Unesco boost rural communication,Launch the first community radio in Ololosokwan

Communication, Science and Technology minister Prof Makame Mbarawa (L) demonstrates live broadcasting through a community radio, Loliondo FM, soon after launching it at Ololosokwani village in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region, at the weekend. 

Airtel Tanzania in partnership with UNESCO has unveiled a community programme that will enrich communities living in the rural areas of Tanzania.

The partnership was demonstrated during the launch of the Community radio at Ololosokwani village in Ngorongoro, Arusha.

Besides Airtel and UNESCO, other partners in Ololosokwani Community Radio include Oxfam who funded and facilitated the premises as well as RAMAT, a local NGO which will manage and run the projects in Ololosokwani.

Speaking during the project launch, the Minister for Communication Science and Technology Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa said: “I would like to extend my gratitude to Airtel, UNESCO, Oxfam and RAMAT for their tremendous contribution and tireless efforts towards communication development, through the establishment of a Community radio and Multimedia centre at Ololosokwani.

I am confident that the radio project will connect most of the rural areas to the rest of the world and facilitate them with radio communication.”

The community in Ololosokwani and neighbouring villages will have access to information relating to business, social, political and cultural developments that will eventually have a positive impact on their lives.

Speaking on behalf of Airtel, The Communications and Regulatory Affairs Director, Beatrice Singano Mallya said: “Airtel is proud to be part of the community transformation and we want to deliver positive impact to rural communities that we work with through extension of our network coverage and partnerships that empower.

She added: “We also believe our products and services available at Ololosokwan such as Airtel money service will facilitate the Maasai community with basic financial services including bill payment and deposit of their funds in a most secured manner.”

Apart from radio programme, Airtel in partnership with UNESCO has also facilitated internet access through Multimedia Centre whose launch coincided with the Community radio launch. The mobile service also provided education books to EMANYATA Secondary School.

For his part UNESCO representative Ali-amin Yusuph said: “UNESCO is pleased to see radio community programme expand to reach more people in the rural part of the country. With support from Airtel and Oxfam we are glad to see people of Loliondo connected to other parts of the country and the world.

The programme will not only serve the people in Ololosokwan village but also the 14 neighbouring villages.

Airtel, UNESCO Community radio project is focused on marginalised communities issues such as witchcraft, high rate of HIV/AIDS transmission, women circumcision, illiteracy, child education (the girl’s child not taken to school), while the main aim is to enhance communication in rural parts of the country. The plan is to have community radio in Sengerema Mwanza, Karagwe Kagera, Chake Chake Pemba, Makunduchi Unguja, Pangani Tanga, Kyela Mbeya and Kalama Shinyanga.