Pilika Pilika (Busy Busy)

Pilika Pilika was broadcast weekly on Tanzanian radio networks, transmitted during prime time on the national broadcaster, and repeated on local FM stations. It was written, produced, and performed by local people in a studio on the outskirts of Arusha. The edutainment drama was followed by a discussion programme that explored some of the issues raised in the show through the views of rural children, farmers, and a panel of experts.

According to Mediae, partnerships were an important part of the communication strategy. As of this writing, Mediae is sponsored by WaterAid, Femina Hip, and Policy Forum, but has also worked closely with the Department for International Development (DFID), the Natural Resource Institute (NRI), Farm Africa, and others to include themes and messages relating to issues such as agriculture, education, health, hygiene, rights, and some governance issues. One episode dealing with water, hygiene, and sanitation told the story of how Mawazo, a key character, falls into his poorly maintained pit latrine and then has to walk for hours to the river to clean up because the water pump in the village was broken. WaterAid was closely consulted on scripts for the shows and was a regular provider of experts for the discussion programme, which visited communities all over the country in order to gauge the views of a cross-section of the population.

Before the launch of the drama, Mediae conducted two studies of radio listenership patterns and information needs of rural audiences in the region. The organisation, which works in East Africa and specialises in the production of radio and television educational drama, then trained the team from Pilika Pilika.

Natural Resource Management, Sanitation, Rights, Gender

According to Mediae, the average listening figures showed that Pilika Pilika reached 5.5 million people, with each broadcast enabling WaterAid to get messages about safe hygiene practices, good management of water supplies, and sanitation to a broader audience than could be reached with their direct project work or by their partners in Tanzania. They also indicate that the show regularly received a large number of letters and text messages from people whose lives have been changed by messages on the show.