[HCDX] Myanmar keeps in touch with Christian radio
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[HCDX] Myanmar keeps in touch with Christian radio



Myanmar keeps in touch with Christian radio
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=122&id=1
9431&t=Myanmar+keeps+in+touch+with+Christian+radio

Radio Veritas Asia keeps the people of Asia in touch with the rest of the 
world. The Catholic radio service, based in the Philippines, also serves 
Kayin Christians in Burma, most of whom are Evangelicals and other 
Protestants.


Hong Kong youths log onto the Internet, children in Tokyo use their mobile 
phones and many Delhi kids have scores of cable TV channels to entertain 
them. But for the Kayin, or Karen, ethnic people in Myanmar, a cheap 
US$10 radio is their "hi-tech" link to communications and entertainment. 
Here you'll find many Kayin with "Made in China" radios tuned to Radio 
Veritas Asia's (RVA) Kayin service.

The RVA, based in Quezon City north of Manila and sponsored by the 
Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, has provided a Kayin-language 
service for over 25 years. Its Catholic programs have become a source of 
spiritual strength and information to thousands of Kayin Christians, most of 
whom are Protestant.

The programs include reflections on the Bible, meditations, family and youth 
issues, question and answer sessions on spirituality, sessions on the lives of 
the saints, local news and Kayin culture.

Anthony Htun Mya, 45, from Hkaungpu-Bawsi in Hpa-pun Township, Kayin 
State, who was on a visit to Yangon, is one such listener. He is a regular 
follower of Radio Veritas' shortwave early morning and evening services.

In his village, the programs are virtually the only window to the outside world, 
he said. There, all the Catholic and Baptist villagers regularly tune in to the 
service.


"Because of the lack of newspapers, magazines and novels, we have all 
come to understand the value of the service, especially since many Kayin 
don't understand the (main) Burmese language properly," he said. "It makes 
us especially happy to hear religious news broadcasts in the Kayin 
language."

Htun said he really enjoys listing to the Kayin songs which are relaxing and 
help him unwind after a tiring day at work. But homilies are his favorite.

Regular Kayin-language services are broadcast seven days a week from 
6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Of the two Kayin languages, Pwo 
Kayin is broadcast only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the rest are in 
Sagaw Kayin.

Mahn Paul, 50, from Myaungmya is a composer and in charge of recording 
at the Thoo-lay-phaw Kayin Studio at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Yangon. 
He also contributes to programs. "I've been listening to the programs for 25 
years," he said. "It's especially delightful to compose songs for the program 
and I will be trying my best to come up with more modern songs."

Such is the popularity of the service that loud speakers are placed at the 
Sts. Peter and Paul Bible School, so all those in the compound or in the 
vicinity can hear the broadcasts.

Plans are also afoot to provide a Kayin language support center at Sts. Peter 
and Paul Church where Kayin listeners can send requests and suggestions 
for the service. Internet and digital facilities will also be available when the 
center comes into operation.

Elizabeth Hla Hla Nwe 42, a listener from the village of Outsu, Twantay 
Township, said: "I have been listening to the RVA for more than 15 years 
and I love the programs on spirituality. Birthday song requests, homilies and 
the program on the lives of the saints are also my favorites."

However, the broadcasts serve other needs as well. She said she and fellow 
villagers also have also "learned more about other things such as health 
issues and the use of medicines, which is very important when you consider 
the scarcity of doctors and nurses in remote areas."

Retired Archbishop Gabriel Thohey Mahn Gaby, former archbishop of 
Yangon, established the Kayin radio service on April 1, 1982. At present, 
Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein and Bishop Raymond Saw Po Ray of 
Mawlamyine oversee the Kayin broadcasts.

RVA, which broadcasts in 15 languages across Asia, is the only continental 
Catholic shortwave station in the world. It celebrated 40 years of 
broadcasting in April.

Please read and distribute this 15 year research article 
http://tinyurl.com/5vzg7e 

Please read my article on SINPO at http://tinyurl.com/yt7qjd
________________________
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........
Zacharias Liangas , Thessaloniki Greece 
greekdx @ otenet dot gr  ---  
Pesawat penerima: ICOM R75 , Lowe HF150 , Degen 1102,1103,108,
Tecsun PL200/550, Chibo c300/c979, Yupi 7000 
Antenna: 16m hor, 2x16 m V invert, 1m australian loop 

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