All pictures taken from KCR
Upon graduation from NTU, one of my good friend, Xai went back to his country, Laos, to work for the United Nations to set up a community radio station.
Laos is a small agricultural country with a population size of around 6 million people. Frankly speaking, before I got to know Xai, the only thing I know about Laos is that it is one of the rare few surviving communist regime in the world.
Xai had set up a blog for the Khoun Community Radio. Do take a look to catch a glimpse of life in Laos’ countryside.
I am particularly intrigued by the entry on “KCR Idol“.
Here’s what it is about:
The station had become a stage when a singing contest was organized as part of on-going activities, leading to the station launch, 22nd October 2007. Sixty-four people turned up for audition. They had to perform one song in front of a panel of judges. There are 4 categories, Hmong, Khmu, Lao Loum, and Children. After the audition, 7 people for each category would be selected for the final round. A winner from each category will receive a Sony radio (worth more US$100!), station T-shirt, and a chance to record his/her voice in our studio!
A simple radio is all the incentive they need for the grand prize. Shame on you Amercian Idols.
Technorati Tags: khoun community radio, laos, united nations, xai, hmong, khmu, lao loum, sony radio, american idols
