Before you read this post, you should read Part One.
When we arrived in Tonj, we had waiting for us three eager radio staff members, a tower, a very small building with two rooms (one for the batteries/transmitter and one empty), and a plan.
One of aspect of our job here in Tonj is to transform that little building into a fully-operation radio studio that is set up for live broadcasting, hosting guests, and space for our staff to work. And it’s a HUGE job! Here was the room that we started with…
One of Blaise’s first tasks was to design a custom table for the studio on which they would have enough space for the mixer, computers, and microphones and a bit of work space. Blaise drafted a beautiful table and then took the drawing to another organization called HiMango (they do occupational training for adults in the community, including woodworking, thankfully). In just a few short days, HiMango was delivering an awesome, sturdy, beautiful custom-made table and we were able to move radio operations into the studio. He’s just designed and is having built a couple of corner bookshelves to give the guys more working space on the table, too.
Blaise also wired the room up with outlets and a light so that they could have electricity for the computers, fan, and equipment. Tracking down all of the parts needed has been a real challenge, but somehow he has made it work.
Another task we have in front of us in sound-proofing the room. The microphones we have are really good and they pick up the slightest sounds…which include the sound of motorbikes, cows, chickens, children, etc. in the background. We have closed in the “windows” with mattress foam and, while I’m here in Kampala, I will be sewing big panels of fabric to hang on the walls to dampen the sound and reduce echo (and it will brighten the room without having to paint).
In addition to the building stuff, Blaise spends most of his days either in the studio with the guys or out on-location getting meetings or doing recording. They are quite new to the technological side of things, so he plays a big role in continuing to train them on the editing software, answering their questions, and helping them as needed.
He also guides their time. They are struggling with managing time and planning (both very counter-cultural ideas), so he has been working with them on planning their time so they get the maximum amount of work done each day. They were given goals when they finished training, which included how many songs and programming to get recorded. They are having a really hard time knowing how to set weekly goals and break that down into daily goals so that they meet the big-picture goals in June. Blaise is playing an integral role in teaching them how to plan.
My role is turning out to look quite different than I expected. Upon arriving in Tonj, I learned that there are already two organizations in town whose focus is educating adult women. They teach English, among other classes, are easily accessible, and are held at convenient times during the day (the exact opposite of the adult education in Nasir). While I was really excited to teach English and really saw it as a way to get to know women here in Tonj, I do not feel led to replicate the awesome work that these other NGOs are already doing, especially since I am here only for a short time.
It quickly became clear that my role is largely in the radio ministry, as well. I honestly didn’t know what I had to offer before we came, and felt like I couldn’t be much use to the radio team. However, in addition to working on the admin side of things (I take meeting notes, send emails, compile lists, plan our schedules, write letters of introduction to other NGOs and churches in the community, file our expense reports, do accounting, etc.), I am also the writer/director of a brand new educational radio drama series that will target adolescents in Tonj. It will touch on issues that are quite universal: school attendance, self-esteem, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure, etc.
Additionally, I am teaching a computer class to our radio team (we’re on break right now while I’m in Kampala). They have never worked on computers before the seven-week training they had, so we started from absolute basics (this is called the track pad, this is called a USB port, etc.) and will slowly work up to specific programs (mostly Word, PP, and using the internet). The In Deed and Truth staff has asked for a similar class to be offered to them in the evenings, so when I return I will offer another class to them, too. It’s been SO MUCH fun!
So for now, that pretty much explains our jobs in Tonj! We were completely and utterly overwhelmed when we first arrived, but we were reminded that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Slowly by slowly we are better understanding our roles and discovering just what God is asking of us. It has been a lot of fun to see how God equipped us for this job…Blaise on the construction/tech/mentoring side of things and me on the planning/organizing/teaching side of things. We are having a blast!