Bosco FM Celebrates 3 Years of Community Broadcasting

"It’s the first community radio station in the country and it has come a long way in reaching out to the community and making an impact to the lives of the people around Tetere", said Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, SIGNIS Pacific Delegate and Board member, who spearheaded the launch of the station. He said the aim was to link the communities and give the youth a chance to express themselves under the slogan: "Empowering people, building community".

According to Fr Ambrose, the young people from the community are engaged in running the station. "And it is making a difference to the lives of the people", he said.

After getting a broadcast license in 2004, Radio Bosco started transmitting on 27th February, 2005. The celebration included awareness talks, religious activities, song competitions, quizzes, on-air dedications, visits to the studio and sports activities.

Solomon Kilu, a programmer and presenter, said that the station had steadily increased it programmes and hours. He said that the coverage is well-received throughout the plains and further up the mountains. They reach more than 10,000 listeners. However, if they can get a stronger transmitter and a telephone it would broaden their reach even more, according to Kilu.

James Peresini, another presenter, said the request for songs by letter is a hit. "We receive about 50 request letters for dedication each week from around the plains".

Fr. Dominic Kachira sdb, Parish Priest and Rector of Don Bosco, Tetere, said the station is reaching the communities, but that they want to do even more.
(Published by SIGNIS)