THE UKEREWE YOUNG REPORTERS

2018

By Standing Voice

August 15^th, 2018

Hailing from an island in the heart of Lake Victoria, Ukerewe’s Young Reporters are the voices of Tanzania’s tomorrow: ambassadors of their generation and broadcasters of change. Established by Standing Voice in 2016, the group includes 11 young people—with and without albinism, between the ages of 15 to 25—using radio broadcasts to document the stories of their community. The Young Reporters meet weekly to train and record material, and travel regularly to mainland Mwanza, where they collaborate with the Mwanza Youth and Children’s Network to share their content with a regional network audience of thousands. For participants, the group has become a route to professional empowerment, and an opportunity to catalyse stronger advocacy around albinism in Tanzania.

This year’s Summer Skills Workshop afforded an opportunity for Ukerewe’s Young Reporters to congregate once more, and to expand their skill sets under the experienced guidance of local radio presenter and group facilitator Morange John. The reporters continued to study foundational topics of media—ethics and consent, audio debate, storytelling, news, and on-location reporting—and developed their dexterity in the use of specialist radio equipment.

Over one week, the Young Reporters also honed their documentary skills as a beautiful synergy and space of collaboration opened up between all workshops. Interviewing participants in other groups, as well as Standing Voice Executive Director Harry Freeland, the Young Reporters recorded the Summer Skills Workshop as it unfolded: material they will share in public broadcasts across the Tanzanian Lake Zone in the months that lie ahead. By the end of the week, the group had completed a full audio documentary featuring government councillors and Standing Voice leaders.

“The Young Reporters grasped everything I taught them and developed a lot throughout the training. By the end, students were able to conduct interviews themselves, report professionally and prepare a complete radio show. I am excited for their future.” – Morange John

With a newly renovated suite at the Umoja Training Centre—courtesy of visiting artist Camille Walala and creative director Julia Jomaa, who injected the space with their trademark burst of colour—the Young Reporters now have a vibrant platform from which to launch their voices before the world.

Together, they have found a space on the airwaves to speak back to a society that seeks to exclude their presence. With your continued support, they will reach thousands of listeners, ensuring people with albinism are seen—and heard—like never before.