CABO DELGADO

Mozambique

Radio Sans Frontières: community building in a war-torn area

Radio Sans Frontières: community and peace building | Mozambique

In 2020, we received a project to help support the development of Radio Sans Frontières in the diocese of Pemba, Mozambique In this interview, Father Fonseca Kwiriwi, CP, explains how vital the funds are for the radio and its crucial role, especially in a period of crisis and conflict in their province of Cabo Delgado.

Could you tell us more about the human impact the project will have on the community?

Radio Sans Frontières is a radio station from the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique. The region has been ravaged by a war that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and caused the displacement of 730,000 people and about three deaths Supporting the radio means boosting communication in the area, as the radio offers training and information programs that contribute to human capital development.

How do you see the situation in your community once the project is implemented?

Implementing the project from beginning to end will have a significant impact on the province. It will allow us to reap positive results by changing behaviours and promoting citizen participation The spiritual and religious dimension of the project will be greater conversion to God

What can you tell us about the community where the project will take place?

The diocese of Pemba covers the entire province of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, with more than 350,000 Christians and a population of 2,600,000. bout 80% of the population lives in extreme poverty The extreme poverty in the diocese makes it challenging to build adequate parishes and chapels

Access to the Internet and television is limited, and in fact, they are only available in the city of Pemba and some district headquarters

Is there a specific story that you recall from these last years working at the radio?

Yes In more than three years of war, we reported testimonies from women who escaped from the terrorists One of them showed up in Pemba after a week of walking in the forests of Cabo Delgado with her baby on her lap. When she arrived in Pemba, tired and with her feet wounded, she was assisted by some solidarity people, and Caritas Pemba helped her with food kits, hygiene material and accommodation

Why do you think PSPF should continue to support these types of projects?

Because the radio carries out relevant pastoral, social and political action. The project benefits not only the diocese of Pemba and the province of Cabo Delgado but also the country, as the web radio is accessible to all and not limited to 102 1 FM waves Getting annual support allows for broader radio coverage as well as better training and maintenance of radio equipment. We are very grateful for the support we received so far.

Published on 15/06/21