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Using local radio and mobile phones to empower communities in Tanzania

by | Sep 1, 2019 | Blogs


Photos: Media for Community Empowerment

According to WHO/UNICEF, only 57% of Tanzania’s 57 million population have access to basic water services, while only 25% have access to safely managed sanitation. In rural communities, water shortages are acute. This forces people – particularly women – to spend a significant amount of time traveling long distances in search of water.

These journeys can be life-threatening. In Korogwe district, for example, we heard several stories of people being crippled or killed by crocodiles when collecting water from unprotected rivers, while outbreaks of disease such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid are common.

What do we do?

Media for Community Empowerment (MECE) believe local radio can play a key role in improving rural governance and water availability. From 22-26 July, we aired a one-minute advert on Morogoro’s Planet FM Radio that requested residents to text or call a special number regarding water shortages in their village.

After running the advert for one week, we received 215 text messages. After removing messages that did not convincingly demonstrate evidence of a chronic water crisis, we identified 173 messages that indicated the need to improve water governance. Though the crisis disproportionately affects women, we found that men were equally dissatisfied with water services in their village. Of the 173 texts, 87 came from men while 80 came from women (six people did not specific their gender). Here are some examples of the messages we received:

  • “We are experiencing a water crisis as we only have one water well that does not satisfy the needs of all the villagers. We request the government to provide us with water services.” – Lugono village, Mlali ward.
  • “Water is a serious crisis in our area. We have taps but the water is very salty. We cannot even drink – it’s chronic suffering. Well-water is sold for 300 shillings per 20 litres. We do not even know where it comes from or if it is safe and hygienic. Government to assist us.” – Mkambarani village, Mkundi ward.
  • “We have a water crisis here – the crisis is chronic. We fetch water 20-30 kilometres from here. We also buy 20 litres for 500 shillings. Our Ward Councilor promised to drill water wells but there are none to date.” – Makole village, Dakawa ward.

After contacting respondents to ask if they would be happy to host us, our journalists visited multiple villages to conduct interviews. We then used these interviews to launch Sauti Yangu (“My Voice”) – a radio program broadcast on local stations.

The program has a consistent format. We start by accompanying a villager on their journey to collect water to give listeners a sense of just how long it can take. We ask questions along the way before returning to the village to ask family members how the water crisis affects them. We then hold a discussion between three or four men and women from the same village. They explain the challenges of living without water, who they think is responsible and the government’s effort to fix the situation. For balance, we include a one-to-one interview with the village chairperson or village executive officer.

Media for Community Empowerment

As well as broadcasting the interviews on local radio stations, we shared citizens’ concerns with local governments so they could escalate the matter with central government. We also met with Jumaa Hamidu Aweso, Tanzania’s deputy water minister, who responded positively to our work. We are awaiting the ministry’s action.

What did we learn?

  • After receiving a large number of text messages, we realised that citizens are aware of their right to water.
  • Many citizens have insufficient access to safe, affordable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and rely on unsafe water supplies that endanger their health.
  • Some local leaders are indifferent to their communities’ access to safe water services.

What will we do next?

We aim to create a training scheme for young journalists that enables them to become conscious agents for community development and transformational change.

After initially focusing on Morogoro and Tanga, we will broadcast ten further episodes from other regions such as Mtwara, Arusha, Dodoma and Mara. We plan to record more programs in the future. We believe that My Voice’s unique approach has the power to amplify the voices of rural citizens and hold the government accountable for solving the water crisis.

To learn more about Media for Community Empowerment’s work, visit their Facebook, Instagram, or contact them on [email protected]