Jach b'al Re Loq' b™al K'u'x (The Love Recycle)

- August 25, 2008 - PCI-Media Impact, a not-for-profit organization that produces social change television and radio programs around the world, was recently awarded Outstanding Photograph by InterAction for James Rodriguez's snapshot of Guatemalan children participating in a clean-up of their neighborhood in San Pedro, Guatemala.

To address the unhealthy waste management practices in rural Mayan-Quiche speaking Guatemala, PCI-Media Impact partnered with local radio stations and local organization La Asociacion Juventud Kiche to produce the radio serial drama Jach b'al Re Loq' b'al K'u'x (The Love Recycle). The drama featured two of PCI-Media Impact's most recognizable character types: Chelly, an 18 year old woman who wants to improve the earning potential of her father's farm, and Don Tavo, Chelly's father who become ill after struggling to make the farm a success. The drama unfolds as the Tavo family attempts and fails in attempt after attempt to raise different crops. With no success, the family starts recycling inorganic materials and finally establishes a secure income for the family.

The drama was at the core of the radio magazine, Uj Mox pero Uj saq (Crazy but Clean), which featured not only the radio drama, but also call-in discussions with experts in environmental protection and conversation and recycling. From the radio program, the local communities of El Quiche, Totonicapan, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, San Marcos and Coban changed their attitudes toward the environment. The program mobilized local youth, who listened to the program in school each day, to organize a clean up of their towns. The award-winning photograph captures one of those initiatives.

"Rodriguez's photograph depicts PCI-Media Impact's work to build grassroots social movements around some the greatest issues facing the world. Through this innovative program, we have energized a new generation of youth leaders and environmentalists. Most importantly, the message that environmental stewardship can be a fun, social activity for children is coming through loud in clear in this amazing photograph," explains Michael Castlen, Executive Director of PCI-Media Impact.

Jach b'al Re Loq b'al K'u'x is just one of the 46 radio serial dramas PCI-Media Impact has produced in Latin America in the last four years through its My Community program. My Community empowers underserved communities through PCI-Media Impact's communication for social change methodology. The design of My Community allows each community to establish sustainable public awareness campaigns around health and economic development. Currently, PCI-Media Impact has 11 radio serial dramas being broadcast throughout Latin America.

About PCI-Media Impact
Since 1985, PCI-Media Impact's programs have addressed the root causes of poverty and have encouraged people to make choices that lead to better health and sustainable development. Working with local partners worldwide, PCI-Media Impact produces carefully researched and culturally sensitive radio and television dramas that combine the power of storytelling with the reach of broadcast media. For more information, please visit PCI-Media Impact's website at www.pci-mediaimpact.org

For more information contact: Michael Castlen mcastlen@pci-mediaimpact.org or at +1 (212) 687-3366

PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact is at the forefront of innovative social change communications programming. Its pioneering approach uses creative media, the power of storytelling and the reach of broadcast media to mobilize individual, community and political action in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, environmental conservation and sustainable development, human rights and democracy.

For over twenty years, its programming has captured people's imagination. Media Impact has trained hundreds of organizations and community leaders in the effective use of media. Working with media professionals, it has completed more than 242 productions, including radio and television serial dramas, comic books, documentaries and public service announcements reaching hundreds of millions of people in 27 countries around the world.

From Mexico to India, Kenya to China, Media Impact has been: "Telling Stories, Saving Lives." For more information, please visit the website at www.mediaimpact.org.

PCI Media Impact Videos:

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Click here to watch Taru Has Changed My Life: Educational Radio Soap Opera

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