. I like being out in the field and not in an office. I’m very adventurous and I like to meet people - I can’t do that sitting in my comfy chair. It is through talking to people about their welfare and their issues and hearing their stories that we can touch people’s lives.
The volunteers at Radio Bontico do it because they know their radio station is important. In addition to production training, I have got them to think about ways they can raise money for the station, as they need to try and make the station sustainable. They now make a small charge for on air dedications, hold fundraising events and market the station by handing out request forms. It’s a diverse group - our volunteers include two teenage girls who are students and several teachers. Everyone helps out but we do have one stand-out volunteer and star attraction: Augustine Ansumana. He is amazing.
Augustine is 48 and has lived on Sherbro all his life. He donates most of his time to volunteering at the radio. About 13 years ago, a degenerative eye disease left Augustine blind. He says he doesn’t know why he lost his sight, that it might be the will of God. Augustine presents the weekend evening show and has a huge following. He presents in a local language, Mende, and plays music by local artists. People relate to this and they love the way he talks to them. Augustine tells stories that often end with a question and so people interact with him. Everybody knows him.
He didn’t need any training from me on presentation but I was able to help him learn how to use a Marantz recorder for vox pops. He feels his way around the buttons. He’s told me he has enjoyed the opportunity to be more like a journalist and not just a DJ. I’ve also encouraged Augustine to head to Freetown to take a course in braille but like many inhabitants of Sherbro he is reluctant to leave the island for too long.
Augustine loves his role and he loves his fame. He told me: “This is my home and I want to work for the benefit of the people. They know my voice, we speak the same language and I raise issues that matter to them. I am better than anyone else they can listen too.”
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The volunteers at Radio Bontico do it because they know their radio station is important. In addition to production training, I have got them to think about ways they can raise money for the station, as they need to try and make the station sustainable. They now make a small charge for on air dedications, hold fundraising events and market the station by handing out request forms. It’s a diverse group - our volunteers include two teenage girls who are students and several teachers. Everyone helps out but we do have one stand-out volunteer and star attraction: Augustine Ansumana. He is amazing.
Augustine is 48 and has lived on Sherbro all his life. He donates most of his time to volunteering at the radio. About 13 years ago, a degenerative eye disease left Augustine blind. He says he doesn’t know why he lost his sight, that it might be the will of God. Augustine presents the weekend evening show and has a huge following. He presents in a local language, Mende, and plays music by local artists. People relate to this and they love the way he talks to them. Augustine tells stories that often end with a question and so people interact with him. Everybody knows him.
He didn’t need any training from me on presentation but I was able to help him learn how to use a Marantz recorder for vox pops. He feels his way around the buttons. He’s told me he has enjoyed the opportunity to be more like a journalist and not just a DJ. I’ve also encouraged Augustine to head to Freetown to take a course in braille but like many inhabitants of Sherbro he is reluctant to leave the island for too long.
Augustine loves his role and he loves his fame. He told me: “This is my home and I want to work for the benefit of the people. They know my voice, we speak the same language and I raise issues that matter to them. I am better than anyone else they can listen too.”
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(Source : BBC Media Action Blog)
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