When there is no electricity, their broadcasting equipment, fans as well as computers cannot work. The air-conditioner stopped working months ago. Nonetheless, when there is power outage, these volunteers still report for duty for their shifts. They sit on logs in dusty indoors, scanning the various monitors to check if electricity is back. They are not discouraged knowing that out there are thousands and thousands of listeners who are tuned to the community radio awaiting their favourite programmes.

When suddenly the fans start working everyone jumps back to their respective duty stations. 'Hello dear listeners we are on the air.' Immediately the phones, from avid listeners, start ringing. The must popular programme is the Market on the air. Everyone has something to sell. Ms Gondwe, a continuity announcer, juggles with the phones in between broadcasting the programme schedules. Her message consists of informing the listeners that the Radio station will just continue broadcasting programmes according to the schedule and that those that had not been broadcast because of the power failure will be broadcast during forthcoming days.

Ms Chrissy Gondwe is philosophical about the intermittent power supplies. This is something she has come to accept. 'Power cuts happen all the time affecting our programming', says Hilda Jambo, manager at the radio station. 'The radio has proven to be a necessity in the community and our listeners are the most affected when there is no electricity continued.' She thanks UNESCO for having supported the radio in this rural remote region.

'The heroes of the community radio are the volunteers, who are always present to take advantage of even the shortest periods when electricity is available. Everyone in the team crumbles to their various posts to reassure our audiences, and in return they call back to say that they understand our difficulties', says Ms Jambo. 'The community appreciates what we do for them and this is all the encouragement we need.'

Conditions are trying and challenges abound for this remote radio station of Dzimwe, which nevertheless has conquered the greater listenership of the Mangochi District, where 87 percent of the population cannot read and write and, therefore, depends on radio for news, education and entertainment.

In spite of these challenges, the announcers continue to aim higher given that the management is considering transforming the community radio into a fully-fledged community multimedia centre.

Maggie Mzumara, UNESCO Office in Harare