WOUGNET WorldSpace Satellite Radio Program (WSRP)

WOUGNET is piloting the use of WorldSpace satellite radio equipment among its members. The WOUGNET WorldSpace Satellite Radio Program (WSRP) was initiated in August 2002 with the ALFA Women's Groups, ALFA Ministries based in Mpigi District. The WorldSpace satellite radio broadcasting is developed by the WorldSpace Foundation, based in the USA. The Foundation's mission is to help improve the lives of disadvantaged persons in developing regions of the world by providing access to education and other information broadcast directly to radios from satellites.

In May 2002, Arid Lands Information Network 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), at the training that was hosted by Isis International Women's Cross-Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE). The training aimed at demonstrating to the participants a new information delivery technology developed by the WorldSpace 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. 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 (e.g., dialup, wireless or cable connections). Click here for a report on the WorldSpace radio training.

In July 2002, ALIN-EA and the WorldSpace Foundation conducted a training workshop for groups who have been using this technology and those who plan to use in the future. The purpose of the workshop was to enhance extension workers with skills on WorldSpace digital satellite broadcasting (DSB), to document and share experiences from focal groups, and to plan for content generation for dissemination through DSB. At this training WOUGNET was also provided with WorldSpace satellite radio equipment. WOUGNET has initiated the WSRP to make this equipment available to members. Visit the Photo Gallery for photos taken at ALFA Ministries.

In February 2004, UNESCO conducted a satellite distance learning course on telecentres in Africa. UNESCO is working with WorldSpace Corporation, the operator of the Afristar satellite for digital radio broadcasting in Africa, to demonstrate and test the potential of digital radio to deliver low budget, effective, multimedia based and real time distance education to rural learners in Africa. The project involves a short course in on Community Telecentre Development aimed at African telecentre staff, NGOs and decision makers working in the area of application of ICTs for development in Africa. WOUGNET was one of the five participating centers in Uganda.

In the 2003 report "Best Practices for the Integrated Drylands Development Programme for Uganda", one of the best practices highlighted is the Radio and Internet (RANET) Uganda Program which is implemented in rural communities in Uganda by the Department of Meteorology and partners who include World Vision, Action Aid and Africa 2000 Network. RANET program ensures that farmers in rural communities timely access and use climate information forecasts, and other development information on internet, by using WorldSpace satellite and receivers together with computers. Through Partnership approach, 10 RANET sites in subcouties have been established with World Vision, 10 RANET sites with Action Aid, and 4 sites with Africa 2000 Network. The National Coordinator, RANET Uganda, Milton Waiswa, is particularly interested in linking with other organisations that may be using the same techonology so that they can increase its potential use for the benefit of the rural communities. Click here for a copy of the Best Practices report (WORD format).

WOUGNET WorldSpace Satellite Radio Program (WSRP) Criteria

The WSRP involves a loan of the WorldSpace satellite radio equipment to WOUGNET members for periods of up to 3 months each. The basic criteria for participation in this program are:

Organisation is a WOUGNET member. Has a profile on the WOUGNET website and is subscribed to either the WOUGNET or WOUGNET Update Newsletter mailing lists.
Organisation's mission includes some of the following components: provides economic or social benefits to the community, promotes natural resource preservation or human rights, non-profit organisation.
Organisation has a computer.

WorldSpace Satellite Radio Program (WSRP) Process

Organisations that meet the basic criteria should apply for the WorldSpace Satellite Radio program using the WSRP Application Form. This form is used to determine eligibility for the program. Eligible organisations are then contacted with additional information about the program. One may also apply by email by sending the following information to techsupport@wougnet.org: indication of whether organisation is a WOUGNET member or not; organisation name, address, contact person; organisation's target audience and type of support provided; and a statement of need indicating how the organisation could benefit from participating in the program.

For more information about the WorldSpace Satellite Radio program, contact techsupport@wougnet.org.

WSRP Application Form

(You will be returned to this page on successful submission of the WSRP Application Form)

Last update: March-2, 2004