Overview:
Bravos
do Zambeze was produced by CMFD (Community Media for Development) Productions
for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as part of the UN
Delivering as One, Joint Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction Project. The
two-season drama is designed to communicate information around natural
disasters and strategies to reduce the devastating consequences they can have
on local communities. The story focuses on a village soccer team captain, Jose,
and his girlfriend Suzanne. In season one, the village is hit by a terrible
flood that finds the community completely unprepared. Jose and his team must
try to get the villagers to safety. The season deals with the immediate
aftermath of flooding, issues around displacement, what can happen if people
are not prepared, and the importance of sticking together as a community.
Season
two of Bravos deals mainly with the process of rebuilding, as well as the
importance of adapting to the reality of increasingly frequent and severe
weather patterns. The aim in this season is to communicate specific, useful
information about longer-term disaster management and planning, including
farming and building techniques that are more disaster-resistant, and preparing
an evacuation plan for future emergencies.
The
drama, which includes a lively, original theme song, was produced in Portuguese
and Sena, the local language most prevalent in the target area – the Zambezi floodplain. However, the drama is
being distributed to radio stations across the country, focusing on areas prone
to flooding. The theme song for the drama was co-written by local Mozambican
parliamentarian and musician Isaú Meneses, and uses a combination of carefully
written lyrics and catchy beats to take the messages further.
Research
In
preparation for the project, CMFD conducted a series of case studies among
residents of Ndambuenda, a resettlement neighbourhood in Zambezia Province,
who were forced to leave their home villages because of flooding. Respondents
were asked to recount what happened to them during the flood, how they were
affected, what they were able to salvage, how they feel now, and what, if
anything, they would do differently next time. Most respondents reported losing
everything to the flood. Many noted that there was a lack of solidarity or
coordination between villagers, and that people were often out for themselves.
Some also reported not taking the flood seriously at first and waiting too long
to leave their homes. These case studies helped inform and shape the key themes
in the drama.
Training
In
between production of season one and season two, CMFD organised and conducted a
five-day workshop with six community radio stations within the Zambezi River
region. The workshop included a number of presentations from organisations
working on disaster risk reduction in the area, as well as practical training
on creating radio features. Journalists were able to interview presenters, make
important contacts for future reporting. They were also given copies of Bravos
do Zambeze – along with a guide booklet to help them develop call-in shows,
talk shows and reports around the drama – to play on their stations.
Response
Feedback
from a focus group discussion conducted on the drama, as well as evaluations
from actors provides a positive indication that this drama will help people
affected by floods cope with their situation and bring about change. One focus
group participant said that “people who hear the drama will learn something,
and will know how to help those who are in danger.” Another said that “I
[learned that] every time there is an emergency situation, we shouldn’t wait
around until it gets worse.” Moreover, both focus group participants and actors
felt they could identify with the characters, even relating several of the
characters to people they knew who had gone through similar situations. One
woman noted that "the old man Domingos, he reminded me of my Dad who also
suffered in a flood situation. He didn't want to listen in the beginning."
Season
one of the drama was broadcast between November and December 2009 on a number of radio
stations within or close to the Zambezi
floodplain. Season two was distributed in February 2010.
After the airing of season one, CMFD conducted telephonic surveys with radio stations that received the drama. Presenters said that the drama is "entertaining and informative", "just what we need", and "what the people need." Most stations conducted additional activities around the drama, including hosting call-in shows and inviting studio guests. Presenters also found the discussion guide included with the drama useful, clear, and made it easier for them to talk about the drama and the issues. All presenters noted that their knowledge of natural disasters and disaster preparedness has increased "a lot"; most expressed that their coverage of natural disaster issues has changed because of this increased knoweldge.
For more information about this and other projects, visit www.cmfd.org.