Childline/ Lifeline

My name is Tomas Andresen and I am in Grade 8. Today I will tell you about my collaboration with the radio program of Lifeline/Childline, an organisation focusing on child protection, and social and mental health issues.

Every Thursday, I go to their office to research, create a script and record it. The topic is given to us on arrival and we have approximately 2 and a half hours to complete the task. 

We are 6 boys and girls aged 13 to 16 from different schools. We eat lunch and each prepare a different script on the topic. Our supervisors, Elizabeth and Shane, will edit the recordings.  At the end of the month, we get a little payment for our work.

It is my first radio experience, and I enjoy it a lot. Especially, researching topics that have been overlooked and seeing their effect on children.

The most difficult part was being shy, but I quickly overcame it.  It is also weird to hear my voice recorded.

I do know now the problems that many Namibian children have every day, at school and in their homes eg. bullying, emotional or physical violence, exploitation.

When I am having a bad day I think they have it worse. I like to know that I am lucky and privileged. It also makes me glad to think that I am helping them.

If you want to know what my sibling and I are doing, follow us on Instagram on ‘mama made me _dodis’.

For the radio program, please go to NATIONAL RADIO 92.6 FM SATURDAYS 09H00-10H00