Khoun Community Radio

Another testing

2010-01-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

1, 2, 3...testing, testing

2010-01-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

We would like the world to hear us, so we are going to try to include audio files in this blog soon.

Vacancy Announcement for Station Manager (Lao)

2010-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Vacancy Announcement for Station Manager

2010-01-18T23:32:00.000-08:00

Khoun Community Radio for Development is recruiting one highly motivated station manager to manage the radio station, mobilize and lead volunteers, and work with partners.

Key Responsibilities:

· Coordinate the work by all units and other activities of the radio station;

· Plan and lead monthly planning meeting with all unit heads;

· Act as a coach for volunteers and board members;

· Support and assist a production unit and monitor the quality of programme productions;

· Implement the partnership strategy and organize fundraising;

· Oversee financial administration;

· Organize outreach activities;

· Act as a secretary to the station board;

· Prepare a work plan and report, monthly, quarterly and annually.

Requirements:

· Possession of at least a diploma holder in social-science, linguistic and education;

· Knowledge or experience in community mobilization or community development;

· Experience in working with NGOs, the government or development organizations;

· Experience in media is an advantage;

· Knowledge of a local language (Khmu or Hmong) is an advantage;

· Possession of working English is an advantage;

· Computer literacy (e.g. Words, Excel…);

· Willingness to work in remote locations and with ethnic people.

Please send detailed CVs along with a letter of interest in Lao and/or English by 28^th January, 2010 to: Khoun Radio Support Project, PO Box 0230/A, Phonekham village, Pek district, Xiengkhouang or

Email: khounradio@gmail.com or Fax: 061 213250.

For more detail, please contact us during office hours at 0305171534

Only short-listed candidates will be notified for interview.

Dormitory for Volunteers

2009-12-24T22:23:00.000-08:00

This dormitory was built with support from both the (UNDP) project and government of Khoun district (land, wood...). It's a simple two-room shelter equipped with simple furniture. It was deemed necessary to have such facility built for volunteers working for Khoun Community Radio for Development who have to travel to the station from their remote village to work. Before this dormitory was built, volunteers had to sleep on the floor in the station when they could not travel home at night or when it rained. The dorm is located just few meters from the station. It also provides a resting place for volunteers. Now, two of male volunteers are occupying one of two rooms. The other room is kept vacant for female volunteers. Those who are staying in this dorm also help to safeguard the station.

Have you seen or visited our station yet?

2009-12-24T02:59:00.000-08:00

People often ask us if they could visit us and talk to our volunteers. Please be assured that we are always happy to receive people's visits. If you happen to be in Khoun district, please drop by to see us 'in action'. Ask people in Khoun for direction. People know us; we're quite famous here. And also, don't forget to donate to 'volunteers welfare fund'.

If you have a radio receiver, please tune in to FM 94.5 MHz when you're in Khoun or neighboring districts . If you hear us, you could request for your favorite songs or comment on a programme.

If you'd like to have a formal visit, please contact 'Khoun Radio Support Project' (see contact detail on the right); we'll assist you with arrangement and other logistics.

Hope to see you here.

A broadcast studio of Khoun Community Radio for Development

Do I have to be a rocket scientist to do this?

2009-12-24T01:26:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time this morning, a group of Khoun Radio volunteers was testing a mobile radio recently bought to be used for community mobilization.

Being ignored during assembling 'antenna system', Lavanh (on the right) asks: 'Can I try?'. No response from Neng Yang (on the left). She looks upset a bit.

Neng Yang (to Lavanh): 'It's not a woman's job. You should stay in the shade; it's too hot in here.'
Lavanh (insists): 'But I really want to try.'

Neng Yang: 'OK. But please be careful.'
Lavanh: 'Like this?'
Lavanh: 'This is easy and fun!'

Lavanh: 'Done! You boys should have let me help out earlier; you wouldn't have had to stay in the sun this long.'

Erection of an antenna is done. Now, the group moves on to set up 'the broadcasting console'. It consists of a mixer, an MP3 player, a pair of microphones, a CD player, computer...

Neng Yang now lets Lavanh help with the setup without her having to ask him.

(BTW, this mobile radio works!)

We've been heard. And now...

2008-11-23T00:17:00.000-08:00

we are seen and read,too.

Khoun Radio is honored to have received H.E Dr Mounkeo Oraboun, Minister of Information & Culture, on Friday, November 21, 2008, during his mission to Xiengkhouang.

He was accompanied by Dr Thongsa Sayyavongkhamdy, a head of National Heritage Department, Lao National TV crew, and a journalist from Pasaxone Newspaper (People's Newspaper), and welcomed by a head of Provincial Department of Information and Culture, Mr Somephone Philavong as well as Khoun district authorities.

Khoun Radio had previously invited Dr Mounkeo to attend the official launch of the station in Khoun (October 22, 2007), the community radio seminar in Vientaine (November 1, 2007), and the community radio workshop in Xiengkhouang (October2, 2008). However, he was unable to attend any one of these due to his busy schedule. When we heard he was in Xiengkhouang for the special ceremony to commemorate those who lost their lives in Thampew Cave, we invited him to visit our station in Khoun. He agreed.

At the station, he was interviewed on air to share some thoughts and advice about community radio.

He first congratulated Khoun authorities on making Khoun Radio successful and encouraged them to continue to support this radio to ensure that it would serve Khoun people better and better. He also said, "Please keep up your good work. I understand that this radio will be developed as a community radio model...We will continue to previde guidelines and support."

Before leaving the station, Dr Mounkeo and Dr Thongsa also wrote on a guest book.

The transcript of Dr Mounkeo's words on the radio will be available soon.

It's not just a cap

2008-07-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

...but a cap with a message or two. Check out our new design of the cap to be given out during community mobilization. Come and join us if you want one.

Khoun Radio Bumper Stickers

2008-07-04T04:14:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you wish you could be here in Khoun right now?

2007-10-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Besides a singing contest, we are also organizing a volleyball competition as part of a series of activies for the station launch. We are just thrilled and overwhelmed with responses we have received so far from the local communities, be it a singing contest, a volleyball match, cheering the game, and so on. It is a good sign, right?

Ready, Set, Go!

Policemen cheering for their team (Police playing against Health)

This policeman (in red) is watching intensely and waiting for his turn to play in the next match.

Regardless of who are a winner or loser, at the end of each game, they all sit together and drink Beerlao!

KCR Idol!

2007-10-11T04:36:00.001-07:00

The station had become a stage when a singing contest was organized as part of on-going activities, leading to the station launch, 22nd October 2007. Sixty-four people turned up for audition. They had to perform one song in front of a panel of judges. There are 4 categories, Hmong, Khmu, Lao Loum, and Children. After the audition, 7 people for each category would be selected for the final round. A winner from each category will receive a Sony radio (worth more US$100!), station T-shirt, and a chance to record his/her voice in our studio!

The contestants giving their best to impress our judges.

Contestants waiting for their turns.

Some 'Idol' hopefuls, age from 8 - 12 years old, getting ready to show their talents.

We were not moved by their voices, but by their courage to sing in front of judges without any fear. Very impressive.

It must have been tough for judges to decide who would make it into the final round, 21st October 2007.

Thank you for your generous donation to the station, however small.

2007-10-11T03:55:00.000-07:00

Ms Malaythong, one of volunteers working for the station, showing an envelope with donated money inside. The money has been donated by local people for the station to use to cover operational cost (electricity bills, administrative matters, etc.)

Mr Khamsy is taking down the names of donors so he could read them on air, thanking them for their generous contribution.

These are names of people who have donated their money to the station. We have collected more than 2 million Lao Kip so far. The lists have been posted on the wall outside the station for public to view, for transparent purposes. In the future, we will also inform the public how every Kip has been spent. That way, they could rest assured that their money will only be used for good cause.

In the limelight

2007-10-04T19:52:00.001-07:00

Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loum volunteers working together to learn the craft (recording).

Khamsy Philavong, a head of Xieng Zone (sub-district), is riding his Tok-Tok (tractor) to work at the station. He's been gaining popularity among listeners, especially female ones.

Khamdy (a dean of secondary school) and his co-host, Ms Yongphet (Taidam villager), are reading newspaper on-air.

Bounmy (from Lao Disabled People) and Kayua Lo (Hmong volunteer, sec student) are practising interview skills while curious crowd are watching through the window.

Nhialy Vang, a Hmong village chief, one of the most senior persons working in the station, is hosting his morning show without any assistance from a technician. He walks or sometimes rides a bycicle to work. He normally prepares a script (hand-written) himself and brings his own music collection to play (with his own cassette player!).

"Soukhuan" or "An offering to the spirits"

2007-09-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

(Two Hmong volunteers cleaning up the station for the ceremony)

(Women preparing food for monks and guests)

(Alm giving)

(Serving meals to monks and guests)

(District chief, centre, is catching up with his old friends after the ceremony)

(Khoun District)- Once again, locals gathered at the station to hold a religious ceremony from 13 - 14 September, 2007, making an offering to the spirits.

Five monks were invited from three temples nearby the station to lead the ceremony. Locals, young and old, bringing food and flowers joined us to make an offering. They heard about the ceremony from radio program broadcasted a week ago. So they came.

"Soukhuan" or "an offering to the spirits" is held as Buddhists believe that every where has spirits that need to be fed and asked permission from. Our station is located on a ruined temple with a very big tree (where spirits are believed to reside). Thus, it is unavoidable and crucial to organize this kind of ceremony to ask for permission and protection.

We didn't know how full 'spirits' at our station would be, but we sure knew that locals who attended the ceremony, including District Chief, were full both physically and spiritually.

Students first encouter with the Station

2007-09-12T19:53:00.000-07:00

More than 60 students from Chomphet Secondary School, located near our station, were brought to KC Radio to help us beutify this place on 12 September 2007. This was one of a series of activities carried out prior to the official launch.

For most students, this was the first time they had come into close contact with the station. Some even sneaked curiously into the station to see what was inside this white building.

Our new logo for station!

2007-09-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

What do you think?

Song Dedication

2007-08-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

DJ (answering a call-in): Hello! You are?
Caller (a little girl): Sabaidee DJ. May I request for a song?
DJ: What song would you like to hear?
Caller: GIK NOY CHAI by L-Zone.
DJ: So, whom would you like to dedicate this song to?
Caller: I’d like to dedicate this song to my mom.
DJ: Only to your mom?
Caller (thinking): Hmm...
DJ: How about your dad and others?
Caller: Oh yeah! And to my dad who is hosting the radio program right now.
DJ:……

Oops! On air!

2007-08-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

Coughing. Laughing. Swearing. Pausing... These are just few candid 'mistakes' made by our new 'DJ' forgetting that an on-air button was still on.

Some would continue talking even though music was alreay playing so loud. Some would tell his/her co-host that 'wrong! wrong' while both of them were still on-air microphones.
Some would 'swear' "Oh heck! I still can't find that requested track!" while he was still on air.

Never mind that some hosts forgot to switch off an on-air button when it was supposed to be switched off. Some would continue saying wrong things without being aware off.

" You are listening to KC Radio, FM 94.5 MHz. You are with us DJ Viengmon together with DJ Khamphaeng, Monday to Sunday, from 5 pm to 4 pm."

Or

" You can call in to request for your favourite songs or give feedback on the reception at 303 517... Let me repeat our telephone number, 303 517..." Our telephone number is actually 030 517...

Or

"................................................" (pause).

These are forgivable mistakes given that our hosts are farmers, villagers, students...Having a courage to talk on a microphone is already something. We believe these people will be the next great things as far as community radio is concerned.

We need some publicity

2007-08-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

It reads " Khoun Community Radio for Development, FM 94.5 MHz, is now starting to broadcast."

KC Radio! KCR! Say it loudly. Say it proudly.

2007-08-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

This is a new cool acronym that you shall be soon familiar with and hearing a lot about it. KC Radio or KCR is short for Khoun Community Radio for Development, an offiocial name for the newly-established radio station in Khoun district, Xiengkhouang province, Lao PDR.

KC Radio or KCR, whichever way you prefer to call us, will be officially launched on 25th September 2007. Please stay tune for more development and update.

Look! Who's making a big buck?

2007-08-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Chinese traders in Khoun district are smiling more than usual. The reason? Their business is doing well. One product in particular is selling like a hot cake. All thanks to Meung Khoun Community Radio, a radio set is now in high demand in Khoun. Everyone is rushing to buy one so that they can listen to their favourite programs presently broadcasted from the station.

Mrs Chai, an owner of Pakse Restaurant in Khoun, shouted at our radio staff, "You know what? I just bought a radio receiver today! Everyone is now listening to your radio!"

Mrs Tou, an owner of Meung Xieng Guesthouse, announced to our radio personnel when we visited her restaurant, " My son bought a portable radio for 20,000 kip this morning and he just broke it while he was trying to make a phone call to request for a song!" Her son, Koy, who has been back from Vientiane on his school break, added that he was listening to every program broadcasted from the station regardless of Hmong or Khmu ones and already finished with two pairs of battery.

These people have reasons to listen to and be proud of this radio. After all, this is the very first community radio in Laos. As long as locals listen to our radio, we are happy. And Chinese traders will be, too.

Installing a transmitter at the station

2007-08-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

Uninvited guests!

Together, we work better.

A would-be station technician working on an aerial

An aerial attached to a studio building

Erecting a transmitter (cont.)

2007-07-31T20:40:00.001-07:00

Temporary fences are installed to prevent animals from entering a transmitter site.

Here it is, a 15-m transmitter!

Erecting a transmitter (cont.)

2007-07-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

Our would-be technician and villagers assisted David in assembling an antenna.

This had got to be the heaviest we carried up. It took these two guys almost half an hour to bring this box (where batteries will be kept inside) up.

Who says women have to stay at home and do their chores? Let's talk about gender equality...

Erecting a transmitter

2007-07-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Sixty villagers showed up to help carrying equipment, sand, stones, water, etc., up to the mountain where a transmitter would be put up.

The mountain is 1348 m above sea level! But we made it to the top!

Khoun Radio in the making

2007-07-26T05:08:00.001-07:00

Field Reporting

2007-07-26T04:55:00.001-07:00

Advanced Audio Training

2007-07-26T04:38:00.000-07:00

Studio Building 2

2007-07-26T04:30:00.001-07:00

Studio Building 1

2007-07-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

Phia Wat Temple, Khoun district

2007-07-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

Old Hospital destroyed during the war, Khoun district

2007-07-26T04:05:00.001-07:00

Khoun district, Xiengkhouang

2007-07-26T03:59:00.000-07:00

That Foun stupa, Khoun district, Xiengkhouang.

Fieldtrip to Thailand

2007-07-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

One of our volunteers went live with a Thai host at Dansai, Loei province, Thailand.

2007-06-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

A trainer shows a volunteer how to use an MP3 recorder.

Welcome to Khoun Community Radio Website

2007-06-13T04:31:00.001-07:00

Thank you for your visit. Please come again.