Children’s voices hit the airwaves

A community radio programme in Kenya is giving children the chance to broadcast their opinions on the issues that affect them.

Sauti ya Watoto wa Kwale – the Kwale children’s community radio programme, supported by Plan – burst onto the airwaves of Pwani FM with its first broadcast on January 21. The first edition was put together by pupils from Mwananyamala primary school and featured poems, jokes and stories, written and presented to a high standard by the children themselves.

The programme focused on a child’s right to an education, and gave the participants a chance to give their perceptive and thought-provoking opinions on a subject which affects them. Using the local Kiswahili, Kidigo and Kiduruma languages, the children used metaphors, sayings and their own experiences to put across their points with a fresh outlook and a great sense of humour.

Children in the region are often marginalised, and their views not valued. The radio programme aims to break traditional cultural barriers and let children express themselves freely to the wider community, as well as giving them experience in researching, compiling and presenting a radio show.

‘It confirmed children have a big role in our community. I am confident they have what it takes to run a children’s community radio,’ said one of the teachers involved in the project.