Vivra Verra (Time Will Tell) Radio Drama

Vivra Verra was created using the Sabido entertainment-education methodology, which is based on the understanding that long-running dramas are a powerful vehicle to introduce audiences to important social concepts. According to PMC, "Change is the key to the Sabido methodology. Characters may begin the series exhibiting the antithesis of the values being taught, but through interaction with other characters, twists and turns in the plot, and sometimes even outside intervention, come to see the value of the program’s underlying message." (For more information, see Related Summaries below.)

The Vivra Verra drama is designed to help change cultural norms and improve the understanding of available health resources by opening conversations about child health, reproductive and maternal health, children's education, and gender equality. The drama seeks to empower people with information and choice to promote healthier families and family planning, with the ultimate goal of promoting economic and social development.

The drama is being developed around 4 key storylines, each developed to address a different key issue:

Kunka's story: Gender-based Violence
This is the story of Old Goliath - an arrogant, pretentious, chronic alcoholic, his wife Vindi, and their only son, Kunka. Kunka's parents are always fighting and their son becomes the target of their wrath. Enduring a living hell, Kunka stops going to school and suffers mentally. An aunt ends up helping Kunka, who emerges from his trauma, finds the will to live, and resumes his education.

Faro's story: Maternal and Child Health
This storyline is about a a young trader named Faro and his wife, Ngala. Mama Petoto, Faro’s mother, lives next to her son and daughter-in-law. She is a traditionalist, who believes that modern prenatal care is a waste of money and Faro agrees with his mother. When Ngala becomes pregnant, she develops complications in her third trimester. Barred from seeking modern medical care, Ngala dies during childbirth. Faro is left to care for the baby on is own, and he becomes an advocate for maternal and child health.

Sinke's story: Adolescent Reproductive Health, Education
Sinke is a naïve girl of 14 who lives with her parents, who view education as a priority. Sinke develops a relationship with Mbata, an older man and taxi driver. Despite efforts from her parents and tutor to convince Sinke to stay in school, her grades and behaviour deteriorate as she becomes more involved with Mbata. Sinke gets pregnant and the baby dies from complications caused by her young age. Her family continues to support her, and Sinke escapes the relationship and resolves to fight for child protection and against early sex.

Koni's story: Maternal Health
Mato extorts money from friends and his work and spends it on alcohol rather than on supporting his family. Even though they can’t afford it, he pushes his wife to have more children. His behaviour gets him into trouble with loan brokers and his employers, and he ends up losing his job which has negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of his growing family. In the end, his wife Koni takes charge of the situation, implementing family planning and convincing Mato to take responsibility for his debts, his job, and his family.

In order to inform the drama and evaluate progress, research will be conducted before, during, and after the radio dramas are broadcast. This research will consist of telephone interviews with listeners, clinic monitoring, and quantitative (impact) research immediately following the broadcast of the series.

Reproductive Health, Maternal Health, Child Health, Family Planning, Education, and Gender-based Violence.

As of 2013, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked as second to last of all countries on the Human Development index. The DRC also has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, and PMC explains that these two facts are directly connected. PMC works to address human health and human rights issues, which are key factors in lowering fertility.