Ethiopian journalist Tadesse Adela reports on the lives of orphaned children who use memory books to cope with the loss of their parents to HIV-related illnesses. The Ethiopian Orphans of AIDS Foundation estimates that there are more than 1 million children in the country who have lost one or both their parents to AIDS. Children are often left to raise younger siblings or live with grandparents. Memory books, which contain photos, family stories and family assets, help orphans remember their parents and can protect their inheritance. For this story, Adela has interviewed a girl who lost both her parents to HIV-related illnesses. “I used clips of her singing and playing games…so that listeners can get a real sense of what it’s like to be a child in that situation,” he says.   

Tadesse has been reporting on HIV in his country for five years and is convinced of the importance of good radio journalism in confronting the epidemic. “Obviously, I hope reports like this will change attitudes, but it will take time,” he said.

His story has helped him to get accepted into an international training course, “Creative Ways of Informing People” at the Radio Netherlands Training Center in Holland.