Equal Access - Stories - Introduction



Inspired to make appositive difference in her community - Nepal A group member of a Naya Nepal listening group recently told EA staff that last Tihar (holiday), her group played Deusi Bhailo (a singing game) to raise money for their group. In July, the group organized a program in her village against the social ills of drinking local alcohol and gambling. The group members invited people from different organizations and conducted the program with an inaugural song, other songs, poems, dancing and a speech. Now the group is planning to conduct a program on the “untouchables” caste and have invited Equal Access staff to participate in the program. Some of the group members also love to listen to Sathi Sanga Man Ko Kura, “Chatting with My Best Friend”.
Doing her homework - Cambodia Sopheap, an 18 year old Cambodian girl, was planning to migrate to find work in Korea, as she had heard work there is easy to find and salaries are higher than in Cambodia. After hearing Equal Access' safe migration radio show, however, she took a suggested precaution and asked the Korean company to give her more specifics about the job. When she found they were not able to tell her anything about the work, she feared she would be trafficked into the sex industry like the characters in the drama, and decided to stay in her hometown, where she says she can still support herself.
Youth showing an interest in politics now- Nepal According to female listening group member in Nepal, “This radio program [Naya Nepal] helped us to understand different issues of Nepal. I use to share these issues in college also. We, the youth should take interest in politics and understand politics as well.”
Newfound Self Confidence for youth- Nepal “I am very happy to have friends like you. You can't imagine how much impact your program has in my life. I was always weak and nervous to speak with big people. I thought that my life would go on this way as I am born in a village- but through your program I learned that it is not the place that matters but the hard work. I always felt inferior for being a woman -but I was wrong - and now the self confidence and excitement has developed. You have provided a base for the poor, helpless and hurt people like me. I will study and do something good for everyone with my self confidence. I will stand on my own feet.” -Letter from “Chatting with My Best Friend” Listener
Inspired to go back to school- Nepal “We can do something being in the [discussion] group. This group is inspiring me to learn. We can study at any age. On the radio, I heard that a grandmother and a granddaughter are going school together.” - Pabitra Nepali, 26, the facilitator of Saksham Kishor Kisori Radio Srota Samuha - a local listeners club. Pabitra is now is studying in Class 5 & has made a song on schooling.
A little bit wiser - Cambodia "Equal Access' program is important for the community. Some people were uneducated or had little knowledge, and as a result they were easily cheated. However, there has been a change since Equal Access's program was implemented in the village. They start to get some information and knowledge, and they do not believe others so easily." - Commune chief, Kratie province
Changed Gender Perceptions following listening group discussions- Nepal Members of the Hatemalo Listeners Club in Nepal recently told Equal Access staff member, Binaya Guragain, there have been positive changes in their community since the Listeners Club has begun listening to and discussing Eqaul Access' peacebuilding program, Naya Nepal. Gathered in front of the listening group facilitator's house people said, "In our community we (male) used to restricted women of our community in household activities. Women had to cover up their face while they talked with man. It was somehow impossible male and female to sit together in public meeting or gathering. We (male) never allowed our female partners to talk with other people from out of community. But now we sit together and listen to this radio program in a group. They do not have to cover up their face. They can talk to anyone they want. They have the rights to make a decision what they would think useful to theme. Those are the main changes."
Information about how to save cattle reaches villagers in Uttaranchal- India A local villager in Khadi Village, Chamba Uttaranchal- India recently conveyed to EA staff, "I like the Havel Vaani programmes because they are related to our local issues. We came to know about a lot of things through this radio. I remember a programme they broadcasted which was related to different diseases of cattle, I liked the programme because we got a good amount of knowledge of saving our cattle from that programme which was done for the first time. Many of the villagers benefited from that information. I greatly appreciate the center for their activities."
Helping out around the house- Nepal One male listener in Nepal explained that after hearing an episode of Changing Our Worlds that dealt with the stigma around men and household work, he started to help his wife with the daily chores. With more spare time, his wife is happier and so is he. He has encouraged his friends to do the same.
A surprising new role model- Cambodia In Kratie village, in Cambodia, our NGO partner was aware of a husband who beat his wife continually. We decided with them to ask this particular woman to be the community facilitator for the listening and discussion group around the satellite radio. With community members gathering at their house to listen to The Future Is in Your Hands, the husband became involved in the discussion group. Trying to be a community role model, he had stopped his domestic violence.
Satellite Broadcast Launch Seen as "Our Deliverance"- India "I think I will have to distribute sweets at the satellite broadcast launch.... We have been waiting to show the community (all of you) that the recordings we are doing will be broadcast and loved and will help the people live- and this is our deliverance.... And now we cannot eat, drink or sleep without Community Radio. It has become so much a part of our lives!!!" - woman in Uttaranchal, India