Keep ORS-FM Maasai community radio on-air for all

Dear Friends,

Some mixed news from community station ORS FM this quarter. With the help of your donations, the radio station has been able to make some repairs to their transmitter, so they again able to transmit at their full licenced power of 2kW for most of the time, to reach the greatest number of people possible.

The bad news is that the power draw of the repaired equipment is higher than it was before, so the power system keeps shutting down. When we were there in January, we managed to do a temporary repair to the power system, so the radio is able to stay running, but really it needs a more comprehensive overhaul to keep delivering services to the Maasai-speaking communities of Northern Tanzania.

With discussions about a new constitution, and issues of Maasai land rights raising their heads again, clear understandable communication to the Maasai community is as important as it has ever been.

As ever, if you would like to share this project link with friends and family, please do so, so we can continue to support ORS FM in its community mission together.

Until the next time, best regards

Bernie

Hello supporters, friends, donors and donors-to-be., 

It has been an eventful few months since the last update, and operations continue to move at the ORS-FM radio station in Terat.

As mentioned in the last report, ORS-FM has played a key role in relaying important health information to rural Maasai communities. Progress has been made in this regard, as ORS-FM now has established a partnerships with two community health organisations. This has both enabled them to stay afloat financially, and also continue to relay important health information to the community. The station is also now working in partnership with UNICEF, creating community awareness on the Ebola outbreak. 

Whilst progress is being made, the radio station needs regular funding in order to continue producing high quality content, and pay staff wages. The value of this station cannot be understated, an is a cornerstone of the community in Terrat and the broader Simanjiro district. Your donations will enable this institution to continue to thrive and give a voice to the Maasai community in Tanzania. 

The station is still in desperate need of a new radio transmitter! The current one is very old, and significantly limits the coverage of the radio station for surrounding communities. The replacement of the transmitter will enable the station to continue to broadcasts vital information to over 1 million people in Tanzania. 

Thank you everyone who donated over the past few months- your support continues to make a real difference. As ever, please share this within your network and on social media in order to give this project the publicity it needs! 

All the best,

Iona