'On Air' in Kompian and Tekin

In Kompiam, Enga Province

In 2004 BUPNG installed a community radio service (CR) in Tekin, Sandaun Province and then in  Kompian in Enga Province after securing  over K750,000 in funding from AusAid, Canada Fund,  the Baptist World Aid Australia and other smaller donors. The CR program was implemented to address numerous concerns in these communities and a strong desire to raise their living standards. 

Today this successful program continues to grow as we develop it. The main barriers to further development are access to quality technology (equipment etc) and human resources (trained staff), but community radio is an important resource for remote communities and has much benefit as we are noticing. 

The isolation of remote communities throughout the Telefomin and Tekin sub-districts and Kompian is due to a combination of factors, geographical remoteness, mountainous terrain, few and dilapidated roads and limited access to transport combined with high levels of illiteracy. The isolation results in limited learning and awareness of local community issues, limited opportunities for community development, improvements in living standards and literacy skills and limited youth employment opportunities. 

Solar panels which power the radio station in Tekin, Sandaun Province

Community-owned radio, using indigenous languages, is a powerful means to empower people in these groups so they can make valued contributions to their communities and society in general and thus gain recognition for the important roles they play in community life.

Community radio stations serve a number of key purposes in education and community development programs undertaken in remote areas and in poor and marginalised communities.  BUPNG is establishing a ‘network’ of community radio (CR) stations in a number of districts to enhance its ability to provide education in basic human needs (health, hygiene, health care, water & sanitation) and in poverty alleviation and to assist in community development of the people living in various communities. 

We have the potential to reach over 70,000 people in local provinces with our CRS signal and are looking to develop our reach to nearly 100,000. This is made possible by today’s technology with small portable low-cost radios available. These are power by solar and can reduce cost to locals.

Already we share with listeners daily community awareness announcements such as local gov’t plans and info on adult education and weekly services are delivered by Radio Australia which excites our young children in schools. We also notice the spread of information much faster as communities share the broadcasted information. A daily news bulletin is one of our next aims!

So what’s next? Well, we continue to share awareness of the service to inform more communities, we are developing proper management structures for the radio service business, we are training local people to run and manage the radio station whether as technical assistants or developing the next national radio announcer and we are implementing a radio program schedule to offer a variety of consistent radio programs. 

Me (Hilda) in the Radio Room at Kompian, Enga Province

Not only do we receive much appreciated funding but we also a lucky to work with talented experts who help train and develop such services properly.  Ron Ehrke of Alpha Broadcast Services International (ABSI) in Adelaide, South Australia and Sebestine Karang  from Lae have been supporting in planning and installation of the  equipment and facilities for the radio station and help  train local people selected from the community to manage and operate the radio station.

Communities are responsible for raising funds to sustain their CR stations but this is difficult in what are, essentially, poor communities. As a result, ‘local’ funding can only assist CR stations to be sustainable, but not to improve or develop . We will work further to secure funding to improve these areas whilst empowering local communities to develop a sustainable community radio service. 

Please pray for us as we seek guidance to deliver this service and If you are interested in supporting this initiative by donating to BUPNG please contact me. 

Hilda Kalan, Community Radio Service Coordinator, BUPNG