Digital satellite broadcasting in Eastern Africa

The Worldspace is a powerful technology that involves use of two geo stationary satellites launched over Africa (Afristar) and Asia. The Afristar was launched in 1999 making Africa the first place on earth to receive the new medium of satellite direct radio broadcasting.

ALIN was among the pioneer organizations to use the Worldspace technology in 2000 after undertaking some research about the potential partners in Kenya and Uganda commissioned by Worldspace Foundation now First Voice International (FVI) a charitable agency based in the US. Through partnership with FVI, ALIN promoted use the worldspace satellite to access and disseminate information to marginalized communities in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda.

The WS radio is a digital receiver that receives signals from the satellite. The radio has scores of channels with a very clear FM-quality sound and a multimedia function through which the radio can be connected to a computer using an adapter card for downloading web-based information in text pictures or graphics.

ALIN Experiences
In the year 2001, ALIN with financial support from the ford foundation, piloted the use of worldspace radios as an alternative medium to information access and dissemination. During this period 15 Worldspace radios were placed at partner organizations and community development workers trained on operations. In 2006, ALIN had placed over 60 radios in the region enhancing community's access to appropriate information to improve their livelihoods. Communities were trained on downloading information and generating local content for up-linking to the worldspace satellite.

ALIN also facilitated experiences sharing using the technology through workshops, open days, demonstrations and supported FVI in developing a training manual. The experiences were shared via other mediums including Ecoforum magazine, websites and local newsletters e.g CDRA news published in Ethiopia, MTCEA News published in Uganda and WAZA published in Tanzania.

In the year 2002/03, The Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG UK) now called Practical Action partnered with ALIN in undertaking a joint research activity with funding from the DFID. The research duped 'Pro-poor Satellite broadcasting in East Africa; a myth or reality?' The research report is available at.......

Climate Change Adaptation

ALIN is also involved in the dissemination of information and knowledge on climate change and adaptation practices throught a journal (Joto Africa) and community level climate change adaptation videos a watch video about climate chage

Volunteer @ ALIN

ALIN, Community Information Volunteers program was born in 2006 with an aim to increased documentation and improve the quality of development Read More from volunteer program

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