Where the signal means more: Inside the DEU’s mission to keep Kato connected
Written by EDYOU FM Staff on September 10, 2026
High above the ground, through a network of towers, antennas and cables, a signal travels across the landscape and into the homes of people in Kato.
For many, it may simply be the sound of a radio programme coming through the speakers. But in this remote Region Eight community, that signal carries something much greater—it brings education, information, entertainment and a connection to the wider country.
Keeping that connection alive, however, takes people.Among them is Neil Eversley, Rigging Supervisor, whose work involves maintaining the tower, antennas, feeder cables and other equipment that keep the radio and television stations broadcasting.
His workplace is unlike most. Kato is a remote community accessible only by aircraft, making even the simple task of getting tools and supplies to the transmission site a challenge. Yet, the work must continue.
Every component has a role to play, and every maintenance check helps ensure that the signal remains on-air. Supporting that effort is Education Officer Karen Abraham, who regularly checks in to ensure the radio is operating and submits daily reports to support maintenance and timely repairs.
Together, their work happens largely behind the scenes. Listeners may never see the tower or know who is responsible for keeping the equipment running, but they experience the result every time they tune in.
And for the people of Kato, that connection matters.
Educators in the region say EdYou FM and the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) provide hinterland students with access to educational content comparable to what is available to students on the coast.
For secondary school students, expanded programming offers additional resources to support their studies. For children in remote areas, radio can bring learning directly into the community.
But the relationship between Kato and the radio extends beyond the classroom.The radio is also a source of entertainment, cultural identity and information. It is a familiar presence that connects the community to stories, ideas and experiences beyond its immediate surroundings.
That is what makes the work at the transmission site so important.
Behind every broadcast is a network of people, equipment and dedication working together to keep the signal moving. And somewhere in Kato, when that signal reaches a home, a student can listen, learn, stay informed or simply hear something familiar.The tower may stand quietly in the background.The people maintaining it may work largely unseen.But the connection they help preserve reaches far beyond the equipment. Because in Kato, the signal means more.
