Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Wednesday, 30 October, 2002
Usually it is not the technology that is important, but what people do with it that makes the difference.
A perfect example of this is Radio Oxyjeune, that broadcasts to a poor suburb of Senegal's capital Dakar.
The community radio station has been active for a few years, but is not content to simply pump out music and chat to its audience. Instead, it wants to take a much more active role in the lives of its listeners.
Local power
It broadcasts programmes in both the national and local languages to reach as many people as possible.
A staff of 50 people work at the station, only 20 of which have full-time jobs.
The name of the station tries to capture some of its mission as it is a conjunction of the French words for "oxygen" and "youth".
It also has phone-in shows that regularly tackle subjects many consider taboo, such as HIV/Aids and women's rights.
"We have to make secret recordings of people with HIV," says Oumar Seck Ndiaye, Director of Radio Oxyjeune.
"We wanted to shock people and needed their testimony to make it come alive," he says, "but it would have been dangerous for them if they'd been identified."
The efforts to educate do not stop with phone-ins on the radio. The station has also started up many community groups that talk to people about HIV/Aids.
During holidays, these groups train people to go out to beaches, football stadia, nightclubs and other places people gather to spread the word about safe sex.
In many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa it is still hard to talk openly about Aids and ways to help people avoid HIV.
Political debate
And it is not just over health matters that Radio Oxyjeune is being attacked.
During recent elections, the station set held meetings to help locals put questions to the politicians standing for office.
Not all of the candidates were happy to be confronted this way, says Mr Ndiaye.
It received threats and some politicians tried to intimidate it and stifle its voice.
But Radio Oxyjeune is going from strength to strength, partly thanks to a large anonymous donation, and is about to open up sister stations around the country.
021030
BB021021
Copyright © 2002 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, theElton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.