The number of low-power FM radio stations will soon increase, leading to more local voices and topics on the air. (Article in N.Y. Times, Jan 25, 2011)
RADIO FAMILIAR….RADIO FAMILIAR …SI BUENO …SI BUENO
(Radio Cosgaya, Saturday Jan.15, 2011)
Good Ole Cosgaya, in the middle of nowhere in the Yucatan, was already transmitting its signal when the article appeared in the New York Times. Keep your radio tuned and some day you might hear us!
Fifteen years ago, I heard of a group of young people in a small Maya Village near us which had begun their own radio station. I thought it might be a good project for our small communities. Everyone agreed and nothing happened.
I guess that is why I was meant to spend so many years here. Three months ago, the youth of Cosgaya asked about starting their own radio station. One of our “becados” (scholarship students) has been studying Communication. She and some other youth of the village liked the idea. They linked up with the youth of Chablekal , not too far away, who have been running their own station for years, and things began to happen. We “borrowed” a small transmitter and some microphones. We put a small loudspeaker on top of our Cyber Cafes’ roof and the first radio program took place.
Radio Familiar began its first program in Maya and then switched to Spanish for an interview with a local correspondent, a foreign visitor (me) and even a weather report. Weather was warm and humid. About 28 degrees Centigrade (80-85 F) . Eat your hearts out dear friends in the Midwest and on the East Coast who have had two months of weather below freezing. We understand there has also been some rain on the west coast. None here in Mayaland!!! You‘all come down!
To be honest, I don’t know if Radio Station Familiar will survive in Cosgaya. The loudspeaker was not big enough to broadcast for more than a couple of blocks. The borrowed transmitter blew a fuse and the electricity went off and on a couple of times before the first program was finished.
But I am proud of these young people and their spirit. With your help, we can get bigger loudspeakers, and a new transmitter. We can get someone to repair the electric lines. But you can’t replace these young people. They are filled with hope in the future and are ready to work hard to overcome the problems that exist in their village and in our society.
That first program, they spoke honestly about the problems which exist in their village. No one else does that. That first program, they suggested, lots of ways in which the parents could help their children learn. They promoted the library which we have started in the Primary School. They reminded the other youth of the availability of the Intenet and they encouraged participation in programs of service for others. They have even offered to make free announcements, sell second hand bikes and do whatever anyone wants to help the people of the pueblo.
