Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I'm Robin Basselin.
Voice 2
And I'm Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Many people believe that football is the world's most popular sport. And right now, people all over the world are especially excited about football. This is the final week of the FIFA World Cup - the most important international football competition. And for the first time ever, the World Cup is being played in Africa.
Voice 2
The continent of Africa is very large and diverse. It has many different countries, cultures and peoples. However, one thing is the same all over Africa: Africa loves football! This love for football has a long history. And recently, this love has made one new television show very popular. The show is called "The Team." It started in Kenya and is spreading throughout Africa and even into Middle East. Today's Spotlight is on "The Team" television series and its desire to change societies.
Voice 1
In late 2007 and early 2008, the country of Kenya experienced great conflict. After a disputed election, there were large riots. In less than two months, almost 1000 people died in the fighting between tribal groups. This kind of violence is not common in Kenya. It is usually a very peaceful country. However, the riots clearly showed that tribal conflict still exists.
Voice 2
After the riots, one organization wanted to do something to address the problem of tribal conflict in Kenya. The organization is called SFCG. The letters mean 'Search for Common Ground'. SFCG is an international, non-governmental organization. Its goal is to change the way the world reacts to conflict. The organization's website explains how they do this.
Voice 3
"We work with local organizations in local cultures. We want to help communities grow stronger in solving conflicts. We want to help people understand their differences and act on their common ideas."
Voice 1
SFCG decided to work with the organization Media Focus on Africa Foundation. The two organizations created a radio-television program to deal with issues of conflict in Kenya. They knew how popular football was, so they decided to base the program's story on a football team. The program is written by Kenyan writers. The writers are encouraged to write stories based on experiences of conflict from their own lives.
Voice 2
The characters on "The Team" are members of the Imani Football Club. Imani means 'faith' in the local language. All the characters are played by Kenyan actors. They represent the many different kinds of people in Kenya. The characters come from different regions or tribes. Some are rich, some are poor, some are women and some are men. Together, these very different Kenyan football players have to work as a team.
Voice 1
The founder of SFCG is John Marks. He spoke with the sports news organization ESPN. He explained the show's basic idea.
Voice 4
"The message is simple: If they do not play together, they will not score goals...Our show uses football to communicate a simple message to the nation: Citizens must work together. They must put away old differences so that the country can make progress."
Voice 2
The show's idea is simple, but the issues the characters deal with are complex. There are economic issues, issues between tribes, issues between men and women... Kenyans live through such issues every day. And that is one of the reasons "The Team" has become so popular in Kenya. "The Team" plays on Kenya's most popular television station. And it is one of Kenya's top ten most popular television programs. "The Team" is also popular on the radio. Each week, an estimated 3,500,000 Kenyans listen to or watch the program.
Voice 1
One of the show's lead actors is Milli Mugadi. Milli plays the female character Johari. Johari is the football team leader - an unusual position for a woman. Milli enjoys playing her character. And she thinks the issues that "The Team" addresses are very important. Milli said,
Voice 5
"The issues discussed in 'The Team' have major meaning in my life. They are the same issues that I struggle with in my life every day. I struggle with tribalism among my very own friends, neighbors and family members. I see so many people that favor people from their tribe. And I see so many unfair and illegal things happening in the government. But the issues of 'The Team' help educate Kenyans to live in a positive way - a way that will lead to a peaceful nation."
Voice 2
"The Team" is in its second season in Kenya. And because the show was so popular in Kenya, SFCG decided to try it in other countries. "The Team" is currently playing in Ivory Coast, Morocco and Ethiopia. And production is beginning in eleven other countries.
Voice 1
In each of the countries, the show is very different. Each country uses actors and writers from that country. The show addresses issues of conflict particular to the country. And in some countries, like Ethiopia, the show is played only on the radio. Each version of "The Team" is created specifically for the particular country. This helps the show better address the needs of local people.
Voice 2
Many people, in many countries, are watching and listening to "The Team." However, some other people are not sure that a television or radio program can stop violence. Often, radio and television are blamed for bringing negative change to a society. Can it work the other way? Can programs like "The Team" start positive social change?
Voice 1
John Marks recognizes that "The Team" may not end violence immediately. He understands that the process of peace is complex. However, he does think "The Team" can be a part of the process. He spoke to the PBS news program "NOW" about the power of "The Team" radio-television program. He said,
Voice 4
"You do not watch one of our television shows and drop your gun. But the show can change the culture so that it becomes more difficult to be in violent conflict."
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