‘Hope, strength, stamina, energy’
Eighty youths trained in the Merundoi-IDB Theatre Programme (Photo by Merundoi)
Eighty youths trained in the Merundoi-IDB Theatre Programme (Photo by Merundoi)

The growth of ‘Merundoi’ over the years

‘MERUNDOI’- to some outsiders, the word may seem like something made-up, originating from the depths of one’s wild imagination. But, to many Guyanese at home and abroad, Merundoi is a household name which represents a balanced combination of both education and entertainment.

To the non-nationals who come to know about Merundoi through one form or fashion, they are made aware that the word is not a mere figment of one’s imagination but rather an Akawaio word which means ‘hope, strength, stamina, energy’.
Quite deliberately, these are the words that can be used to describe the feeling one can derive from being in contact with the organisation whether it be by radio, through drama or various outreaches.

Mrs. Margaret Lawrence (first left) takes a photo with European Union Ambassador, (fifth from left); his wife, Ruta Drizyte- Videti? (third from left); his daughter, Celeste Videti? (fourth from left); and other awardees (from left) Riane de Haas-Bledoeg, Denis Chabrol, Halima Khan, Ameena Gafoor and Saroj Rambarran. (Photo by Delano Williams)

In short, Merundio Incorporated is an organisation which works toward strengthening communities, especially young adults and vulnerable populations, to take ownership of their attitudes,actions and behaviours and to work together for their mutual benefit.
The group which was formed over a decade ago, in the year 2006 through project MARCH (Modeling & Reinforcement to Combat HIV/AIDS) was established as a President’s EmergencPlan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Project.

Then,one year later, it was registered as a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and happens to be the only Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) NGO in Guyana with a US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved by the BCC methodology.
Today, we are unable to say whether anyone truly envisioned the magnitude to which the organisation would expand and evolve, but what Executive Director of Merundoi, Margaret Lawrence, is certain of is that the organisation has definitely come a long way.

“I think it has made a significant transformation because the scope of our work is much wider,” Lawrence assessed. “When we started, we focused mainly on HIV/AIDS. Now, because the methodology is so versatile, we’ve been able to apply it to lots of other social and health issues.”

Street Theatre School Outreach discussion session (Photo by Merundoi)

These social and health issues are modeled, fostered and reinforced, today, through innovative public education by utilising drama and other media.

THE JOURNEY OF MERUNDOI
Over the past decade, Merundoi has created and produced over 1,000 radio drama episodes entertaining and educating thousands of Guyanese with behaviour change messages, while using the platform to dispel harmful myths.

Yet, one must question, how does Merundoi come up with its creative material? Lawrence revealed that the storylines are crafted from research combined into a Data Summary Grid which helps to give reality and accuracy to the drama.
Listeners are then able to identify with the positive, negative and transitional characters, causing them to participate in introspection on how they can change negative behaviours and culturally embedded malpractices.

Today, Merundoi is the longest running Radio Serial Drama in Guyana and the Caribbean, aired on several local radio stations including NCN, 93.1 Real FM, Radio Paiwomak, Radio Lethem, Radio Mabaruma and 104.3 Power FM.
Guyanese scattered all across the globe have been eager to tune into the radio programme which attracts over 20,000 hits monthly from roughly 40 countries.

STREET THEATRE
But that’s not all, the Executive Director revealed that, “In the radio drama, you talk about the messages, but when you get into the community you’re able to appeal more to persons who might be illiterate.”
This appeal is done in the form of Street Theatre Outreaches. Many communities have witnessed Merundoi’s performances designed to utilise an interactive approach, creating a safe space where issues can be discussed among community members.

After the drama presentations, the body makes an effort to end each session in discussion forums moderated by staff and volunteers and/or relevant resource personnel to help answer questions and concerns that community members may have.
“Our street theatre is very active because other agencies have seen the usefulness of how you portray messages to those in areas who cannot access media,” Lawrence explained. “We’ve been able to impact in terms of health, HPV, suicide, mental health, malaria, solid waste management and other social issues.”

Attesting to this was Timolyn Barclay, who spoke on her experience spearheading the Street Theatre ventures with Merundoi.
“Different communities respond differently, based on whatever the culture is there. Some parts of the script where persons might cry, some might find it funny but either way, we use all of this for research,” Barclay began

Then, telling of a recent experience at a few secondary schools in Linden, Barclay said, “Persons enjoy it…We have a lot of applause and persons are coming to us afterwards, asking us for more. We just came from Region 10 and when we were finished with one presentation they were asking ‘Can’t we have another one?’
“They’re very responsive and they’re very eager to try and solve their own problems and tell us what they can do to change whatever situation depicted in the drama,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine.

CHALLENGES
However, these fruitful experiences are not overnight achievements. Lawrence told of the many hurdles the organisation faced in the past and the challenges that still remain today.
After the funding from the PEPFAR programme, which lasted for five years, Merundoi was faced with a financial crisis which left them barely being able to keep the business afloat.
“After that, we were on our own and that had its own challenges because we had to find sponsorship, we had to find proposals, find private and public sector sponsorship,” she revealed.

“So there were some months, I’ll tell you, that we went without salaries. It was as serious as that. But, I think the staff was very, very receptive and I want to credit the staff that has been with us over the years because they have sacrificed family life, money to pay their mortgages and school fees,” Lawrence said as she reminisced on the past.

She then added, “But we plugged through it.” Eventually, they were able to convince a few sponsors and Lawrence is optimistic about the support the organisation can receive from the “much more responsive” public sector.
“Now the Ministry of Health comes on board, communities come onboard; Social Protection is now on board, so it’s not so difficult to negotiate with them.”

ACCOLADES
Over the years, Merundoi has accumulated a long list of accolades such as: the 2008 Guyana Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (GBCHA), Award for Business Excellence on HIV/AIDS through National Action; the 2014 PAHO/WHO Media Award for Excellence in Health Journalism – Certificate of Merit and the PEPFAR HERO Certificate.
That’s not all, in 2012, through the Merundoi Playwriting and Stage Production workshop which saw 65 young people being trained, eight short plays won 18 awards at the National Drama Festival.

Awards were won for categories such as Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Guyanese Play which in turn motivated the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport to adopt the Merundoi Model as a means to mentor various groups across the regions in 2012.
Just as recent as this month, Merundoi was among a group of NGOs that were bestowed with Human Rights Awards by the Delegation of the European Union for their advocacy works for basic human rights for all Guyanese.

In response to the organisation most recent accolade, Lawrence commented, “I think why most of us are still in this job is because when you do what you love it isn’t work anymore….it’s just a joy. And then, when you get acknowledged and you say, ‘okay, somebody did take note’, you didn’t do it for that, but you’re happy about it. It’s nice to be recognised.”

Throughout the years, Merundoi has collaborated with ministries of the government, the private and public sector, civic organisations, regional and a large number of international institutions and groups.
Merundoi wishes to credit the Board members: Sven Wills-Chairman, Carole James-Boston, Evelyn Hamilton, Beverly Chan, Jocelyn Josiah and Durwin Humphrey; the Management and Production Team: Timolyn Barclay, Felicity Jackson, Nizam Bacchus, Mosa Telford, Ron Robinson, Romona Khan as well as the Street Theatre Troupe and volunteers.

Lawrence is a strong believer in the power of knowledge and information, and as such, she leaves with the words of wisdom: “If people are not informed, you can’t expect them to operate in a certain way,” she began.

“If you’re not informed that you need to take a particular vaccine to ensure that you’re healthy, and you’re not given the messages so that you can make a wise choice, it’s going to affect you, your family, your community and your country.”

In 2018, Merundoi hopes to launch its first six-part television series focusing on mental health and suicide, as well as to train vulnerable young people in Georgetown on the use of multimedia to enable them in becoming young entrepreneurs.

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