feba radio uk annual review 2015

Annual Review

2015

2 Annual Review 2015

This is Feba today 3

Where we’re working 4

Nepal and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 6

North India, Nepal and Bhutan 8

Yemen 9

Mozambique and Iraq 10

Burundi and the Philippines 12

Financial summary 14

Being part of Feba 15

Reviewing the year

Over the past 12 months I’ve seen for myself what God is doing through Feba’s global partners. In places like India, Pakistan and Mozambique, I’ve seen how God is using life-giving media to transform communities, and where ignorance and harmful attitudes are being challenged. Essential

health information is making a dramatic difference to communities’ wellbeing. Peace is being championed in areas of the world torn apart by conflict. And the message of the good news is being shared in terms which listeners find compelling. It is fantastic to see tangible change in remote and marginalised communities, in the name of Jesus.

As ever, thank you so much for walking this journey with us.

Bob Chambers, CEO

From the Chief Executive

Contents

Feba UK 3

This is Feba today

Life-giving media Feba offers life-giving media to people and

communities by responding to important life issues. Whether broadcasting on shortwave, medium wave, FM, the internet or using social media, Feba ensures material is produced in listeners’ heart language on issues that matter. This means as Christians we support partners working in emergency response, health and education, and with those geographically and socially isolated. We can really change lives.

Why media?Media is crucial to communities and people in

need. In emergencies, radio can broadcast life-saving information. For communities overcome by poverty, media offers listeners the tools to create a brighter future. Media can also deliver messages of hope and encouragement, helping listeners to discover life in its fullness.

We’re better togetherWe’re proud of our recognised and broad-

ranging strengths that support local partners to

use media to transform their own communities. Feba doesn’t broadcast; today Feba’s work includes production training, and equipment and engineering expertise.

We enable partners to produce content that informs, educates and inspires.

Our focus areasFeba’s work:

• Displaced People

• Health and Wellbeing

• Peace and Reconciliation

• Emergency Response

• Persecuted Church

• Church in Community

Read on for examples of how our partners address these areas of need. We are unable to publicise all of our projects – particularly Peace and Reconciliation and Persecuted Church – due to the sensitivity of our work in these places.

“Your station brings comfort to my life. You are now a part of my life.” IraqFM listener, on radio for community reconciliation in conflict-affected areas

What we’re about - and why we’re excited about changing lives!


MOZAMBIQUEA community radio station bringing change on environmental and health issues, underpinned by a Christian ethos

HORN OF AFRICASharing the good news in a rural, almost entirely Muslim area

CENTRAL ASIA Sensitively sharing the good news in a region where Christians are frequently persecuted

IRAQPromoting peace between Christians and Muslims in an urban area

YEMENProgrammes to encourage Christian believers in a strongly Muslim culture

ZIMBABWEBroadcasting health information and devotional content to patients and visitors at Karanda Mission Hospital

DR CONGOA radio project for street children in Kinshasa BURUNDI

Promoting peace and reconciliation amid growing instability

SIERRA LEONE Helping communities to survive during the Ebola epidemic

EGYPT Building bridges between young adults of different faith backgrounds and political standpoints

Where we’re working

Feba UK 5

MOZAMBIQUEA community radio station bringing change on environmental and health issues, underpinned by a Christian ethos

PAKISTANEquipping churches to address the needs of their communities through broadcasts on their local FM stations

BANGLADESHShortwave broadcasts, bringing innovative content to engage with a predominantly Muslim audience

NEPAL Two community FM stations offering health, information and education programming, seeking to transform people’s lives

TIBET Broadcasting health and cultural content to Tibetan speakers in India, Nepal and Bhutan

CENTRAL ASIA Sensitively sharing the good news in a region where Christians are frequently persecuted

AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN Reaching out to a particular language group in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan

INDIAA highly diverse work, addressing a broad spectrum of issues in different areas of the country

YEMENProgrammes to encourage Christian believers in a strongly Muslim culture

ARABIAN PENINSULA An internet-based project, engaging women in discussion of spiritual matters

BURUNDI Promoting peace and reconciliation amid growing instability


Health and WellbeingJesus cared for the whole person – body, mind and soul – so it’s no surprise that our partners cover

a broad range of topics, concerns and questions which help people to discover life in all its fullness. Many of our projects across Africa, Asia and the Middle East have a focus on health and wellbeing.

CASE STUDY: Health messaging to rural NepalLandlocked between India and China, Nepal remains one of the

poorest countries in the world. Although basic healthcare is free in Nepal, many people are not aware of this or live too far away from hospitals and surgeries to make use of them. Feba’s partner in Nepal, Human Development Community Services (HDCS), runs a community radio initiative that informs local people about health and other relevant issues. HDCS’s radio stations, AfnoFM (team pictured right), broadcast from two areas in Nepal – Okhaldhunga in the east and Dadeldhura in the west – both of which are linked to community hospitals. The stations promote basic health and sanitary practises to local people while also improving the long-term take-up of health services.

Nepal and Democratic Republic of Congo

Feba UK 7

How media helpsWhen sickness and death are caused

by preventable illnesses such as cholera, diarrhoea or malaria, providing health messages can save lives. Our passion is to use media to reach communities which may not otherwise have access to healthcare and information.

Things are changing We’ve had encouraging feedback from

listeners as a result of AfnoFM’s broadcasts: pregnant women accessing the local village health post for midwifery services, mothers learning the value of breastfeeding their babies, hospital rehabilitation groups gaining support through broadcasts and prisoners accessing education messages and finding comfort in the gospel.

“With better knowledge of health and sanitation, the local markets and bazaars have installed rubbish bins and public toilets, making them more hygienic.” Stephanie Mooney, Partnerships Team Director, Feba

CASE STUDY: Giving street children a voice

An estimated 30,000 children and young people live on the streets of Kinshasa, DR Congo. They are at risk of violence from older children, from members of the public and even from the police. Food, shelter and medical treatment are hard to come by, and their prospects for the future are limited. But Feba’s partners in Kinshasa are working to change all this through a new radio project.

A better futureMungongo ya Muana (The Voice of the Child)

broadcasts discussions relevant to street children that include health, child protection and bullying. The presenters, including young people who themselves are from the streets, are encouraged to express their perspectives on life. Off-air, they are trained in radio production and life skills, gaining tools to create a better future for themselves. Mungongo ya Muana is bringing life to vulnerable young people – both those who listen and those who speak.


Displaced People“This year the global number of people forced to flee their homes has exceeded fifty million for the

first time since the second world war.” Bob Chambers, CEO Feba, citing the UNHCR’s Global Trends 2013 report, War’s Human Cost.

Fifty million fleeing conflict As we see daily from the news, a number of crises come to mind: the migrant camps at Calais,

adults and children drowning in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe; despair as people are caught up in tragedies fuelled by the Syrian conflict. But there are millions of people across the world who are leaving their homes, families and possessions to find sanctuary from violence and persecution. The spread of instability, fighting or oppression has resulted in the number displaced globally now at an all-time high. People living in displacement camps or cut off from food, clean water and aid are in need of information, education and hope. The effective use of media can be a vital resource.

How media helpsBroadcasting to those facing economic disaster,

prejudice, historic persecution and fleeing conflict, can help provide information on where and how they could find help and support, as well as health and security advice, together with inspiring messages. Feba’s expertise and projects come alongside displaced people for both the short and long term.

Media also raises awareness of human trafficking and exploitation, forced labour and of those denying others their freedom. Feba partners’ programmes educate to reduce potential victims’ vulnerability.

Enduring impact Gaweylon has never hidden its Christian ethos, but the team are humble and understated in how

they present the good news. This approach is bearing fruit, with members of several different faith groups showing interest in Christianity. Gaweylon celebrated its 25th anniversary in October 2015. It’s truly inspiring to reflect on the number of lives God must have touched in all that time through Gaweylon’s faithful service.

North India, Nepal and Bhutan

CASE STUDY: Reaching displaced Tibetans

As a result of the tensions between Tibet and China and the need to find work, thousands of Tibetans are living in exile in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Today Feba’s local partner, Gaweylon, broadcasts to this Tibetan diaspora, bringing advice and encouragement. The station’s programming focuses on health and education, and also helps to reinforce authentic Tibetan culture and the listeners’ sense of identity.

North India, Nepal and Bhutan

Feba UK 9

Persecuted ChurchCountless Christians worldwide are

marginalised or directly persecuted. They may face physical violence, imprisonment or confiscation of their property. In several nations, Christians must meet and worship in secret to avoid extreme persecution from their neighbours or local authorities. This is a hugely isolating experience.

How media helpsWhen living under the threat of

persecution, to be informed and to be heard can make all the difference. Several of our partners broadcast hope to persecuted communities, providing critical information, declaring God’s love and providing spiritual support to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Tackling the problemsThe conflict in Yemen has caused

serious practical problems, including food and fuel shortages and deep fear and uncertainty. Through Reality Church, marginalised Yemeni Christians are demonstrating the love of God for their fellow countrymen. They are tackling the problems raised by the ongoing conflict from a Christian perspective and using them as an opportunity to share the gospel.

“They feel isolated and fearful. It can be a lonely faith journey and existence for Christians. It’s an enormous encouragement for them to tune in and realise they’re not alone.” Yemen Project team member

CASE STUDY: Programmes for secret believers in Yemen

Many people in Yemen are displaced and suffering. The situation is even worse for Christians who face persecution for their faith in addition to other profound difficulties. Our partner in the region broadcasts into Yemen from outside the country, offering believers support and encouragement. Programmes such as Reality Church are produced predominantly in Yemeni Arabic, speaking to listeners in their heart language. To these Christians radio is vital – allowing them to engage safely and anonymously.

But over the last year our partner’s faith has led the team further. The project’s follow-up workers have increasingly been inviting and drawing in new listeners and creating fresh interest. People in Yemen and outside are picking up the Yemen Project’s radio signal and listening to the station’s messages of hope and life reaching out to them.

Yemen


Church in Community The Church is uniquely placed to bring transformation to communities. Christian groups are

spurred on by their faith to serve their neighbours and address the issues which really matter to them, and churches are often well respected by their communities, even when those communities are not predominantly Christian. Feba seeks to equip churches to bring life to their communities through practical action and sharing the good news.

CASE STUDY: Deeply rooted in Mozambique

Radio Wimbe is embedded in the community of Pemba, and the team are determined to address the issues which most affect their neighbours. Pemba is susceptible to severe flooding, and Radio Wimbe is influencing the local government to improve flood defences. Crime, domestic violence, the empowerment of women, and the prevention of cholera and malaria are all hot issues too, and Radio Wimbe offers its listeners guidance on all of them, welcoming contributions from the community.

Mozambique and Iraq

Feba UK 11

How media helpsThrough radio, Christians can challenge

unhelpful beliefs about important social issues. They can open up debate with listeners and build relationships with them. And because they are deeply rooted in their communities presenters can target the most relevant issues, advocate for change with local authorities, and inspire their neighbours to become agents for change. Our Christian values, such as forgiveness and the equality of all humans, are perceived, noted and discussed by others – and are fundamental in transforming a community.

Respect and affectionRadio Wimbe has a knack for bringing

people together. In several areas, Radio Wimbe listeners have formed listeners’ clubs, entirely on their own initiative. There have also been examples of listeners encountering Jesus through the station and becoming Christians. Both of these outcomes illustrate how Radio Wimbe’s work resonates with its neighbours and how much respect and affection the station has gained.

Many of our partners are working in parts of the world currently experiencing conflict or volatile political situations. As followers of Jesus, we have love and concern for our brothers and sisters of all faiths and none, who are living in these conditions and we work to assist peace and reconciliation in these areas. With community centred media, we can reach out to audiences experiencing crisis and help to bridge religious and political divides.

“Radio Wimbe speaks to us and clarifies well the issues that we meet. It helps us to strengthen our homes, our culture, and teaches us to do business for the wellbeing of society. Radio Wimbe brings healing.” Omar, Caetana and Joaquim, listeners

CASE STUDY: Rebuilding communities in Iraq

Decades of war, repression and conflict have eroded community spirit and trust among neighbours in Iraq. IraqFM, our local partner, is committed to planting peace, love and trust in local communities. The team use music and interactions with listeners to entertain and inform, encouraging members of fragmented communities to speak to each other, reducing discrimination and building peace. IraqFM allows a wide cross-section of community members to have a say, regardless of sectarian affiliation. The station staff are proud to be bringing people together, motivated by their love for Jesus.


Emergency ResponseFeba and our partners have developed expertise in providing emergency radio broadcasts and

programming for crisis-affected communities. Compelled by our faith, we believe it’s essential to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to those recovering from an emergency or in crisis. Media plays a crucial role in this support.

How media helpsFrom our experience in serving crisis-affected communities across the globe, radio can be a key

tool in delivering information that saves lives. In the wake of a disaster there may be no electricity, phone signal or internet connection; but a solar, wind-up or battery powered radio is a cheap and accessible way to access emergency information. Listeners can tune in and hear where to find shelter, food and clean water, and hygiene and sanitation guidance. In places where trust has broken down, good honest programming is sought out; people give it credence and have confidence in the broadcasts.

CASE STUDY: First Response RadioWorking in partnership with First Response Radio, (FRR) Feba has been able to respond to humanitarian disasters, using media to save lives. After years of honing their training, kit, and mobilisation techniques, FRR is uniquely placed to respond quickly and effectively. When Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, First Response Radio Philippines (FRR PH) was the first emergency station on air, broadcasting critical information within 72 hours. This system has since been deployed to other areas, most recently in April 2015, in response to the Nepalese earthquakes, and in October, in the wake of Typhoon Koppu. In both situations, FRR teams have broadcast life-saving information to the thousands of people affected.

Burundi and the Philippines

Photo: First Response Radio Philippines

Feba UK 13

CASE STUDY: Hope and dialogue in the midst of conflict

Burundi, landlocked in East Africa and with a population of 10 million people, is among the poorest nations in the world. Ethnic tensions in 1993 between Tutsi and Hutu sparked conflict that claimed around 300,000 lives, and presidential elections in July 2015 have left continued unease and protests, with people fleeing into neighbouring countries fearful of the country spilling into civil war.

Feba partners with Christian Initiatives for Peace (CIP) in Burundi, broadcasting radio programmes on forgiveness and non-violence before and during the elections. They continue during a time of continued unrest and uncertainty. Other radio stations have been closed or burned down, but the radio stations involved in Christians Initiatives for Peace have stayed open and broadcasting. They are trusted and seen as neutral in this conflict. In Burundi, Christians are being hurt; they seek revenge and prophesise that ‘war has to happen’, in order to stir up violence. Our partner’s programmes are not afraid to admit this - and address deeply divisive issues in order to confront and bring peaceful initiatives. “I truly like the programs of Abakunzi b’Amahoro. I need your prayer. During this unrest, I was mistreated by the policeman. I am still bitter to them.” As our partner said: “Some people are definitely still alive today who, without seeing or listening to our TV or radio programmes, would have made destructive choices and ended up dead.”

‘God will be my lawyer’“CIP has shown the biblical stand on prayer, and

Christians and non-Christians have understood. They have written to us thanking God for the clear understanding – or ask us for further explanations.”

Abakunzi b’Amahoro is popular with listeners. Our partner reports that throughout the cycles of violence, people have contacted the station with testimonies of how they are trying to live ‘blameless lives’ in the midst of the turmoil. Other listeners hear, and say they are edified by the testimonies.

A listener contacted the station from the north of Burundi, saying: “My uncles always try to take our land that our parents left us as a heritance. I have decided to look for poison to kill them. But after listening to the program, Abakunzi b’Amahoro, I decided to leave out the plan. Now I will go to seek justice. I would just want to ask you to pray for me so that God will be my lawyer.”

Peace and Reconciliation Media can reach out to audiences in areas experiencing crisis, helping to bridge divides across

faith groups and fractured communities.

Photo: First Response Radio Philippines


Feba’s work benefits from the generosity of its supporters. We are immensely grateful for the constant prayer and financial support we receive. With your help Feba continues to make a difference around the world.

In the past three years we have been aiming to achieve ‘level flight’ – where our income matches our expenditure. We haven’t got there yet, but we’ve made real progress in this financial year. It may take us another 12 months, but we’re heading towards our target.

“Most of the people I met were seeking emotional support for their losses. They were traumatised; they have never experienced anything this extreme before.” Johnson from Feba India, after 2015 Chennai floods

£259,537Legacies

£16,277Governance

£450,288Cost of generating funds

£1,322,446 Charitable activity

£0Airtime

£1,243,913Gifts from individuals, churches and other organisations

Total income:£1,503,450

Expenditure: £1,789,011

IncomeOur income this year was £1,503,450, which is a

decrease of 9% compared to last year. This decrease was made up of Airtime (£8,282), Legacies (£114,663, a 30.6% decrease), and General income (£25,037, a 2% decrease).

This year legacies represented 17.3% of our income – again showing their considerable importance to us.

ExpenditureOur expenditure this year was £1,789,011 which

is a decrease of 22.5% on the previous year. The cost of generating funds includes the investment we’re making in finding new supporters through the RadioCan campaign.

We made up the gap between income and expenditure using a planned spend from our reserves to help in this period of transition.

FACTWe have reduced the cost of generating funds by 20% during the past year – and we’re bringing it down by another 10% in 2016.

FACTThe amount of money we needed to spend from reserves this year was only 43% of the amount spent the year before.

Financial summary

Feba UK 15

Being part of FebaIf you’ve supported us during the past

year, thank you so much. Your support, in terms of prayer, action and generosity makes the world of difference to us and our partners. If you’re not yet part of this life-giving work, why not join us?

Three ways to make a big difference:

PRAYSign up to receive Feba’s Prayer Diary, and keep up-to-date with the prayer needs of our global partners. Use it in your daily quiet time or within your regular small group.

Why not order an extra copy for your church or home group?

Follow us on Facebook for urgent prayer requests.

Check our website for weekly prayer information.

Use pages of this Annual Review to inspire prayers. Why not place a night light on each country on the map on pages 4-5 as you pray?

ACTRaise awareness of Feba’s work in your church and community. Or why not hold a fundraiser for us? Anything from a cake sale to cooking a curry night for your friends for Feba?

Order extra copies of the Annual Review and give them to friends.

Send any used stamps to us at our Worthing office.

Sign up for e-news on our website.

‘Like’ and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Social share pages from our website with your friends.

Order a RadioCan pack from our website and use it with your church youth or children’s group.

GIVEA small regular donation can go a long way in many of the countries where our partners operate.

You can give online at feba.org/give, or email us at [email protected] to request a direct debit form.

Or by cheque – made payable to Feba Radio.

Or by phone – just call us on 01903 237281.

Gift Aid – forms are available by post from us or online at www.feba.org.

Direct debit – online as above.

Sign up on our website for your own fundraising page.

LegaciesLegacies – gifts left through wills – are especially important to us and play a vital role in

furthering Feba’s work. We were left a quarter of a million pounds in legacies last year. Without these valued and special gifts much of our work could not continue.

If you should be considering writing a will, please remember Feba. We welcome any enquiries and will try to give you all the information or help you need, sensitively and in confidence.

Please call Tim Hollingdale on 01903 286437 for an initial conversation, or go to the legacy section of the website for a contact form.


Feba Radio UK, Skywaves House,

Ivy Arch Road,Worthing, West Sussex,

BN14 8BX, UK

+44 (0)1903 237281

[email protected]

www.feba.org.uk

Feba Radio: A registered charity no. 257343 A non-profit making company limited by guarantee no. 940492.

Registered in England, Registered office Ivy Arch Road, Worthing

FebaUK

@Feba_UK

For updates on our partners’ work, connect with us through Facebook, Twitter or visit our

website.

feba radio uk annual review 2015

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