Interviews by Tiffny Rhodius and photos by Jules Gibson
This week we asked the man and woman in the street whether they listen to the radio drama Merundoi and what are their thoughts on the show. Their responses follow:
Jennifer Higgings, pastor – ‘Yes I listen to it. It is a great show and it is great for the young people especially and I think that it is a programme that highlights things that are happening today. It is a good thing that they touch on issues like HIV/AIDS because they enlighten young, old and middle age how to live and be with one partner. I usually listen to the programme as I get spare time. I listen to it on Wednesdays and one and two times I listen to it on Mondays.’
Lisa Hossanah, unemployed – ‘I don’t listen to it, the timing is hard to keep up with and the radio does not be on much in my house. Nobody listens to it only channel 72 all the time. I think they should make it into a television programme.’
Julian Marks, self employed – ‘I don’t listen to the radio at all I’m a TV man but I am aware of the programme.’
Jhaman Kundun, public sector – ‘I used to listen to it but I stop. It became monotonous. Initially when it first came out it was nice. I think they took too long to introduce the HIV part and they keep prolonging the stories and people don’t have the time to listen. They should put more life into it and change things up a bit. But overall it is a nice attempt at a local programme of its nature. They are trying and they should learn from their attempts as they go on.’
Elizabeth Thome, Bank of Guyana employee – ‘I don’t have any time to listen to the radio or the TV for that matter. When I get home it is time for bed. I heard of the programme but I don’t know much about what it is all about and to top it all off my radio is broken.’
Hymwatie Persaud, nurse – ‘I don’t get the time to listen to it because I’m busy with work but I am aware of the programme.’
Herman Harris, retired soldier – ‘I don’t listen to it. I believe in reality I don’t believe in fiction. I feel that you are disciplined enough you can avoid certain things not conducive to you. Programmes like that have their advantages and disadvantages but for me it’s too much like a soap opera.’
Jack Farley, businessman – ‘I hardly have the time to listen to the radio most of the time when it on I’m always busy. It’s a nice programme and I think they should put it on TV when people are at home in the afternoons relaxing.’
Terry Lieben, graphic designer – ‘I’m aware of the programme but I don’t listen to the radio, watch local television or even read the newspaper. I have DirecTV. I don’t listen, read or look at anything local because the crime in this country is depressing. Do you know what it is like to have to wake up and read early in the morning about some crime?’
Shaunee Thompson, UG student – ‘Yes I listen to it. It is a nice educational programme which focuses on issues that are affecting young people of today. It usually offers solutions to solving problems like teenage pregnancy and HIV and so on. I sit down online and listen to it on the internet. On the website you can listen to all the episodes.’