Fr. Freeborn Kibombwe, OMI;  Mongu, Zambia

Oblate Radio Liseli facility, Mongu, Zambia

Oblate Radio Liseli (105.3FM) will clock five years on June 11, 2010. Five years ago the radio station was officially launched by our current Superior General the Very Reverend Guillermo Steckling, OMI with the former Provincial Minister for Western Province Honorable Dr. Sipula Kabanje. 

Though five years have passed the words of the Superior General ring true today when he said, “The realization of this dream [of Radio Liseli] has not been without its trials and difficulties, but the vision, passion and courage of this young Oblate Delegation have left nothing undared in realizing this noble purpose. Our Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod, would truly be proud of his sons for sparing no efforts in bringing the Good News of 
Jesus Christ to the people of Western Province.” 

Like any other anniversary this is a moment of thanksgiving for us as Oblates as well as our lay collaborators. We thank God the Trinity Communicator par excellence for inspiring us with this vision to spread the light of Christ here in Western Province. Our presence as Oblates is relevant and will be needed. Furthermore as we continue to grow and expand not only in numbers but in our vision and outreach. We are full of excitement with fresh discoveries as we continue to follow the dream of being a multi-media center that will host video production, local and traditional music production as well as a printing press. 

We are indeed growing and continue to partner with many. On April 7, 2010, Radio Liseli and Radio Deustche Welle of Germany signed a partnership agreement where our radio station will be rebroadcasting English programmes. Among the programmes permitted to be rebroadcast include “Learning by Ear.” The radio station has already received about 132 episodes of “Learning by Ear.” The programme covers different topics on careers, malaria, HIV/AIDS and many more. 

This partnership came as a result of a three weeks intensive seminar organized by Deustche Welle in Lusaka where they nominated one of our journalists from Oblate Radio Liseli to train in financial and business reporting. 

While our organization structure has remained the same, we are confident of 
our growth and the friendships we have created with traditional leaders, government, non-governmental organizations and ecumenical interactions with other Christian churches that offer their programmes and music on our radio station. We value each and every one of them. 

Like a child who is eager to learn a new set of skills and ask many questions and always persistent when it wants to learn, we too are eager to learn new skills and possibilities and ask questions; how effective have we been in the last five years? What can we do to improve and do better? I hope the next five years will help us answer these two crucial questions.