International Save the Children Alliance
Carlos in Angola
Journalist Carlos Mezenga reports from Angola, November 2007
All About Child Reporter, Carlos Mezenga
"The Angolan people are wonderful. I love my country. But I wish the adults would treat the children a bit better." Carlos makes children's radio, helping to put the spotlight on the rights of minors in a country still working hard to get back on its feet.
"Oh no. Ay ay ay!!! I don't want to see it. Switch it off," Carlos cries out, as we show him a clip of the video interview that we have just made with him. He covers his eyes, makes a face, and firmly pushes the ‘stop' button. Carlos is rather unlike most children in Angola. He hates to watch himself on pictures, and prefers to avoid his own mirror image. But when it comes to politics and children's rights, he does not hold back.
Carlos is 17 years old, and has lived in Angola all his life. Since 2004, he has worked as a child reporter at the local radio station in the town of Uíge. Every Sunday, his programme attracts about 10,000 listeners, both young and old.
"The adults used to believe children had nothing interesting to say. Our radio has shown that they do, and our programmes help make a difference, creating debate," says Carlos.
The radio project consists of 15 boys and 12 girls, who together make up the editorial staff headed by Carlos. The group is supervised by an adult coordinator, and the project has been supported by Save the Children, among others. The radio programmes are about children's rights, and deliver critical contributions, homing in on issues such as child abuse, HIV/AIDS and the importance of going to school. And this is sorely needed in Angola.
"To me, education is the most important thing for children. Without education, Angola is nothing. And without education, people grow up becoming dangerous for the country. Then many will fight and steal, whereas with education, our country improves."
A bit of a child prodigy
Carlos does not just produce radio. He also attends school. At present, he is in 10th grade, and lives with his parents and five siblings. When events are held around Uíge, he often appears on the scene. Not just as a researcher for the radio, but also to get the fun going. In that, he is a true master.
"Are you feeling good?!"
"YEAAAAH!!!!"
"Are you feeling good?!"
"YEAAAAH!!!!"
Carlos has just gathered 250 schoolchildren in a big circle, placing himself in the middle. And within a few minutes, he has created an atmosphere that would make the cheering of any crowd of football fans pale by comparison. The sound level is on maximum, as the children shout, giggle, and scream. Carlos has them in the palm of his hand, and all attention is on his next move. Carlos loves kids, he says, but he is not going to get married and have his own any time soon.
"Only when I am 30," he says. "People here in Angola get children far too early. I want to focus on my education."
Making good progress
Carlos knows about the importance of education; his mother is a teacher, as was his father, before he passed away last summer. Nevertheless, during the Angolan civil war, Carlos was unable to go to school. He is old enough to remember that period, but does everything he can to forget it.
"I don't like to talk about it. It was something awful that happened in the past. Why talk about it now, when the country is making good progress?" Suddenly, Carlos is somewhat lost for words.
For the same reason, the radio programmes do not deal with the time during the armed conflict. This is not a topic of conversation in Angola. When the war is mentioned, people look down at the ground, and a cold shadow crosses the room. Instead, the Angolans prefer to look ahead, holding on to the hope of a brighter future, one that Carlos is also helping to shape. The radio programme is slowly turning around a deep-rooted mindset about children that still holds sway in Angola.
I want to tell stories
"My dream is to become a journalist. It has been ever since I was a tiny little boy. I want to tell others about my thoughts and ideas."