USAID Community Radio Program Celebration
In February 2018, PMC-Zambia started implementing what would become a $4.2 million project in Zambia. That was when The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded PMC $2.6 million to develop and disseminate two radio shows designed to improve the health of women, children, and adolescents. In 2021, USAID extended its support for what had become two very popular and very impactful shows, Siñalamba (“Breaking the Barrier”) in the Lozi language and Kwishilya (“Over the Horizon”) in the Bemba language.
On December 2, 2022, PMC-Zambia held a project closeout event at Southern Sun Hotel in the capital city Lusaka. The event was graced by Dr. Makupe as Guest of Honour who represented the Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary Professor Kasonka.
USAID COMMUNITY RADIO PROGRAM NEWS COVERAGE
“Working in close collaboration and consultation with the Ministry’s Provincial and District Health Offices, USAID Community Radio Program provided a platform for health experts and communities to interact. This was done through paid for radio airtime made available to Ministry of Health staff for the dissemination of messaging on key health issues which proved highly beneficial in the project targeted areas. Additionally, this platform was available during the commemoration of National and International Health days such as World Contraceptive Day, Child Health Week, World Aids Day, and SADC Malaria Day to mention a few.”
Permanent Secretary Professor Kasonka
USAID was represented by Daniel Sinclair, the USAID-Zambia Health Office Director who said in part:
“Now, those numbers on listenership are impressive (referring to 1.5 million weekly listeners of the radio shows) in their own right, but I think it’s insightful to look even deeper into the impact of the program. The program recorded an increase in the number of individuals exposed to family planning messages from 62% in round 1 to 84% in round 2. Additionally, 63% of those in a union or married reported that they sought family planning services because they listened to the radio dramas. These results underscore the positive impacts that these radio dramas have had in communities throughout the nation.”
Daniel Sinclair, the USAID-Zambia Health Office Director
Present at the event were provincial health directors from Muchinga, Central, Northern, Luapula, and Western provinces, various districts of health directors, health promotions officers from the mentioned provinces and districts, other stakeholders, and the media.
Kwishilya (“Over the Horizon”) Theme Song
Sounds of Siñalamba
