VOICE FOR THE FALLEN: NPI Radio Schools
In many areas of the world, large numbers of people are being killed by natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004. At the same time, many innocent people are being killed due to acts of terrorism, insurgency, civil war, genocide, and other types of man-made disasters. Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Palestine now top the list of a number of man-made disasters. Based upon past experience we must assume that natural and man-made disasters will continue in the future.
Those who have fallen, from these disasters, are “crying-out”
for assistance for their surviving families members, their friends,
and their neighbors. Yet, attacks by the terrorists and insurgents
have forced humanitarian efforts to be reduced, rather than be increased
to meet the growing needs for help. As an example, Doctors Without
Borders, CARE, and other relief organizations have withdrawn their
volunteers from Iraq due to security concerns. Local terrorist groups
are threatening some volunteers, working on Asian tsunami-relief ---and
some are expected to withdraw for the same reasons. Added
to this problem, foreign volunteers are difficult to sustain in inhospitable
areas. Thus, long-term relief efforts, in these areas, cannot be easily
continued.
As a solution to the above problems, NPI will start Radio Schools to teach self-help technologies (to those most in need), in local language(s) and culturally appropriate format. These Radio Stations will not broadcast political, religious, product promotion or other sensitive messages. Traditional music, weather announcements, and general news items may be broadcast to encourage development of a wider audience. Radio School classes will focus on helping local populations meet their most critical needs, and classes shall each have an individual focus; e.g. potable water, food, sanitation, medical aid, health, shelter, energy, microenterprise development (job creation), and so on. Local, indigenous volunteers will be trained in Radio School class organization, and given radios powered by hand-crank generators. Refugees/ villagers (or other local populations) will be given instruction, by radio; according to the subjects they are most interested in or as needed to facilitate critical self-help. Some infrastructure development and redevelopment courses may also be provided as needed. The best available technicians, translators, and radio programmers shall be assembled at each Radio School to provide the best possible self-help instruction for the audience(s) concerned.
Each of NPI’s Radio Schools will be a cooperative effort involving a number of non- governmental organizations as well as companies skilled in the construction and basic operation of radio stations. The first school is planned for Andhra Pradesh Province, in India, near where the 26 December 2004 tsunami hit the coast of India. This NPI Radio School will eventually broadcast to most of the victims of this tsunami as approved or permitted by the governments concerned. A second Radio School is planned for Iraq, and this effort shall seek to assist the Iraqi people in the redevelopment of Iraq. The third Radio School is being planned for Kenya, to broadcast self-help instruction for Somali refugees. This Radio School will also conduct an educational effort designed to reduce the rate of HIV/ AIDS infections in Africa. (NPI already works in India and Kenya.)
NPI will primarily seek support from individuals to fund subject
Radio Schools. Each
donor will receive a token of NPI’s appreciation (for their
donation), in the form of a lapel pin, pendant, or bracelet, provided
in accordance with details given on the Donation Section of NPI’s
website (www.needfulprovision.org). These gifts were all designed
using an ancient figure of the Caddoan “Fire Keeper” donated
to NPI by the Native American artist, Evin Kenneth Richards, Jr. The
theme of this design is to: “Restore the Home Fires” of
those who suffer. The lapel pin and pendant are designed so that the
name of a victim or “fallen hero” may be engraved on the
back Thus; donors have the opportunity to so honor the name of a victim
or “fallen hero” they wish to remember. (The “Fire
Keeper” design is under protection of copyright, and design
patent pending.)
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N.B. “Fire Keeper” was one of the first, if not the very
first, appointed positions based on the early organization of man.
By apparent early tradition, and shortly after primitive man discovered
fire, the strongest and bravest warriors were selected to keep the
fire torch safe and secure while fire was being moved from place to
place. Insofar as can be determined, being recognized as a “Fire
Keeper” may have been the first formal honor created by man.