A revealing picture of what life is like for the 2/3 of the world's kids living and growing up very quickly in developing countries. This is a free flowing piece, a collage of voices, from Africa and Central America. It consists of interviews with all the parties involved, from the kids themselves, to the parents to the NGOs who aim to help them. The kids interviews are often translated/read in english by Western kids which is a effective juxtaposition. The parents featured often expressed pride that their kids can contribute to the families wellbeing; the NGO's offer a pragmatic view of their work in developing countries, which recognises the needs of the families involved whilst trying to encourage/enable school attendance etc to improve.

Could make a powerful contribution to a program focusing on western kids lives, or any program dealing with issues facing the developing world HW.

It begins with this girl quoting her economics teacher: I grew up in the 60's and I understand how you feel, but there isn't going to be a revolution... - whoa...! all of a sudden "Question authority " is a theme, again.
I haven't heard anything like this on radio for a long time except for the occasional focused youth radio program.
Its real, coherent, and FRANK FRANK FRANK. There are a lot of kids pissed off about the way things are moving and that's pretty inspiring.The issues are so now and I hope that kids are scanning the radio Sunday night.
It has the straight up in-your-face feel of all the shows my daughter likes to watch but the CONTENT ! I'm actually listening with interest to the content. and not just because I'm eavesdropping on what my kid is into which is about how I feel listening to what she's watching. and also, it's funny, ready to laugh - Mo Rocca is the right host..
The voices are so coherent, and they come from a pretty vast selection - not just kids from the debate team. This could air again, targeting a younger audience and I can't wait to hear what the call-ins will be. NO lie.
VM

The sound quality is a little rough, but it's just great hearing this guy's insightful two cents on those valuable rules. sl

Excellent report on a variety of critical voting issues: the pros and cons of electronic voting machines; the disparity of voting conditions in poorer communities; the struggle of those with felony convictions to recover their vote. The reporting is thorough and well-rounded, the narrative flows, the tape compelling. In the public interest, and a reminder to apathetic or discouraged voters, that for the disenfranchised, the vote is a precious, hard-won privilege. sl

Panel discussions do not make for the most sound-rich radio, but that aside, this conversation with reporters who’ve spent time in the Balkans and Iraq is well worth hearing for its thoughtful content. Where our soldiers and tax dollars go, our attention likewise should remain. This program is food for thought. sl

Interesting report, well recorded and well-chosen tape makes you feel like you’re sitting right there, jawing with the locals. A good warm-up piece for election season. sl

A brief but useful warm-up report preps us for the debate that follows. Two impassioned, intelligent, opinionated gents have at this meaty topic, spurred on by thoughtful questions and Adler's skilled hosting and pointed questions. This is what I'd call public service programming at its lively best. sl

Predisposed to finding Al Franken right-on hilarious, this reviewer is utterly biased. Funny, pointed, angry, astute words. Let him rip, he rips. Great stuff. Confession: wrote this review in the first three minutes, but only in order to sit back and happily listen. sl

Moving, quiet piece. The narrator brings us inside with her sadness and feelings of loss. One hopes her mother can hear her heart. Good for any aged people to hear honest reflection by a young writer. sl

Good, clear reporting accompanied by lively soundbed and an excellent range of community voices. Immigrant communities around the country have these very problems, so this piece would be valuable listening for much of the nation. Education has lost coverage since our latest war, but it's still a pressing concern for voters, so it will be forever timely. sl

National media often give short shrift to labor issues, so this is a welcome piece of work. Good range of voices, context, information, and detail. We get a real feeling for the issues at hand and for why the union-immigrant partnership is so crucial to the labor movement. sl

Beautifully produced journey through a new teacher’s first year in an urban school. Esme’s frank thoughts and vivid descriptions are well served by her personable delivery, whether imitating students, other adults, or herself. She’s a great guide to her own experience – good company, a wise and generous observer, an engaging speaker. The music accents are superb. sl

Well-paced tour hither and yon through new and alternative energy technologies. Explanations are simple and clear enough for even an utterly non-science oriented listener, such as myself, to tag along without brain strain. Lots to learn here. sl

Lovely portrait-in-brief of this musician, in her own words, scored with gorgeous examples of pipa music. Good refresh-the-senses piece. sl

A lovely, reflective visit with a series of sisters of different generations underscored with lovely piano music. A good piece to drop in any old where you have a few minutes to fill. Refreshing. sl