Teenagers learn confidence as they produce radio shows

It can be pretty daunting for a teenage refugee girl from a different country to talk with a stranger on the street.

But it has become second nature to five girls working with the Immigration and Refugee Community Organization and KBOO (90.7 FM) radio during the past six months.

As part of IRCO’s Young Women’s Equity Project, the five girls have learned the ins and outs of the radio business – story development, interviewing, writing, producing, editing and completing programs on various topics. While IRCO helps thousands of people each year simply acclimate to life in the United States, the girls want not only to survive, but also to thrive through college years and adulthood.

The five girls – Uluf Hassan, from Somalia; Liuba (who asked that her last name not to be used), Ukraine; Iryna Prymak, Ukraine; Dina Mohamed, Somalia; and Victoria Khartenenko, Kazakhstan – wrapped up their schooling with IRCO and KBOO recently by producing their sixth radio program, this one about their experiences at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

It’ll air 6-7 p.m. on Aug. 26, and all six, 10-minute programs can be heard on KBOO’s Web site, www.kboo.fm. In addition to the aquarium show, the girls did programs about: Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut; sleep deprivation; food and emergencies; child birth and medical technology; child abuse and cultural differences.

‘I became smarter’

None of the girls seemed unnerved producing the shows, and knowing that thousands of listeners would be hearing their voices and judging their work.

The biggest obstacle was simply talking with strangers.

“Before I wouldn’t go up to a random person on the street,” says Prymak, a David Douglas High senior.

“I used to be shy when talking with people,” adds Hassan, a Wilson High School graduate who now attends Portland Community College. “My teacher (in school) was surprised (that) I’m talking with people now. I became smarter. The more you speak, the more you learn.”

Mohamed, from a Somali family but born in Kenya and raised in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, moved to the U.S. with her parents in 2000. She’s the most culturally adjusted of the group. Even still, the project has helped bring the Madison High grad out of her shell.

She now wants a career in journalism, and she’ll attend Portland State University.

“It was fun being more social,” Mohamed says. “I really didn’t communicate with others before, but, working with the girls, it was fun.”

Liuba’s family left Ukraine, fleeing religious persecution two years ago – a common theme for refugees. So young, but so experienced in life, she still learned much about radio.

“I like reporting, interviewing, doing research,” the Franklin High School grad and PSU student says. “I got a lot of experience, like with critical thinking skills.”

Cuts shelve program

Unfortunately, funding for Young Women’s Equity Project has been cut after four years by the U.S. Department of Education, and the KBOO program has been discontinued. Erin Yanke, the station’s youth advocate, says she wants to continue it, and is looking at applying for grant money.

But she also says the value of the program is evident. Learning the medium, Yanke says, helps young people expand their horizons, “making their world larger.”

“If you get more comfortable asking questions, you would be more comfortable talking to people in general,” Yanke says. “They’ve all got so much better.”

Rowanne Haley, IRCO’s manager of community and donor relations, says the organization helps 8,000 immigrants and refugees each year, of all ages, through various programs. It’s required intervention for refugees, who must prove their state of oppression through a United Nations and State Department process before being allowed in the United States. Haley says the most refugees to go through IRCO’s doors in 2008 came from Myanmar, Nepal, Cuba and Somalia.

It remains to be seen whether the girls will stay in the U.S. beyond school.

Hassan says she might return to Somalia one day, if conflict ever subsides in her country.

Mohamed wants to travel the world. “It’s a good opportunity to be here,” she says. “But, I just want to experience it all.”

Prymak says the U.S. “is more free,” and Liuba adds, “I like it here, but I don’t know how life will turn out.”

If IRCO creates change in people’s life, there is no better example than with young adults who have schooling and lives ahead of them,

“It’s been really successful,” says Lua Masumi, IRCO’s academic support instructor.

Copyright 2009 Pamplin Media Group, 6605 S.E. Lake Road, Portland, OR 97222 • 503-226-6397

By Jason Vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Aug 20, 2009

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