A thank you note to LRV’s readers and partners

By Bob Aston

The Laikipia Rural Voices (LRV) which is supported by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre would like to thank the many individuals and the Citizen Journalism Reporters who graciously assisted in making 2013 a success.

Laikipia Rural Voices was started by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) in 2011. This was an initiative aimed at promoting community journalism by training young people in basic Journalism skills such as photojournalism, News writing, Creative writing, Feature writing, Interviewing, Online journalism and Media Laws and Ethics.

LRV stand during Sokopepe launch

Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) has so far trained more than eighty (80) individuals on basic journalism skills in Ng’arua. Through Laikipia Rural Voices the Citizen reporters post their stories on any issue of importance to the local community ensuring that these issues get highlighted and in a number of cases acted upon by concerned authorities.

The training was anchored on ALIN’s core business of using ICT’s to improve the livelihoods of arid lands communities through the use of modern information and communication technologies.

“We could not make it without the support and loyalty of our readers. My warmest thank you goes to all our dear readers. Please continue visiting our blog every day,” said Robert Eyapan.

Laikipia Rural Voices gives the Sipili and the larger Laikipia County communities a platform where they can share their own stories as well as giving them an opportunity to be part of a global community of men and women who are passionate about development news.

“Thank you our readers for trusting us. Together with my fellow Citizen Reporters, we promise to do our very best to give you news on events happening in Sipili and its environs. It was really a pleasure knowing that a lot of people were depending on us to give them information,” said Jane Kariuki.

Ng'arua Maarifa stand during Sokopepe launch

The LRV Reporters have worked hard this year and their dedication has paid off. This year the Citizen Reporters have managed to post 91 articles. The number of articles written has been on the rise. In 2012 the Citizen reporters posted 76 stories while in 2011 the number of articles posted was 34.

Laikipia Rural Voices has also seen an increase in number of visitors in the blog. The blog has already registered more than 30,400 visitors with more than 18,000 page views.

“We could not achieve this success without you as our readers. Your satisfaction is our number one concern and we promise to stay reliable,” said Jane Waigura.

The Citizen Journalism training supported by the Ford Foundation and with a goal to support sustainable models for livelihoods development, to help poor people increase income, accumulate assets, enhance resilience and move out of poverty.

“We truly appreciate the contribution of our readers. We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us,” said Ephantus Kiptanui.

The long term goal of Laikipia Rural Voices is to ensure that there is effective citizen participation in policy dialogue and that the voices of Citizen Reporters are heard globally.

“You are our inspiration in doing our very best. Thank you and remember we value you,” said Moses Ndungu.

Laikipia Rural Voices would like to welcome our readers’ feedback, your critism and your opinions as they hold more value for us than from anyone else. LRV also values your contribution.

Laikipia Rural Voices looks forward to even greater community involvement in 2014. Those who are interested in Citizen Journalism will always be welcome to Ng’arua Maarifa Centre. LRV would love for you to join them. Jump on in, tell your story and see how it connects with someone on the other side of the world.

Laikipia Rural Voices is looking forward to serve you next year. Thanks for choosing Laikipia Rural Voices and giving them an opportunity to serve you. This being the last blog post in 2013, Laikipia Rural Voices would like to wish all their readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless you.