Five hundred kilometers from Bamako in the heart of the Niger Central Delta, the village of Diafarabé is home to 13,500 cattle herders, fishermen and farmers. Though located on the banks of the Niger River, Diafarabé is virtually an island for several months each year —cut off from market access and information of the outside world — due to heavy rains, the rising river and poor infrastructure. A fifty-year-old dike surrounds the town in an attempt to prevent catastrophic flooding during the rainy season.

USAID has created or assisted in the development of 87 community radio stations throughout Mali. Diafarabé opened its radio station with USAID support in late August 2003. The radio stations are community owned and run, as well as administered by boards - which must have community-wide representation including women board members - elected by the community.