National Mourning Delays Launch of Radio Station

On the Pacific islands there is always a very public show of mourning when a family member dies. If a national church or cultural leader dies, the mourning becomes a national event.

In aural cultures, history is marked by the passing of national figures so their death is a time public sorrow and respect. Stories are told. In some countries, songs and dances are developed to pass the stories down the generations. In other countries, people are expected to wear only black clothing and old mats to show humility and respect. And there are special church services and memorial events. Public mourning for an important person can sometimes last for months.

The death of a prominent local leader on The Marshall Islands has prompted the decision, out of respect, to delay the launch of The Change 104.1FM, originally planned for April. Steve Clarke (Field Coordinator for Missionary Ventures) and the staff in Majuro wisely decided a public opening and celebration for the new station would be inappropriate.

Imagine a picture of atolls like strings of little beads, embedded in an Ocean of blue. - that’s the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

• The Marshalls are in Micronesia. On the equator, half way between Hawai'i and Australia.
• 62,000 people living on 5 small islands, and 29 small islets and atolls.
• The country has few resources and is economically dependant on aid from the USA.
• The islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites.
• Kwajalein Island is the famous World War II battleground, and a US missile test range.
• The island of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands and because of
  its very small size, is one of the most densely populated places in the Pacific.

Steve and Shawn Clark are Field Coordinators with Missionary Ventures. They are based at Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, where they run a Christian school and Bible training Centre to train local people to reach their own nation for Christ.

Steve and Shawn help local Christians minister to the isolated communities that can
only be reached by boat . . . or by radio.

The Change 104.1FM was originally planned using one high-powered transmitter which would cover the whole country. However, the very high costs for electricity made this system too expensive to operate.

With the help of UCB Pacific Partners, Steve has now set up a low-power transmitter to reach the people of Majuro atoll. The next step is to “roll out” the broadcasts to the other small Marshall Islands using satellite and un-manned, low-powered, radio transmitters.

The enthusiastic radio staff of Change 104.1FM have had some basic training ready to start
broadcasting. In July, UCB Pacific Partners plan to send two trainers from Australia to provide further training.

As well as training local staff to make programs in their own language, UCB Pacific Partners will supply Bible and service programs (like news and weather) via their South Pacific radio network.

• UCB Pacific Partners
• The Change 104.1 FM