The Team arrives in Burundi!

Search for Common Ground’s pioneering soap opera series, The Team, will be coming next to Burundi!  This month marks the launch of campaign activities to raise awareness of the show and its themes. The campaign is targeting Burundian youth in particular, encouraging them to live in harmony with diverse groups of people and to recognize and challenge political manipulation, which has been an issue in the country since the civil war in the 1990s and the subsequent transition to democracy. The campaign’s slogan is: Rwaruka, murashaka Uburundi burangwamwo amahoro? Irinde ibibacanishamwo!  Youth, do you want a peaceful Burundi? Avoid manipulations!

 The Team is a SFCG project that combines the global appeal of football with the soap opera format in order to help transform social attitudes and reduce violent behavior in countries dealing with deeply entrenched conflicts. The series airs on television and radio in more than sixteen African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries.  .  Every production of The Team centers around members of a football team who must overcome their differences—whether cultural, ethnic, religious, tribal, racial or socio-economic—in order to work together and be successful.

The Team rings true for viewers, given that all of the series are created and produced locally. Actors and scriptwriters, many of whom have experienced violent conflict and divisions firsthand, are drawn from local populations. Local production houses and technicians take the lead, with additional technical assistance and support from Common Ground Productions.

The Burundian version of The Team is entitled Intamenwa! (“The Indivisibles!”) to be broadcast on radio. The radio series will be broadcast twice-weekly on some of the country’s most popular radio stations: Radio Isanganiro, RTNB, Rema and Bonesha . The show revolves around two boys, Muravyo and Doddy, from completely different social backgrounds. Muravyo is from a very poor family and has a difficult life but is an exceptionally talented football player.  Doddy comes from a wealthy family, likes going out and does not have to worry about his future. Nevertheless they play on the same football team and face many obstacles: money, love, manipulation, and politics.

Those of you in Burundi can listen to the show here:

Ø  Rema FM : Monday and Thursday at 19H30 and 19H 45

Ø  Radio Isanganiro : Thursday and Sunday at 20H30 and 20H 45

Ø  Radio Télévision Nationale du  Burundi: Thursday and Sunday at 20H30 and 20H 45

Ø  Radio Bonesha : Tuesday and Wednesday at Mardi 20H05 and 20H20

Because politicians are responsible for ensuring peace for the next generation, SFCG will provide them with a platform to speak to the nation. They will be asked to send out messages of peace on radio and television. The campaign will also provide an opportunity for youth from the provinces of Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie and Bubanza to display their musical talents, spreading messages of peace, tolerance and cohabitation. The campaign will conclude with a festival in the Burundian capital of  Bujumbura.

Learn More about our Program in Burundi or about The Team series!

You can also check out SFCG Burundi on Facebook