My Nonprofit Reviews

In Sub-Sahara Africa Radio is the queen of communications media. It’s everywhere, it’s inexpensive, and it builds on the oral traditions of the local cultures. Radio is all about storytelling. Community radio is local folks telling their own stories, stories that inform and move people to action. Florence was a child bride in Malawi. She told her story on the radio and, in doing so, helped other young girls avoid the problems she had. At the same time, she informed the broader community, including its leaders, of the problems young girls forced into marriage face. Telling her story helped her redirect her life. Florence worked with reporter Daniel who was trained by Developing Radio Partners (DRP), an NGO that is rooted in local community radio, trains citizens to tell their own stories, and helps organize listener clubs to discuss those stories and to facilitate action. DRP helps local radio stations that tell these stories become sustainable through training and technical support. As technology evolves, DRP helps local radio move into new delivery methods, like podcasts, available to anyone with a mobile phone. I am retired from careers in both rural community radio in Alaska and international community media development. Serving on the board of DRP allows me to use some of my skills in retirement enabling people to tell their stories and build community.