If you have been following the technology articles that I have written in past e-newsletters, you must have noticed that I appreciate both old technology and new technology. This article was inspired by a request that resulted from a meeting of peers at UCRMN concerning my use of simple technology for mission. They desired more information concerning how old technology is able to do modern mission. We discussed Farm Radio International, but it is just one of the charities that I support.
Firstly, Farm Radio International was initiated by George Atkins in the 1970’s after a visit to Africa. He was the CBC correspondent for agriculture at the time, but in the African context, he noticed that farming conditions were much different than in Canada. A seminar on tractors was useless, when one considered that there were very few tractors in Sierra Leone. He
decided to start a program dealing with agricultural issues and advice that was more suitable to the area’s context. This advice, through radio broadcast scripts, was delivered to African stations, so that local broadcasters could educate local farmers in their own language by their own peers. It has now developed into a system of training broadcasters and technology to facilitate two way contact between listener and broadcaster through a cellphone app called “Uliza”, which is Swahili for “ask”.
Their present focus is to use “nature based solutions” to combat climate change, so that farmers can deal with changing conditions, yet support their families and improve the soil and water. They also focus on issues of women’s equality, as women make up the largest proportion of farm labour. All of this is done through agreements with local radio stations. The results are amazing. Here is a link for further information, as it would take pages to illustrate the vastness of their efforts across Africa.
Secondly, one needs to consider if listeners are able to hear these broadcasts. Radios are very inexpensive, but still the cost of the radio, and of the batteries to power it can be a barrier. Therefore, I come to the next charity, namely “Lifeline Energy”. This group produces solar powered radios for individuals, communities, and classrooms, and distribute them free of charge. The classroom radio provides mp3 and CD capabilities, so that recorded lessons can augment those of the local teacher. The personal radios also contain solar powered lights, so that students can continue with their homework after dark in areas without electric power. Here is a link for further information.
https://www.lifelineenergy.org/about-lifeline-energy-us/
Lastly, we need to consider transportation. Farm products need to get to market in order for the farmer to make money. Thus, the final charity needed is “World Bicycle Relief”. This charity funds the distribution of bicycles to places like Africa. They have suppliers that have designed the “Buffalo Bike”, which is strong enough to endure the harsh conditions of rural roads and heavy loads, but are assembled in Africa by trained persons, male and female.
Now a dairy farmer can transport her cans of milk to the local dairy ooperative in less time than by foot. The milk does not sour, and the farmer gets more money for a better quality product. Moreover, the bicycle allows the faster collection of much need water for their family, and allows students to get to school on time. The bicycle is especially important, as young
women supply much of this labour, and they would lose out on their education if a faster mode of transportation was not possible, Here is the link for more information.
https://worldbicyclerelief.org/
Rev. W. Martin Dawson (retired)