Freetown - Sierra Leone

Education through "Culture Radio"

The project “Culture Radio” was developed by the non-profit organization „Shelter for Africa”, to counteract the state of emergency in education in Sierra Leone. HelpAlliance supports the organization by assisting in the installation of the broadcast station.

Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries of the world, is to this day marked by ten years of civil war. 85 percent of the population are illiterate. Without education people — especially women, children and adolescents — have only a slim chance and limited opportunities to live a dignified life.
“Culture Radio” targets specifically these underprivileged groups with its program. Additionally, it is for all inhabitants of Sierra Leone who have not had the chance to receive even a basic formal education due to their living circumstances.

The program focuses on two main areas:
- to gain literacy through radio (distance) learning courses
- to raise awareness through education

During fixed airtimes, a teacher holds classes in the radio studio and imparts knowledge on different levels. Skills are taught starting at school entry level and built up lesson after lesson.

Furthermore, contact points which are each supervised by a so-called „community teacher” will be set up at three different locations in Freetown. Everyone interested in improving their education has the possibility to learn under supervision in a school-like atmosphere. In addition, the community teacher functions as an „ambassador“ to the whole concept; he/she gives information about the idea behind the project and motivates people to participate.

The second important area of the radio station deals with raising awareness and therefore broadcasts programs covering health topics such as Aids or Malaria. It also discusses socially relevant themes such as female genital mutilation, which are mostly declared a taboo because of ignorance. Education and information will hopefully help the people of Sierra Leone live a more independent life.

More pictures to be found here