By George Esunge Fominyen
Towards the end of January 2009, I recieved a mail from the editorial team of Global Voices online about a meme to "teach someone you love to blog or mini-blog" on the occasion of Valentine's day. That was a dream action to take but I couldn't. As they say better late than never. On the occasion of a workshop organised for community radio broadcasters in Grand Bassam - Côte d'Ivoire, I decided to spread the blogging gospel. That's how my colleague, Judith Lenti Sidibé and I set up Bassamony!
Bassamony is a blend of "Bassam" the locality which played host to the workshop on the "oral testimony" radio production. My idea was to get the participants recount how they were living the workshop. In so doing I hoped to get them interested in blogging.
On the first day, I realised none knew what a blog was. Blogging was of course not the focus of the workshop. I could not start running a parrarel workshop.
I opted for one-on-one coaching. We drew a schedule indicating which participant had to blog when. In the mornings I discussed ideas with the bloggers of the day and explained what a blog was about and how useful it could be. In the evening I edited the texts with each person , giving guidance about the tone and style of blogging in contrast to pure journalism.
On the morning of Tuesday 24 February when the group saw the first blog post - the excitement and joy was moving! I had hardly ever seen more gleeful faces. Everyone else wanted to learn how to do it and was waiting for their day to come.
Ouf! What relief!
The night had been pretty long because the internet connection wasn't working. In fact I had been so downcast - faced by the inability to upload videos that were shot and produced to support the personal stories. With a heavy heart, I had to accept that not all aspects of my plan would work. Yes, we couldn't do a live blog as I had hoped and I would have to upload the videos only when I am in back in Dakar or a place where the internet connection is good enough.
But all that gloom dissappeared as I read the joy in all the eyes in front of me.
Soon, it was no longer in the morning and evenings that I was sharing issues to do with blogging. It was evey break-time. I was solicited by those itching to be reasured that their previous post was good enough and others who wanted to set up their own blog account.
Wow! I felt like shouting out these words: "How COOOOOOL it is to teach someone to blog!".
By Friday 27 February, two had taken the plunge and created their own sites. But they are still unsure about it - reason why they got me into promising that I would not share their addresses for now. God! They are so keen to continue learning and exchanging with me online...
When Judith and I were creating Bassamony, I was not sure about how it would end. Today I can tell you that these reporters and producers have promised to maintain "their" blog. Maybe they would like to copy their countryman Israel Yoroba Guébo who has just won a prize on blogging organised by the Panos Institute West Africa.
Of course, I know maintaining a blog needs an extra effort and determination. Yes, I am aware an internet connection is not the most accessible thing in some parts of the African hinterland where some of these guys are based. But I want to believe that they would stay true to their promise. Is there any harm in hoping?
It makes me so happy to read this story! Welcome to all new bloggers and thank you George for sharing the experience.
Posted by: Solana | March 02, 2009 at 04:38 PM
May the blogging gospel continue till many more are touched!I am proud to say you introduced me to blogging and today it's like a part of me.Thanks hubby!
Posted by: mabs | March 07, 2009 at 12:51 AM
I had hoped and I would have to upload the videos only when I am in back in Dakar or a place where the internet connection is good enough.
Posted by: find out more | December 06, 2012 at 12:01 AM