Merundoi Incorporated continues its commitment to addressing social issues through the use of ‘Edutainment’ (Education through entertainment). In addition to its very popular Radio Serial Drama ‘Merundoi’, the NGO also conducts, quite effectively, Street/Forum Theatre which aims to highlight social issues through a well structured learning experience featuring dramatizations (modelling) followed by reinforcement (of the message). Merundoi Incorporated has under its belt the longest running Radio Drama in the Caribbean and the organization continues to collaborate with private agencies as well as public institutions including line Ministries to achieve its objectives. In the most recent series of Street/Forum Theatre performances, Merundoi was invited by the Ministry of Public Health to collaborate in educating In School Youth about physical and mental health issues dealing with varying themes. The main theme of reinforcement however, was to help the students make better choices, decisions, and to be able to solve problems more effectively.
The group, comprising Merundoi team and staff of the Ministry of Public Health, visited Regions 10, 3, and 5 respectively from September 21st to 23rd, 2015 during the week celebrating International Day of Peace, to perform two plays; ‘Breaking Free’ (focused on Domestic Violence), and ‘Wake-up call’ (focused on healthy physical lifestyles). The target groups fell between age 13-16yrs. Visits were made to Lichas Hall (Region 10) where several schools were represented, including Patentia Secondary School and Uitvlugt Secondary School (Region 3), followed by Bush Lot Secondary School and Rosignol Secondary School.
The team received a rapturous welcome and during the presentations received feedback from the students. The design of the Street/Forum Theatre activity in this instance focused on the voice of the youth and by the feedback received, it was clear the forum was effective in educating them and providing for them a forum to voice their views and concerns on Domestic Violence and healthy lifestyles while they learn to make better decisions in life.
Merundoi will continue to serve the public through its popular Radio Drama (now in the climax of its fourth season) and Street/Forum theatre as well as through our other activities, including Listening and Discussion Groups (LDGs) and public education in general. The company is grateful to its donors, the European Union, Global Fund and corporate sponsors which include Republic Bank Limited, Edward Beharry & Co. Ltd., Spads Incorporated and Guyana Lottery Company. The organization ‘soft launched’ a new website in August and will be having an official launch event on November 15 (also streaming from any mobile device).
You can listen to your favourite episodes online at ( www.merundoi.org.gy) or share your views on Facebook.