Enter-Educate Approach
Result-Oriented

By Mohan K.C.

IN 1994, John Hopkins University/Public Communication Services (JHU/PCS) conducted a survey in Nepal and concluded that of all the mass media in Nepal, radio was the most powerful and had the broadest reach. Currently there are more than 2.1 million sets of radio in Nepal. A year later in 1995, JHU/PCS, in collaboration with HMG’s National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC), Finally Health Division, and National Health Training Centre, established the Radio Communication Project (RCP) and launched its pilot project in Dang district. Funding was provided by the USAID.

Focus

Nepal’s population is now 22 million and it is growing. With this fact in mind, RCP decided that its main focus must be to "enter-educate," that is, provide entertainment while imparting information, education health, and general health matters. To achieve this goal, RCP created two radio drama serials that are broadcast nationwide by Radio Nepal. The drama serial called "Cut Your Coat According to Your Cloth" (Ghaanti Heri Haad Nilaun) broadcast from radio Nepal every Saturday is aimed at people of reproductive age (between the ages of 20-35), adolescents (between ages of 10-19) and "community influencers." This drama serial’s purpose is to educate the audience about the importance of family planning and reproductive health, giving emphasis on the use of modern contraceptive methods to have a small, well-planned family. RCP has targeted the "community influencers" because they can play a vital role in advocating family planning.

RCP second programme is the Distance Education (DE) radio serial called "Service Brings Reward" (Sewa Gare Mewa Paaincha), and it is designed for a more specific audience — Health Workers consisting of Health Assistants (HA), Auxiliary Health Workers (AHW), Maternal and Child Health Workers (MCHW) and Village Health Workers (VHW).

The objective of this DE radio serial is to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the health workers regarding family planning, reproductive health and general health matters so that they will feel confident to provide more accurate information and quality service to the people. Vast areas of Nepal lack health facilities and personnel, and often the health workers are the only people who have any knowledge and training in medical and health matters. The health workers, therefore, are instrumental in convincing the people that they themselves will benefit most by practicing family planning. Half the battle is won if health workers are successful in removing the doubts and fears that Nepali people have about using contraceptive and their possible side effects. "Service Brings Reward" (Sewa Gare Mewa Paaincha) is broadcast every Tuesday from 2:10-2.30 p.m.

Each radio programme is based upon its own Design Document that was drawn up with the assistance of and suggestion from health professionals, health educators, national and international consultants, and HMG’s Ministry of Health and related departments. To make the programme even more effective, programme booklets, reference manuals, calendars, flip charts and other educational and information materials are distributed all over Nepal. Health workers receive their own special information packet. Both radio serials also contain an interactive segment, an indispensable and most effective component of the "enter-educate" approach. Listeners are encouraged to answer right away as the announcer pauses during the broadcast, or the audience members are requested to send their answers by post. "Super Quiz" segments are also aired and prizes are regularly awarded to the most outstanding responses. Thus, RCP’s "enter-educate" approach ensures that its listeners are not just passive receptors but are in fact actual participants in RCP’s radio programme.

There are several indications that these two radio programmes of RCP are beginning to achieve their goals. In simple chronological terms, the Radio Communication Project is now in its fifth year. As mentioned earlier, RCP’s pilot programme was started in 1995 and covered only one single district of Dang. On 14 March, 2000, RCP will enter its 4th Phase, and six districts will be covered for monitoring and research purposes. Those districts are: Kailali, Chitwan, Dhankuta, Sunsari, Bardia, and Kapilvastu.

It is said that everyday, letters pour into the Kathmandu headquarters of RCP at JHU/PCS. Listeners send their poems, questions, suggestions, critiques — and words of praise — regarding the characters and plot developments of both of the radio programmes, and most important of all, how these stories have affected them personally. For example, Pabitra Devi Neupane, age 37 of Kanchichap, Ward No. 9 Palpa once wrote:

"I find this programme [‘Cut Your Coat According to Your Cloth’ (Ghaanti Heri Haad Nilaun) very informative. It is as if this programme is educating us illiterate villagers. When I listen to the voices of Naksule Pandit, Kahila Mijar, Firfire, Lakshmi and Beli and many others, I feel as if I’m in my own village. I actually had permanent sterilisation surgery after listening to this programme. Before I used to be scared of family planning and using contraceptives, but not any more. The programme has transformed my soul."

When correspondents like Pabitra Devi Neupane and other loyal listeners, including health workers, wrote and suggested that segments on Counseling and Adolescent Health be also incorporated in the radio programme, it was quickly done — a concrete proof that audience members of "enter-educate" radio programme are indeed participants who can shape the content of the serials.

Endorsements from prestigious institutions like Nepal Medical Association, Society of Environmental Journalists, Family Planning Association of Nepal, Tribhuvan University, Association of District Development Committees and Women Communicators Forum, to name only a few, are yet another indication that the RCP is beginning to achieve its goal to "enter-educate" the Nepali people.

Many regard JHU/PCS as one of the leading agencies in Nepal in the field of information education and communication, as implemented by RCP. Yet much remains to be done and there are serious challenges to overcome. Increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is a must if fertility rate to be lowered, and thus lower the explosive population growth. There is still a yawning gulf between the knowledge of contraceptives and their actual use. Even when contraceptives are used, they are not used consistently or properly to have the desired goal of reducing family size. But there is a silver lining in the dark cloud. For example, studies indicate that demand for contraceptives has increased substantially, and non-governmental organisations were able to fulfill this demand despite their best efforts. (Contraceptives need increased from 28 per cent in 1991 to 31 per cent in 1996.) In 1991, the rate of contraceptive use was 24 per cent, but in 1996, it was nearly 30 per cent.

To overcome existing ignorance and ineptitude, the Fourth Phase of RCP will emphasise on linking with service delivery outlets both at the district and the national levels, mobilising communities through Community Based Organisations, NGOs, and indigenous groups such as mothers groups, women-credit oriented groups, Village Development Committees/ District Development Committees and other community influencers, building partnerships with existing NGOs who are working at the district level basically in four districts: Kailali, Bardiya, Dhankuta and Kapilvastu and enhancing district level capacity in monitoring and evaluation through DPHO office

Heartening

At the dawn of the new millennium, complaints are becoming louder that mass media, especially print and TV, are becoming increasingly sleazy. It is therefore heartening to know that when it comes to the "enter-educate" approach in RCP’s radio programmes, people in Nepal today, both health-related professionals and the general public, are keen to obtain genuine information which will help them change their attitude and behaviours that will positively enhance their quality of life. In conclusion, one could assert that those who listen to RCP radio programmes, while they may not become wealthy, they can certainly become healthy and even wise.

The Random Reflections

By Surendra Singh K.C.

MANY days a week, four or five of us, the core group, so to say, gather at this friend’s place or that, to spend the evening together. This has been going on for so many years now. We constitute a motley group of friends, reputed tycoon, hotel owner, emerging businessman, aspiring politician, and professors (who, one friend is never tired of reminding, according to protocol fixed from the Rana days, formed the rear end of any official procession in the order, santa, mahanta, faqir, professor). Except when we are doing it at a dance or gazal restaurant, which is not often, we begin our session with a card game, called marriage, a lowly two rupees, a point. We play for not more than two hours usually, say, up to 7 PM. By that time one or the other member of the group usually manages to get fed up. This happens if persistent bad cards dog one or the other into a temporary fit of irritation or foul mood or the clock strikes seven. When we play we remain concentrated on the game. We get totally absorbed with its nuances. It’s good for health. It’s meditation, says one friend. We need no persuasion to believe on its efficacy.

Game

Playing that card game with every sense alert on losing the poplu, tiplu, tunnela and the marriage suit is like fixing your mind on the hypnotic chakra, a sort of bipasana. Whisky comes after the game. As the whisky gets in, the state of the world begins to worry us.

These days, it, more often than not, revolves around the sordid power play of two doddering oldsters. One is already on the guddi (seat of power). The other thinks it’s his birthright. He has been away from it too long. He has, on his beck and call, fifty-eight mindless, soulless marionettes (each with a no-confidence sticker pinned onto him) and eleven rats, fattening on political sewerage, who had jumped from what they thought was a sinking ship to a bewildering wilderness. He is waiting anxiously to sit upon the guddi as per the agreement. It’s like seeing an Alice in Wonderland skit between the Tweedledom and Tweedledee of Nepali multi-party democracy.

"Will you, won’t you, won’t you, will you leave the guddi?" says Tweedledee "I can’t, I shan’t, I shan’t, I can’t leave the guddi," replies Tweedledom. "But the agreement, the agreement," squeak in chorus the fifty-eight puppets and eleven rats. "What agreement and who are you?" asks Tweedledom. The puppets and the rats look at Tweedledee abjectly. "Save us, oh great lord and Master, Twiddledee. Save democracy." Tweedledee foams and frets. He, spits out fire and brimstone. "I’ll show you, yet, Tweedledom." They file out, "No confidence, no confidence," they chant as they go out. "Oh Narayan, save me from these hijras (enuchs). Come saki, fill the cup that cheers and rub ointment on my back and loins," says the relieved Tweedledom, relaxing in his favourite supine, Budanilkantha - like position. Not until one friend, an avid Tweedledee fan, who’d said, with a huge wink of deep political wisdom — raised his voice to a pitch, beyond the decibel endurance limit, of a friend who loves sipping his alcohol quietly, did we switch on to other topics.

Fortunately there are no fanatics amongst us who would rather face the Maobadi pipe bomb than quit speaking on his pet topic. To deflect the conversation we talked about the holy Shivaratri festival. All of us had gone to Pashupatinath on that day. Our police, of proven ability at measuring the length of the skirt of dancer girls and rushing to their dress-change room to see whether they wear see-through panties, were so efficient controlling the entrances and exits that we could not even reach the Bagmati bridge. So our friend’s desire to have a darshan or the naga babas’ (naked holy men’s) ringed lingas (male members) remained unfulfilled.

However, we have it from Dr. D.P. Bhandari, an enlightened eyewitness, we did not miss much. The babas’ lingas were not, according to him, something unusual or edifying.

On emerging out to Putali sadak from a friend’s house where I usually go for my late morning coffee, newspapers reading and guffgaff (gossiping), I met a long procession of women carrying placards. Not used to looking at placards when women, especially girls, are carrying them, I asked a bystander about it. Why, he told me, don’t you know, it’s the day of the women! Why just one day only of the year for women? How about the rest 364 days of the year? Can you imagine life without them? It’s for equality, gender equality, you see. I saw. But it’s only when there is only one tennis singles event at Wimbledon with ladies and gents participating on equal terms and women emerging as champions as often as men, differences between them will vanish. May the Lord/Lordess, God/Goddess, however you name him/her, save us from that calamity! Otherwise the inequalities inherent to the differences, both in favour of, or against women will, alas, continue. Considering that men are genetically directed towards raping, it is not that men have not tried their best to curb what nature had ordained them to do and bring the world to the state we are in today. A pretty civilised state, I should say. Leave alone a few barbarians like the late President Mitterand who, regarding his pilgrimage to as many as three different ladies’ boudoir during a single night, is reported to have said to his harassed chauffeur, Pierre Tourlier, vous ne savez pas (you don’t know), Pierre that in affairs of heart, there is such a thing as a menu, the appetiser or starter, the main meal and the dessert. And to think that he had a wife and mistress to boot! And that too in the pre-Viagra days! The linga of a Colossus, an appetite of epic proportions, really. What say you?

Outrageous

But thank God, we have also Rabri Devi (wife of Laloo Prasad Yadav of the buffalo feed scam fame) who has just now replaced the outrageous male chauvinist, Nitish Kumar, as the chief-minister of our great neighbour, Bihar. Long life female empowerment! Long live the day of the women!

Something For The Passengers

By Bishnu Gautam

A LONG journey by bus is always troublesome. For average Nepalese people affording air tickets is beyond their capacity. Also there may not be any air service to where you intend to go and if it is you may not get the ticket. So the only option before you is to travel by bus. Whether you like to travel by night bus or day bus, it’s your choice. However, it is almost impossible to have a direct day bus service except for the eastern Terai towns.

In recent years there has emerged Mt. Makalu Bus Service with a wide network to run day bus services in different 21 Terai towns and a night bus service to Birgunj. Mt. Makalu, however, has no service in the western part of the country. You cannot travel by Makalu buses if you want to go west of Narayangadh. Mt. Makalu is now operating its service with over 45 buses. And recently Apsara travels is also operating day bus service to Biratnagar and Kakarbhitta from Kathmandu.

Travelling during the broad day light is certainly more comfortable and safer than travelling during the night. Obviously there is a little chance of being looted while travelling by day buses. The traffic is often found lighter during the day time especially in the west of the Koshi. This is why the limited day buses of Mt. Makalu and Apsara are often found to be overcrowded. Surprisingly, day buses charge less fare than those of boring and less safe night buses. What a surprise! You can travel more comfortably and safely when you pay less. A day Makalu bus charges Rs. 310 for Kathmandu-Birtamod route whereas the night buses charge you Rs. 419 for the same route.

But now you do not have to pay Rs. 419 whenever you want to go to and from Kathmandu and Birtamod by night bus. As the Makalu bus service has been able to attract a large number of passengers, most of the night buses running in the route Kathmandu-Narayangadh- to east are facing acute shortage of passengers and are compelled to run carrying only 15 to 20 passengers.

This is why they agree to carry you at a cheaper fare. But for this you should not hurry to buy tickets and get on the buses. Just carry a light bag and stand either at the bridge near the Gongabu Bus Park or at Kalanki if you are to travel from Kathmandu and at the Western Bus stop just near Aduwakhola if you are coming Kathmandu from Birtamod, then there you will see conductors of dozen of buses coming towards you requesting you to travel by their buses.

Now the bargaining starts. One pulls you towards the ticket counter saying that he will provide the tickets of the best seat if you pay Rs 250 and another pulls you towards another bus and says he will charge you only Rs. 200. Thus you can come to Kathmandu from Birtamod or vice
versa only paying Rs. 200 and sitting on comfortable seats of the night buses. But the only thing you won’t get by traveling in such a way is the ticket with the insurance of Rs. 50,000.

"What’s the use of your insurance when your bus meets an accident and I’m killed?" a passenger was asking the man at the ticket counter at Aduwakhola, Birtamode while bargaining about the bus fares last Thursday.

Though the presence of day bus service like Mt. Makalu in the long route has made bus journey easier, safer and comfortable, the passengers living far from the towns are unable to travel by these comfortable day buses. For them it is difficult to catch bus in the morning and reach home in the evening.

Despite having the facility of day bus services, the passengers still have to eat poor quality food at highway hotels. If one could have quality foods at highway restaurants, it would certainly be a great relief to the passengers.