Pioneer of children's radio

By Cristina Alejandra Solares Godoy, UMES Communicator.

On November 20, the United Nations celebrates Universal Children's Day. It was on this date in 1959 that the UN General Assembly approved the declaration of the rights of the child.

Throughout the years there have been agents in favor of the fulfillment of these rights, among them, we can mention María Magdalena González, also known as aunt Magda.

Magdalena founded Radio Petén 53 years ago, with her husband Mariano Colmenares, which she says was the second radio station established in the department. That's when the Child’s World program was born.

“I brought to Petén the music and storytelling records I had, I still didn't know much about radio presenter, but that's how the program started.” aunt Magda commented.

Her program is dedicated to children and consists of 90 minutes of stories and children's songs, among other activities. The program has been extended over time, at the beginning it had a duration of only 30 minutes, but due to the number of requests that arrived daily, it had to be extended.

Just as the United Nations has set aside this day to promote the welfare of children with social and cultural activities, aunt Magda decided to give a moment of her afternoons to the children, an activity that makes her very happy, as she affirms that it is the children who build the future.

Magdalena commented: unfortunately, there are few radio programs dedicated to children, and they deserve to have a nice space in which to be entertained in a healthy way. Anyone who has the privilege of knowing aunt Magda, can affirm that she was gifted with a gift for instructing and captivating children through her stories, because they pay attention to her very easily.

This Universal Children's Day, we thank aunt Magda for her work with children and for all the experiences she has given us with the Child’s World program, which has been an admirable work in our society.

Translated by: Jackeline Lemus

University intern - UMG