The following article from the Ndola daily, The Times of Zambia, was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200702170112.html . The radio drama discussed is in the chiTonga language. (It also raises the question about how many radio plays are written in African languages elsewhere, whether for education or entertainment or both.)... Don
Zambia: Gama Cuulu - Radio Drama With Aids Message The Times of Zambia (Ndola) http://www.times.co.zm/ February 17, 2007 Posted to the web February 17, 2007 Charity Moonga Ndola THE recent launch of "Gama Cuulu", a radio serial drama in Southern Province is no doubt a positive score in addressing Zambia 's plight in trying to address the problem For many years now of HIV/AIDS and other social ills like child abuse that have continued to ravage not only Zambia but many other countries of the world. So many measures have been laid on the ground including heightened sensitisation on these issues and there seems to be hope at the end of the tunnel. The Southern Province of Zambia is among the most hit areas when it comes to HIV/AIDS and social ills like child defilement and rape. In trying to fight HIV/AIDS and other social ills in Zambia, it is difficult to underestimate the commitment that the United States of America (USA) government and its people have played. The US government and its people have assisted in the fight against HIV/AIDS through many projects distributed within the country and aimed at lessening deaths resulting from the disease. The US government and its people have contibuted both financially and materially to assist the in the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia . The latest effort by the USA in assisting Zambia especially the people of Southern Province is the establishment of "Gama Cuulu", a radio serial drama. Gama Cuulu, which has become a household name in Southern Province, is a radio serial drama which is managed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is funded by the American people through the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). 'Gama Cuulu, Amba Ncoobona", interpreted as Straight to the Point, Say it as You heard it, a radio drama is part of the modeling and reinforcement to combat HIV/AIDS project and is implemented in partnership with Media Solutions. The serial drama revolves around six main characters who face hurdles as they strive to practice healthy behaviour. It is already a favourite in all corners of Southern Province broadcasting on four radio stations namely Sky FM, Mazabuka Radio, Mosi-Otunya Radio and Chikuni Radio in Southern Province. Project manager, Brian Moonga, said the radio programme encourages listeners to talk more openly about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. He said It encourages listeners to adopt safer behaviours and use HIV related services, including HIV testing, sexual abuse and Sexually Transmitted illnesses (STI) services. Mr Moonga saids that, apart from modeling behaviour change, the serial drama stories encourage people to talk more openly (say it as you heard it) about the issues raised in the drama. "This assists the listeners to share more accurate information and talk about social norms to support behaviour change in the community," He said. Gama Cuulu was developed, written and acted and produced by Zambians in the local language chiTonga specifically for Southern Province audiences, making it's accessibility and power of its message profound. Similar projects are also being implemented in Botswana and Ghana . The story in Gama Cuulu revolves around a mix of characters who act as community members in Southern Province. These are farmers, housewives, students and village elders. Mr Moonga said that each character in the radio drama models the transition from an unsafe to a safe behaviour over time and in the course of time they show people how to change and encourage them to change. Gama Cuulu was launched on October 20, last year by the United States Global Aids Coordinator, Mark Dybul. The project office is located in Livingstone and is funded by PEPFAR under the United States ' Center for Disease Control programmes. At the launch Ambassador Dybul lauded the Zambian people for the commitment they had continued to show in reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Zambia . "I am so impressed with the talent and dedication of the Zambian people in fighting HIV/AIDS. I wish to thank the people of Zambia and their Government for the struggle against HIV/AIDS," Mr Dybul said. The radio serial drama uses radio programmes as a channel of communication to provide information on HIV/AIDS to the people, both in rural and urban areas. Mr Dybul called on Zambians to work towards preventing HIV/AIDS in the first place as a way of fighting the pandemic. "We need to work towards preventing HIV/AIDS because that is the only way to completely stop the pandemic. Once there are no new infections we will be assured that we have won the fight against the disease," Mr Dybul said. Embracing abstinence He said Zambians must also embrace abstinence and use condoms correctly to assist reduce the HIV/AIDS incidences. Ambassador Dybul said so far over US$570 million had been given to Zambia by the US government under the Presidential Emergency Plan (PEPFAR) to assist the Zambian Government and its people fight HIV/AIDS. "What matters now is for all of us to work together. Zambia and America must partner in programmes aimed at fighting HIV/Aids," Mr Dybul said. He also said the United States of America will give Zambia $1.6 million and a further $570m to be released up to the year 2008 as collaboration with the Zambian Government in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Ambassador Dybul commended the Zambian people for the commitment they had exhibited in their efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS. "The radio drama is good but abstinence, faithfulness to one sexual partner and correct use of condoms will also go a long way in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS," he said. At the same function, American Ambassador to Zambia, Carmen Martinez, said the US government would always be committed to partnering with the Zambian people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. There was need to provide communities with role models who practiced healthy behaviours for the prevention of future HIV/AIDS infections. Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe, commended the American Government for working with the Zambian Government in fighting HIV/AIDS. He assured that the Government would do everything possible to ensure that funds released for projects are used for the intended purposes. "Poverty reduction and HIV/AIDS reduction are key to economic growth," Mr Hakayobe said. Centre for Disease Control director, Dr Mark Bulterys, said Gama Cuulu will have a direct impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS as the programme provides information to the people in the language they understand. Ms Martinez echoed Mr Dybul's sentiments and says the newly launched Gama Cuulu radio serial drama will help to prevent HIV/AIDS in Zambia. "During my official visits to Livingstone, I have been impressed by the dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS that is evident in the people that I met," Ms Martinez said. She quotes a Chinese proverb that says, "Many hands make light work" and commends the efforts of the clinical workers, ministry officials, other health workers and cooperating partners who have enabled progress to be made towards a Zambia free of HIV/AIDS. Ms Martinez said that Gama Cuulu radio serial drama will make it possible to not only keep people abreast of current affairs but also to provide educational programmes to a wide audience. The radio programme uses its entertainment aspect to provide information to a wide network of people. Gama Cuulu also provides information to the people that is culturally appropriate and timely, and it addresses not only the HIV/AIDS information but also it addresses current issues in society like gender violence, child defilement and rape cases. The radio serial drama programme goes a long way in allowing rural areas to be actively involved and participate in community level activities to address community health issues. Ms Martinez said Gama Cuulu will provide information on HIV/AIDS to the people. "Through surveys and interviews, we have learned that, while the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS is very high, there often appears to be a gap between this knowledge and behaviour," Ms Martinez said. She said one approach that could close the gap and assist to change behaviour in order to prevent future HIV infections was to provide communities with role models who practice healthy behaviours. She said this kind of education, through long-running radio serial dramas like Gama Cuulu, can provide these appropriate role models. Mr Moonga says that Gama Cuulu, which has been developed locally in Livingstone, with technical and financial support from the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief otherwise known as "PEPFAR" through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention will go a long way in addressing the many problems affecting the society. He said the serial drama resonates with listeners, as it has been developed locally and is being produced by local artists in the local language. The priorities of the project are among others to modify initiation ceremony teachings to assist girls to identify sexual and physical abuse. Communities will also be encouraged to practice non-sexual cleansing and take social and economic responsibility for widows and children without sex or marriage. People will also be encouraged to seek and adhere to treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) and Anti-Retroviral drugs and live positively. This means the drama will seek to encourage people to reduce alcohol consumption, eat nutritious foods, disclose their status and use condoms. The drama is also stressing the importance of partners being faithful to each other in knowledge of HIV status of both partners. "The radio drama also encourages members of communities to report sexual abuse of a minor and assist to get medical treatment and justice," Mr Moonga says. Bahavioural priorities also focus on reducing alcohol consumption to avoid risky sexual behaviour. The pace has since been set. The American government has played its part. It is now up to individual Zambians to take up the challenge and learn to reduce the HIV/AIDS disease burden by choosing life and letting others live too. No doubt, Gama Cuulu, the serial drama which has already become a household name in Southern Province will go a long way in providing models which will help shape many lives in Zambia for the development of the country. Copyright © 2007 The Times of Zambia. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 70069, Ndola, Zambia 260 2 61-28-65, or 260 2 62-13-05 [EMAIL PROTECTED] **************************** Disclaimer ****************************** Copyright: In accordance with Title 17, United States Code Section 107, this material is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material posted to this list for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Content: The sender does not vouch for the veracity nor the accuracy of the contents of this message, which are the sole responsibility of the copyright owner. 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