Lao PDR

Village reporter Khamboun captures the drama

At sunset in Houay Jaek village, Xieng Khouang Province, a group of villagers are performing a role play about the importance of good hygiene. Recording their voices is 30-year old Khamboun, a fellow villager and volunteer with the local Khoun Community Radio station.

Khoun Radio was founded in 2007, with support from UNDP, and is the first community run station in Lao PDR. Village volunteers are involved in every aspect of production, from programme concept to scripts and editing. Another unique feature of the radio station is that it broadcasts in 3 ethnic languages, Lao, Khmu and Hmong.

Speaking at celebrations to mark the radio's third anniversary in Mouang Khoun town, Dirk Wagener, UN Assistant Resident Representative and Head of Governance Unit, said, “The radio helps to increase the voice of the people so they can have access to information which is relevant to them, but also to express aspirations, concerns and to raise questions.”

In its three year existence the community volunteers have broadcast over 9,000 hours of programming, covering topics from vital sanitation and health information to farming techniques and tips on how to cook the famous Xieng Khouang noodles.

Vongsone Oudomsouk, the Khoun Radio Project Manager, said that, “The radio comes from the community, by the community and for the community. The idea of bringing volunteers to work in community radio is very important because all the information will come to the radio automatically.”

In a 2009 report the Khoun district health services highlighted the important changes that had occurred since the station went on air. They said there had been a decrease in the numbers of diarrhea-related illnesses, 60-70 percent more ethnic women were using health facilities when pregnant and 50 percent more women were bringing their children for vaccinations. This increase was particularly high amongst the Hmong community who used to refuse vaccinations.

On the back of the success of Khoun Radio the Ministry of Information and Culture has asked the UN for assistance in setting up two similar projects in Sekong. Volunteers from Khoun are now playing a leading role in the development of the new radio stations.