Karasabai residents now have access to local radio through EDYOU FM

The Education Ministry’s radio station, EDYOU FM, has turned on its radio signal in the Indigenous community of Karasabai in the South Pakaraima community of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and residents now have access to local radio for the very first time.
This is in keeping with EDYOU FM’s ongoing efforts to expand its network and bring distance education to people across the country. Villagers now have access to daily lessons for multiple levels in various subject areas, and over ten diverse live shows cover topics such as education, health, sports, women’s empowerment, history, current affairs, and aspects of Guyanese culture.
Locally known as “the home of the Sun Parakeets”, Karasabai has approximately 1600 residents, predominantly Macushis, who usually had limited internet services. As such, they have never been able to enjoy access to television, telephone, and radio signals, a phenomenon EDYOU FM intends to change with the introduction of its radio station into the community’s scope of services.
“This is yet another commitment we have honoured. See, we are using every opportunity and technology afforded us to reach children all across this country,” Education Minister Priya Manickchand related.
Headteacher of the Karasabai Nursery School, Melissa Beaton, also resident in the village, has commended the development while noting its potential benefits to the schools in particular.
“Once the radio is linked to our schools, it will serve as a mode of positive reinforcement, and we will also be able to listen to current affairs of our country, other than people coming to tell us. The children will have the opportunity to listen to stories, songs, poems, and lessons over the radio,” Beaton said.
Since radio is new to Karasabai, EDYOU FM has recognized the need for devices to be installed in the schools and community, and is committed to adding the village to its distribution list for where the station will deliver radios.
In a similar move back in March, EDYOU FM had broadened its reach in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), within Kamarang and riverine communities along the Mazaruni River, including Paruima, Waramadong, Kako, Jawalla, Philippi and Imbaimadai. Through this initiative, thousands of students and residents were able to benefit from a local radio station, 99.9 FM, for the first time, using radios that EDYOU FM, in collaboration with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), had distributed.