REFUGEES TRAINING REFUGEES

KYANGWALI, MAY 2025 - Dedi Isaac, a refugee from South Sudan and one of the first crew members of the REF FM station in the Bidibidi refugee camp in Uganda (and therefore already quite skilled in radio) has been teaching the crew of the REF FM station in Kyangwali refugee camp in Uganda (more than 1.5 days away by bus) for a few weeks. It was the first time that a crew member of one REF FM station trains the crew of another REF FM station. The first but certainly not the last time. Refugees train refugees: the power of refugees! From Isaac’s report about his training: ‘This training was carried out to support the REF FM Kyangwali crew in improving their on-air performance, understanding the radio format, playlist management & beds, simple production techniques, using studio equipment well, and increasing listener engagement. We also looked at ways to grow station revenue through sales. ‘ 

Isaac’s recommendations are clear and urgent. To mention just a few: The station manager needs extra support since he is overloaded with work. (‘The manager is handling too much -sales, admin, content, and meetings. This workload is too heavy for one person and may affect station growth.’) The crew needs transport money to be able to collect more news from the communities within and outside the refugee camp. (‘Local content is what makes REF FM special and unique.’) And the station urgently needs a program manager. (‘The station needs a full-time PM who focuses only on improving show quality. This role is very key, just like the one I play in Bidibidi FM.’)

Staton manager Moses is very enthusiastic about the training by Isaac: ‘It has been engaging for the team and participation was effective amongst all the crew members. It will improve on the programs’