Tuning In To Jigme Community Radio 91.1 FM!

‘In 2015 when we completed middle school we got an opportunity to give back to our community. My friend and I started to volunteer full-time at the newly established Jigme Community Radio Station. Since 2015 I have worked as the Programme Producer while my friend Tashi Tenzin is the Radio Jockey and the Station Manager of Jigme Community Radio 91.1 FM. I believe it’s the duty of young people like us to stay back and take up responsibilities like these as we are among the few people that are educated.

The station has benefited the community in numerous ways. First, it has allowed us to share information and announcements faster. Before we used to share information from person to person going from one household to another. Secondly, we have been able to preserve and share classical Lhop songs.

The most popular Lhop songs played on our stations are; Gong Karsel Dawa, Yasa Shimi Dondu, and Ama Jalani Kiba. We have also set up a pricing system for various types of announcements and radio promotions but have only received local level information dissemination. Initially, we were struggling with technology as we studied and grew up in a remote
location. By managing the community radio, we have learned to use the computer and other electronic gadgets – commodities we have never touched in our lives. We produced a few Early Child Care and Development Programmes, Anti-Violence Programmes, and Religious Programmes on the station. We never thought we would be working at a Radio Station. After a few years at the community radio station, we started to feel more confident in our oral skills, improved our interpersonal skills, and started to enjoy working at the station.

Unfortunately, the station has been out of order for almost 5 years. We are having issues with the transmitter and the computer system has also become outdated. We couldn’t continue our work at the station as we lacked the necessary skills and networks to repair the system. The community has been showing concern regarding the community radio and we have sought support from Tarayana Foundation and local government officials.

We used to send the transmitter to the College of Science Technology and an electronics repair shop at Samtse for repair, but our contacts at these locations have moved, and we have lost our repairing amenities. The major issue with managing and running the community radio is the weather. 

Our village is extremely prone to thunder and wind storms. The thunder and
lightning damage the transmitter which is very difficult to repair and reinstall. We would like to be fully employed at Jigme Community Radio as we want to focus fully on the operation of the station. We also have an issue with community members not cooperating for interviews, recording, and program production. I feel the community radio station can thrive if we receive the necessary capacity building training for the production and delivery of innovative, and comprehensive radio programs.

We have witnessed tremendous change in the community such as improvements in housing, road connectivity, food security, and enhanced water supply. We would be grateful if the transmitter at the community radio station is fixed. We wish to continue working with Tarayana Foundation and at the Jigme Community Radio Station.’