Radio journalist Eric Beauchemin started making documentaries for the Dutch international service about 10 years ago, when he covered the growing numbers of Africans crossing the Straits of Gibraltar into Europe. A few months later, he was sent to Mozambique and then to cover the war in the former Yugoslavia. But despite having been all over the world by now to cover man’s more desperate deeds, it is Africa which has always exerted the strongest pull on his heart. As Eric puts it, nowhere else is life lived so intensely, with such laughter and sorrow, and nowhere else do you leave with the feeling that you understand everything and nothing at the same time. He wins international awards for his work every year and is now in the fortunate position of being given a free hand to choose his topics and destinations. Of late, he has concentrated in particular on the plight of children around the world: child slaves, child prostitutes, child soldiers.
In “Patricia’s People”, a programme broadcast by SAfm in South Africa, Patricia Glynn speaks to high flyers, deep thinkers and other fascinating people.
Broadcast: July 12, 2001