Voices from the field Harena is a 16-year-old girl from
DJ to replay the programme that
Fenerive-Est and one of the approx-
Harena had listened to. After hear-
imately 10,000 young people who
ing the show and its testimonials
regularly listen to the JRC radio
from other youth on the impor-
broadcasts in the district. After
tance of testing, the young man
listening to a programme on the
was convinced. The next day the
importance of testing for sexually
two went to their local health
transmitted infections, she tried
centre, and they have encouraged
to convince her boyfriend to get
their friends to do the same. Today,
tested. Intrigued but not convinced,
Harena and her boyfriend tell us
Harena’s boyfriend went to the
that they listen to their local JRC
local radio station and asked the
programme every week for inspiration, information, and guidance.
the JRC has collectively produced an impressive
The value of RR in Madagascar
8,400 programmes. While UNICEF support has
The major portion of the funds used to support Junior
played an important role in the initiative’s effective-
Reporters Club activities comes from unrestricted
ness, the success of the JRC is rooted in the commit-
Regular Resources. In this way, UNICEF and its part-
ment and active engagement of a network of qualified
ners have been able to support Malagasy youth in
‘volunteer coaches’ and partner radio stations that
becoming agents of positive social change, allowing
broadcast the shows each week. They provide profes-
them to confidently deliberate on the challenges
sional and technical support to their respective JRC
facing them, and to identify strategies to more effec-
chapters in exchange for periodic advanced training
tively pursue their own goals and dreams. A shortage
from UNICEF and its partners.
of donor resources, however, has limited the reach of the initiative, curtailing its full potential in terms of youth participation, expression, and engagement. For this reason, RR funding has been and will continue to be a critical lifeline for the initiative.
REPORT ON REGULAR RESOURCES 2010
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