In May 2002, ALIN Eastern Africa (ALIN-EA) invited WOUGNET members to participate in a one day demonstration and training on the use of WorldSpace radio to access development information. Two WOUGNET members participated: Abundant Life For All Ministries (ALFA Ministries) and Lungujja Women's Association (LWA). This report is compiled from their reports to WOUGNET about the demonstration.

The demonstration was conducted at Isis-WICCE headquarters at Kamwokya, Kampala, on May 21, 2002, and started at 9:00am. It was facilitated by Noah Lusaka, Project Officer, ALIN-EA who came from Nairobi, Kenya. There were 12 participants of both gender [8 women and 4 men] who came from the following districts: Luweero, Iganga, Ssese, Kampala and Mpigi.

The training aimed at demonstrating to the participants a new information delivery technology developed by the World Space Corporation. The demonstration showed participants how a simple satellite radio can be used to disseminate information to a large number of people in different geographical locations for wider dissemination to local communities. Click here for an illustration depicting a typical setup.

The participants learned that the WorldSpace technology involves uses of 3 geo-stationary satellites launched over Africa, Asia and America in the year 1999. The satellite for Africa region is called AFRISTAR and has 3 beams. To access information special portable worldspace radio receivers are used to capture the worldspace digital signals. The radios have a special antenna that should be placed out doors where there are no obstructions like walls for a full signal and better reception.

The worldspace radios when connected to a computer help users to access web based information without having to use the usual method of accessing information from the Internet. The usual way would be via cable or dial up connections.

These are some of the uses of this radio:

1. It has an audio Channel called the African Learning Channel (ALC) which broadcasts developmental information e.g. about women, child care, HIV/AIDS, Micro-finance, environment etc.
2. It allows multimedia functionality tuned as Data Channels - these ones are connected to the computer via a Digital Data adapter card.
3. It has a facility for storing programs on tape recorder while they are being broadcast.
4. The radio is used to download information from selected websites but the user accesses this information without use of a telephone line or accessing the Internet.
5. There is a chance for organizations involved in community development to upload information to the worldspace systems.
6. The radio can access more than 60 channels broadcasted by international, regional and even local FM broadcasters.
7. It also allows conferencing and live broadcasting facilities.
8. The radio is used as a tool for distance learning for schools and colleges. For example the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) and Ethiopia Media Agency (EMA) have channels for broadcasting their educational programmes.

Advantages of using this technology:

1. The radio uses dry cells, car battery, solar as well as electricity to be powered thus convenient for all people.
2. The radio antenna withstands all adverse weather conditions rain, shine or heat.
3. FM stations can subscribe to the World Space Corporation and they can broadcast through this technology thus reach many areas previously not reachable.
4. If used only for downloading purposes and updating information (since this can be done only as per a certain schedule), the radio can be shared among other users. This is because development information can be useful even after a month. For example information on Micro-finance institutions, HIV/Aids, etc., is available. So while some people use it for downloading purposes, others can use it for broadcasting on a daily basis.
5. It can be used for entertainment and news from across the globe through the audio channels. There is also a channel for downloading more news and other forms of entertainment such as sports, streaming video, daily news etc. However, to access this channel, a subscription fee of 20 dollars is paid monthly.
6. The radio is relatively affordable at a cost of $130 plus the adapter card and software.

To be able to download web-based information one must have a Pentium II computer/laptop that has a CD Drive and a USB port for connecting the digital data adapter card to the radio. Click here for a picture showing a setup of the World Space radio connected to a laptop.

Benefits that NGOs can gain from using this technology:

1. Many NGOs can buy one radio and share it (which costs about $130). They contribute to buy one radio and use the radio to disseminate information to the communities they cannot readily reach on a roster basis.
2. Information can be uploaded through the WorldSpace system for free and this will make the outreach more practicable and far reaching.
3. Distance learning programmes can be effectively used to help reduce illiteracy among communities.
4. There is a possibility of translating already made information and disseminating it in the format possible to the targets without having to collect this data from the various sources.

In conclusion, both ALFA Ministries and Lungujja Women's Association agreed it is best to try this technology in order to speed up the process of information dissemination to the needy people. Download a copy of the ALFA Ministries workshop report (WORD document) that includes a proposal on how this technology could support the information needs within their community. Click here for pictures of LWA members at their computer (at the LWA office).

About ALIN Eastern Africa

ALIN Eastern Africa is a network of Community Development Workers (CDWs) who have an interest in drylands development. It supports CDWs by encouraging the exchange of ideas, information and their own experience on development work. With such exchanges, CDWs become more confident and effective in their work.

Network members are drawn from government departments, non-governmental organisations and Community Based Organisations. ALIN-EA activities are spread in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia with a membership of more than 1000 grassroot development workers. ALIN_EA's activities are classified under two broad themes;

1. Information support through publications such as Baobab, CD-ROMs, etc.
2. Capacity building in information sharing through the use of ICTs.

Currently, ALIN-EA is implementing an ICT project that involves creating awareness and training members on use of worldspace radios as an alternative to information delivery in the region. This project has enabled members who are not connected and live outside the urban centres to access appropriate information in a usable form. The use of digital satellite broadcasting in collaboration with WorldSpace Foundation, USA enables members to download web-based text and images from the satellite without the use of phone line! For more information, contact baobab@iconnect.co.ke.

Last update: May-30, 2002