Hatemalo Radio Programme - Nepal

In an effort to build up the confidence and self-esteem of disabled children, success stories from different countries are aired on a radio programme. The message is: "another child with the same disadvantages has achieved this: don't let your disability overcome your strengths. You, too, can do it!" The programme explores causes of and cures for various disabilities, as well as ways to rehabilitate the disabled.

Children participate in every step of production of the programme, from developing the idea for the script to the production of the radio show. Every radio programme is pretested before it is broadcast; the feedback from this session is incorporated into plans for the programme. In addition, children from all over the country send letters every week.

Every year before annual planning begins, children suggest the major topics or issues for the next year. Based on these suggestions, radio programmes are developed and broadcast through national radio.

Youth, Children, Rights, Environment.

"Hatemalo" means "hand in hand" in Nepali.

In its initial years, Hatemalo programmes concentrated solely on changing the attitudes of non-disabled children toward disabled children. The fears and lack of knowledge about disability among non-disabled children were countered with facts about disability. In an effort to encourage children to help each other, simple ways of helping disabled children were outlined.

A project website is in the works.