Tunza Kwa Faida

 

In 2012 we completed the pilot phase of our radio programmes 'Tunza Kwa Faida' (Benefits for all), which now forms one of the key elements of our Collaborative Solutions Communication Platform.

 

The concept for the programmes were originally presented to a variety of scientists, local villagers, conservation students and non-governmental organisations, with encouraging feedback. After initial discussions, a feasibility study was conducted, using focus groups and questionnaires in three villages in Tanzania during April/May of 2010. Four to five people were invited to discuss potential topics for the radio programmes that would benefit them.  Both groups and individuals were quizzed about their radio listening habits. Our fact-finding mission produced some interesting ideas and insights, with which we fine tuned our project.

 

 

Since then, four pilot episodes of 'Tunza Kwa Faida' were aired on the national radio station TBC FM. For four consectutive Saturdays at 3pm we discussed conservation problems and existing successful solutions in a high quality, magazine style show. This allowed us to test the concept, content and audience engagement as well as our systems, processes and procedures.

 

Each week the programme featured interviews with local citizens who were involved in an ecologically sound, asset increasing activities, in Kiswahili. Listeners were able to find out how to start their own similar venture, including what they need to establish, how to overcome problems and the potential benefits they could receive as a result of adopting this activity. To validate this an independent expert also gave advice on the matter. These progammes aired to around nine million listeners across the majority of Tanzania.

 

One topic was discussed per programme, with a call to send in questions, problems and solutions by text message. This feedback was analysed and answered in the following week’s show. The incentive to participate was driven by the format of the programme, the repeat requests to send in a text message question or comment and the appeal of the content.

 

The audience was encouraged to start their own project, based on what they heard. Details were given about micro-finance agencies, so that listeners could 'kick start' their project with a loan. A small business training organisation was featured, so that listeners could receive text based tips on running a business if necessary.

 

Our audience wanted more information on the topic and called for solutions and opportunities for businesses, researchers and Non-Governmental Organisation or Government projects. For example, one listener asked, ‘How do I get Solar Power in Singida?’ whilst another asked ‘How can we get wind mills in Singida?’ and Justine Ngonde told us ‘Tell me more about fish farming’.

 

We wanted to go deeper into our listener’s opinions and comments regarding the programmes so we conducted a questionnaire. Overall our survey feedback was constructive. One of our listeners, a farmer from Tunduru, liked the content and style of the programme because it ‘involves many people in discussion and it is reflecting the current problem facing our community including my village. You can ask an expert in case something is not clear.’ Another audience member from Tunduru showed some behavioural changes when he told us ‘I am a rice farmer and have been sensitive in conservation of the environment for a long time and now I have courage to share my views after listening to your progamme.’ He also commented that ‘The government should make sure that good programs are supported instead of supporting programs that insist on music and love. Educate us because that is what people need.’ Additional feedback came from a sesame farmer from Mbeya who told us ‘Keep adding more and more content. Tell people in detail about environment conservation. Talk about natural resource conflicts, like what is happening in our area’.

 

You can watch a video of the making of 'Tunza Kwa Faida's pilot episodes here.

 

If you would like to listen to our programmes they are available on our website here.

 

You can see the feedback messages displayed on a map here.

 

 

Based on the positive feedback we received from our listener’s we are now ready to execute the programmes on a full time, long-term basis as partof our Collaborative Solutions Communication Platform. This will include broadcasts of an hour-long version of the 'Tunza Kwa Faida' programme once per week, in the evening, at peak listening time, with one repeat broadcast of the programme. This change to a longer show in peak time will allow us to resolve more of the issues that affect citizens and conservation in Tanzania. It will also ensure that each topic is explained fully and in-depth, with a repeat of contact information and more solutions. Additionally, we will also enable us to answer more of the feedback questions and produce a series of programmes for each topic concerned, which will guarantee complete understanding and uptake of solutions by the audiences. 

 

If you would like to sponsor our project please contact us.