Waves of Hope

: Broadcasting an educational programme to remote Ladakhi villages

Villagers living in remote, high areas of Ladakh have few possessions. Often one of the most precious is the transistor radio, which in many homes takes pride of place next to the shrine. During the long winter months, when villages are cut off by snow and people hardly leave their homes, the radio offers a lifeline to the wider world, keeping them informed of issues that affect their lives.

In 2005 Karuna agreed a grant to an organization called the Students’ Education Committee of Ladakh (SECMOL) to establish a small media unit based in Leh. Its aim was to make a series of radio and television programmes that would raise awareness of issues affecting children in remote areas, and help to improve the quality of education in village schools.

Disket Spaldon, manager of the media unit, organised the production of more than 120 radio programmes. ‘The idea was to encourage local communities to take education seriously. In many Ladakh villages the schools are very poor and parents do not understand the importance of education. So we tried to make the programmes entertaining – with dramas and music, so that people would tune in regularly.’

Over three years the media unit made and broadcast more than 120 programmes on a broad range of subjects: such as advice for teachers, career guidance for young people, encouragement to parents to keep their daughters in school, and information about Government grants to help repair school buildings damaged by heavy snowfall.

‘The programmes had an amazing effect. After the broadcasts village people would get together to talk to local politicians about how to get the schools working properly.’

The programmes, entitled ‘Education – A Ray of Hope’, established a loyal following and eventually became so popular that the Government education authority began broadcasting a similar radio programme with Secmol’s assistance. Disket Spaldon is delighted to have been involved in this project. ‘We had a lot of feedback from people in remote areas who really appreciated what we have done. There are many stories of places where people have made lasting improvements to local schools. It’s very satisfying to feel you’ve made a difference.’

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