Children's Story: I Finally Became a Radio Announcer

#BersamaMelawanCovid19 - My name is Sara, I'm 15 years old. Since March 19, 2020, I no longer study at school because of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, I study at home. The teachers gave assignments while we studied at home. One day, there was interesting information that I received from one of the staff of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Pegunungan Tengah Program Area.

On that noon, WVI staff told me that there would be training for young announcers and I was interested in participating. My motivation is to spend my free time while looking for new experiences.

Thankfully, I was permitted by both parents, and I participated as a beginner announcer on Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI). At that time, we were seven people who joined the program. We got directions from Kak Joko, a WVI staff, and Kak Tanty from RRI. We will be included in the information and entertainment broadcast program about Covid-19, which we named LABEWA (Children's Song and Learning Wamena).

Labewa broadcast has helped many children in Papua, not only because there is a quiz with prizes, but through this broadcast also every listener gets knowledge from invited speakers and continues to study at home by attending and listening to Labewa broadcasts.

When I broadcasted firstly I was very nervous, but after a month on Labewa's broadcast, I was very happy. The presence of the Labewa program really helped me to be able to work and train in self-confidence, and also to entertain other children at home. Through this activity, I learned to follow more health protocols to avoid contracting Covid-19.

My parents thanked WVI very much for involving me in this RRI broadcast activity. The funny thing is, my father didn't recognize my voice if only my mom didn't tell him. In fact, he took the time to record when I broadcasted because he thinks my broadcasts are very good. Even though I think there's still some mistakes happen.

From this activity, I can learn two things: first, before broadcasting, the broadcaster must master the intonation of the script given, so that when broadcasting is not nervous and stuttering while talking. Second, before starting broadcasts, broadcasters and resource persons need to discuss the topics that they want to present before the event so they don't ask each other questions when broadcasting.

That's my experience, how was your experience?

Written by: Sara, Children of the Middle Mountains Program Area Wahana Visi Indonesia