This month marks the 12th anniversary of Radio Xob'il Yol Qman Txun, Cultural Survival's community radio station partner in Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala. During the celebration, the executive board gave special thanks to their major partners and commemorated those involved in the station who have passed on.
The members celebrated the founding of a new youth committee within the radio, which includes the participation of young Indigenous women. The committee will be responsible for seeking resources to provide workshops for other youth in the community, to learn about radio, the revitalization of the language, culture, or simply to provide a space for self-expression, away from dangers and distractions . "The participation of youth shows that Xobil Yol will have a long life within our community," explained Rosendo Pablo, coordinator of the station.
The board of directors was also pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Association of Filmmakers from Todos Santos, who founded a local cable television station last month. They have agreed to share audio programs for material on the radio, accompany the radio station in the coverage of local and national events, and combine efforts on fundraising for capacity building.
Juan Matias Ramirez, president of Xob'il Yol, urged members to seek support for these initiatives from the community and other sources to allow them to move forward successfully. "We have sown the seeds, now it is time that we make these ideas grow so that soon, they will give fruit," he urged the audience at the anniversary.
