USING CAMPUS COMMUNITY RADIO TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT

Many colleges and Universities have privately owned Radio stations that could easily be utilized to drive developmental efforts in Educating the students, staff and the community.

#mediaforeducation #voiceforchange

“The enormity of problems like hunger and social injustice can certainly motivate us to act. We can be convinced logically of the need for intervention and change. But it is the story of one individual that ultimately makes the difference—by offering living proof.”- John Capecci and Timothy Cage.

“One person can bring change to an entire community.”

I got an opportunity to go for an exchange program at Northwestern College in Minnesota, U.S.A. where I learnt of the existence of Campus Community Radios. I joined their radio, WVOE the remnant and hosted a show focusing on the experience of people in a foreign culture. The topics that I touched on included how to survive culture shock, embracing diversity and appreciating culture. When I returned to Daystar University, I became part of the Campus Radio station-Shine FM 103.1 and became the host of a youth empowerment show called 'Conscious Redemption'. I focused on topics like early pregnancy, drug abuse, abstinence, entrepreneurship, abortion, single parenting, poverty, crime and others. The show opened my eyes to the plight of young people and gave me an opportunity to make a difference by educating the community using real stories and experiences of people.

I went on to do my internship at Transworld Radio where I hosted a show called 'Africa Challenge' which focused on matters of health, environment and other social issues affecting Africa. I later joined Wholesome Television (WTV) where I produced a show, 'My day with you' which included spending a day with different low income professionals in the a Kenyan industry to learn of their day to day challenges and educate them on various opportunities available to them from the local government; and another show 'Beyond the Screen' that focused on development initiatives by our local celebrities. From this, an opportunity arose at an International Non- governmental organization-Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Africa which gave me an opportunity to travel internationally and impact the lives of refugees by recording their stories and noting down their persecution claims for possible resettlement in America after approval by an Immigration Officer. All this was made possible because of the first Campus Community Radio that made me realize that communication could definitely be used for development.

Campus Community Radios are an important driving force to development. It is however unfortunate that most Universities look at them as media training grounds other than opportunities to make a difference. They could be used to discuss matters of health, education, career, stress management, academic events and school leadership campaigns. They impact students with skills like leadership, verbal communication and problem solving. The students, who control its day to day activities, are important contributors in carrying out the process of spreading awareness which is an important function of any community radio. Participation in community Radio allows for nurturing young talent thus providing employment opportunities for students in the job market. Students are also able to discuss issues of national importance and become active in the change process of a country. Student businesses are easily promoted through free advertising and student leaders are able to call for meetings aimed at discussing issues affecting students like increase in fees and security concerns. Information about scholarship opportunities and internship opportunities are also available to students.

Through Campus Community Radio Stations, students are able to improve knowledge of solutions to community development problems including culture, rural development and education. Culture is easily promoted as various shows may focus on vernacular messaging for the benefit of surrounding poor communities. They also promote participatory communication as it enables the community members to be drivers of their own development through feedback and message acceptance. Complicated new research in various fields like agriculture, climate change, health and new laws from the local government are easily communicated by the students to the communities while creative voice overs and audio plays could be used to send messages.

From my Campus Radio- Shine FM at Daystar University, Athi River Campus, students would be informed about the Mavoko slums and would be called upon to give donations. We would then work together with the local chief to reach the most affected families and support them. Through the Community Radio, we would be informed about the surrounding schools that lacked enough teachers and students would volunteer to teach during their free time and donate writing materials to the children. Other students on work study who were not able to sit for their exams due to financial constraints were also able to get support through students’ contributions.

"Creating awareness on the important role that campus community radios play is a huge step towards development.”

Engaging students in developmental matters through campus community radios is somewhat easy because students have adequate time to volunteer their services. Most students embrace this chance of gaining experience as it comes in handy when seeking employment. Seeing also that most main campuses are in the outskirts of cities and thus surrounded by rural areas, impact of these radios on the neighboring communities is great since students could easily contribute towards development by educating on important matters, changing beliefs and creating awareness to the people on their rights.

In order for campus community radios to make a huge impact to the lives of students and surrounding communities, campaigns need to be carried out nationwide to create awareness on the significant role that they play to the communities and the nation at wide. Local government and willing organizations should finance universities to ensure that even those that do not offer communication courses like Daystar University still have campus community radios. World Bank could come in to assist in creating awareness or funding as development communication using various media is only possible with the active involvement of development agencies, voluntary organizations, concerned citizens and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Since Universities are homes to students from all over the country and even internationally, the chances of that one student impacting the world is great! “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead.