This refugee DJ is a voice for change
Hear how a community radio representing refugees in Angola is helping the World Food Programme (WFP)
Angola, an oil-dependent southern Africa country with a variety of landscapes shaped by rain and wind, is one of Africa’s last great travel mysteries. Over the last year, however, Angola has steadily received a stream of thousands of people entering its borders from Kasai, a province in the neighbouring country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
More than 35,000 refugees have fled the DRC on foot into Angola to escape becoming victims of mass killings and other serious human rights abuses, seeking shelter and protection in Lóvua, which lies west of the city of Dundo, Lunda Norte province. WFP is providing registered refugees with food and nutrition support.
Roger Beia Cabamba, a man who left everything behind in search of peace and tranquility, is now in Lóvua, where he devotes his time to informing and educating the community by radio.
“We live in peace. Every day is a gift. The most active days are when there are food distributions. I like the work that I do inside the settlement. The messages have had a positive impact on the daily life of the people that is in here.”
The Lóvua Settlement Community Radio was established in the Mussungue reception area. Its primary purpose was to communicate useful information in support of refugees from the DRC.
In an interview with Anabela Araujo, WFP Business Support Assistant in Angola, Roger says that his daily life inside the camp has been rather exciting.
“We live in peace. Every day is a gift. The most active days are when there are food distributions. I like the work that I do inside the settlement. I am a link between the UN organizations and the refugees. When there is no information the people get worried. The messages have had a positive impact on the daily life of the people that is in here.’’
Working with an amplified speaker and a microphone, Roger lends his voice to provide the refugee population with crucial information about food safety, food distribution points, vaccination campaigns, and personal safety.
Roger says that his biggest challenge is that his facilities are under a tree which is not an appropriate place to keep his equipment.
“During the night, I entertain and soothe the community by playing traditional songs.”
“Since December 2017, I have had difficulties providing a more regular service because of a lack of fuel for the generator. Usually the agency that has some important message to tell, provides the fuel.”
Information is mostly aired in the evening, when the movement in the camp is calm. The local languages of Lingala, Chiluba and Portuguese are all represented.
“During the night, I entertain and soothe the community by playing traditional songs. I use a CD player or flash drive, borrowed from friends,” says Roger.
