Burkina Faso: Support for internally displaced populations and those living in insecure areas with Catholic radio programs
Given the very volatile situation of the Sahel region with the recent attacks, populations have been displaced within Burkina Faso fleeing the violence. The radio in this context, let alone with the added complexity of the pandemic, is already a life line allowing many to keep informed, receive spiritual and educational input and stay connected. The Catholic radios here play an important role helping to support many. The Catholic radios started to add micro programmes which include informing about important hygiene measures. To help school children, and parents, they are broadcasting quiz zes and some programmes to help the ones who are finishing school and need to prepare for future exams. Abbé Balma, Coordinator of the Catholic radios network in Burkina wrote to us from Ouagadougou that their educational programming is not changing but just more needed as due to the pandemic and insecurity more people are accessing on air
classes “The new situation does not change the project or its budget.
1. The French, History and Geography and English classes, are already part of the radio’s programme schedule under the heading: “Une école, une éducation” which is broadcast every S unday from 1.30 p.m. after the national radio news until 2 p.m. The same goes for catechesis, which is broa dcast every Thursday from 11:05 to 11:30. The “radio game” which completes the catechesis is broadcast every Saturday from 3.05 to 3.40 pm. Not all of these programs are new. On the other hand, they are experiencing a new interest and a new reorientation because of the situation due to insecurity and the Coronavirus.
2. We have not included Catholic education in the programmes of the national radio. Some programmes initiated by Radio Ave Maria, (in collaboration wi th the diocesan directorate of Catholic education in Ouagadougou) which is a member of the RCB network are taken up by us when they are of interest to the national level.
3. During all these broadcasts, we plan to do microprograms on Coronavirus: Recommendations to avoid contracting the disease (hand washing, personal hygiene, social distancing staying at home)
Advice on what to do if you really catch it: signs, alkaline foods that are above the pH level above the virus ( cabbage, avocado garlic, mangoes).
Things that people have to buy in advance: kleenex, masks, honey and lemon, etc… These are all little messages that we prepare and broadcast daily on our airwaves. For IDPs: Peace, tolerance, acceptance of others and their differences… Reception, solidarity, sharing, a spirit of initiative to help those who have left everything behind, the integration of the skills of displac ed persons so that they can carry out their work and earn a dignified living, etc.
