We Interrupt Our Regular Programming… Julie on the Radio!

I'm still working on my post about my trek in Nepal... but since I'm back at work a lot of cool things have been happening. I've been writing proposals for the past 2 weeks and going back and forth with UNICEF staff over the sports project. In the meantime, Equal Access, my organizaiton has thrown together an exciting charity event for this weekend - a football match to benefit children living with HIV and AIDS. This is also a great way to gear up our listeners for our new sports development project. To get the word out about the match, the SSMK team recorded a PSA/event announcement to be broadcast on FM radio here in Nepal. They recorded an English and Nepali version and asked ME (!!) to record a couple of lines for the English version!! :)

It was my first time in a recording studio (we have one here in-house) and to be honest, I was a bit nervous as I don't like my voice in real life and didn't want to hear it on playback. It took all of about 20 minutes to record... most of which was spent with me messing up and being asked to deliver "more energy". These guys are complete pros, though, and I'm happy they asked me to be a part of it. Thanks to Binayak (the ultimate and coolest radio techie), Kaustuv, Ayush, and Rabindra and the rest of the SSMK team for letting me play!! :) And thanks to Equal Access and the SSMK team for letting me post it... if you're in the KTM area this Saturday (29 Nov 2008), come to the match!

English.mp3

Yes that's me saying "Teaming up to fight AIDS!" and "Tickets available at all..."

Field Trip! (040908)

So today at work, I thought I was going to be reading through journal articles and program materials, but then my colleague Yogi invited me to come along to some focus groups in a village outside Kathmandu. Of course I wanted to go… KTM is really noisy, crowded, and kind of dirty so I wanted to see if other places in the valley are the same. So we headed to Thankot, probably 10-15km outside of Kathmandu.

The focus groups consisted of local women’s groups (also participating in a Heifer International project) so I got to meet a lot of really interesting women. We were asking for feedback from them about 4 PSAs my organization has produced concerning pre-natal and maternal care (part of our Early Child Development program). The ladies were so excited to have us (giving us gifts – it’s what they do) and to talk about the PSAs. Of course we gave them some program swag from our most popular show (SSMK, which I’m going to be working on as well).

It was SO nice up in Thankot. It’s up in the hills (KTM is in a valley) and so it’s less hot, less crowded, and less polluted. The ladies were telling me that they’ve even had freakin’ tigers roaming around the villages at night. Seriously. TIGERS. :) It was really fun and nice to hang out with the local women and see how important their feedback is to our broadcasts and PSAs. Of course, I got the “She’s not Nepali?” but I think I’m starting to get used to it. Once I speak Nepali (I’m learning a little bit here and there and still looking for a private tutor), I’ll be able to blend in much better.

We got back from Thankot a little late, so Yogi gave me a ride home on his motorbike. Have to say, I was a little concerned getting on a motorbike here of all places (I really need to post a picture of a street scene so you’ll get just how crowded and congested this place is!), but it wasn’t so bad. Still a little wary of motorcycles in general, but not super afraid anymore. Don’t worry, I’m safe, mom (if you’re reading this finally!) and I probably won’t do it again.

Unless someone else offers me a ride home. :)