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Alan Dein connects with strangers across the world via social media, exploring the things that unite people across cultures and borders.

  1. 12/29/2020

    Opportunity

    Alan Dein searches for the stories that connect us in a changing world. Today, Alan hears stories from people who’ve transformed their lives and are helping others to do the same against the backdrop of the pandemic. He speaks to Alhaji in Sierra Leone who’s building a house for his parents from the money he’s earned working in the United States. He hears from Tiffany in India who helps visually impaired people become more independent, after her own challenging childhood. Alan also connects with Al in the United States who aims to inspire young people in a tough area of Chicago. And he catches up with Ibrahim who, at the start of the pandemic, was homeless on the streets of Athens. Nine months on, Ibrahim’s life has changed beyond recognition. Plus, Margaret in Uganda – who cares for youngsters orphaned by AIDS – shares her hopes for the new year. Producers: Sarah Shebbeare & Laurence Grissell

    27 min

  2. 12/22/2020

    Grounded

    Alan Dein searches for the stories that connect us in a changed world. Inspiring and moving stories of how the pandemic has changed people's lives on every continent. Today, airline pilot Peter in Australia talks about deciding to become a bus driver after the pandemic forced him to stop flying. And wedding planner Vithika in India discusses the dramatic impact of the pandemic on her industry. Plus, Chun Wing, a ballet dancer at the Paris Opera shares the frustrations of not being able to perform. Alan also speaks to Shira who lives in an orthodox community in Israel and he catches up with doctor Ahmed in Sudan who’s just made a major decision about his job. Producers: Sarah Shebbeare & Laurence Grissell

    28 min

  3. 12/15/2020

    Searching For Hope

    Alan Dein searches for the stories that connect us in a changed world. Inspiring and moving accounts of how the pandemic has changed people's lives on every continent. Today, Liana in Armenia celebrates her 30th birthday as her country finds itself at war with Azerbaijan - as well as covid-19. We also catch up with 25 year old entrepreneur Fahad in Bangladesh, who Alan first spoke to in March when it looked like he might lose his hard-earned fortune. Plus, Ugandan midwife Marion faces the toughest year of her career and Fish in China describes how lockdown is affecting her fellow students’ mental health. Producers: Sarah Shebbeare & Laurence Grissell

    27 min

  4. 12/14/2020

    Resilience

    Alan Dein searches for the stories that connect us in a changed world. Inspiring and moving accounts of how the pandemic has changed people's lives on every continent. New series. Today, Alan connects with Sakie in Myanmar, who tells of a heroic 24 hour journey from his remote village in order to save his mother’s life. He also catches up with Maria Ester in Ecuador, who Alan first spoke to six months ago when it looked as if her family business was on the verge of collapse. Alan also connects with Mursalina in Afghanistan, Mohammed in Gaza and Kenyan wildlife photographer Jahawi who describes the wonders of the underwater world. Producers: Sarah Shebbeare & Laurence Grissell

    27 min

  5. 05/11/2020

    Homecoming

    Alan Dein talks to people around the world about the challenges of family life in lockdown. He connects with Margaret in Uganda who has adopted many children orphaned by HIV. And he reaches out to Alezz in Peru, a trans non-binary person who is confined to their bedroom as their parents struggle to accept them. He also speaks to Pawel who got trapped in Poland at the start of January and doesn't know when he'll be able to return home to his wife in China. Producers: Georgia Catt, Laurence Grissell & Sarah Shebbeare

    27 min

  6. 04/17/2020

    Journeys Interrupted

    Across every continent, lives have been put on hold, and people are looking to the day when they can pick up and restart after lockdown. Alan Dein connects to people looking forward to continuing those things most important to them. In Mexico, Lucia has spent the past seven years searching for her kidnapped son – one of thousands of disappeared children in the country. For the first time, she has been forced to put that on hold. Captain Jens aboard a vast container ship has not been on land for three months – and does not know when he will next see his family, but he is finding solace in the logs of his ancestors. In Nigeria, optometry student Babatunde Ismail Bale is sheltering in a mosque after his college closed its doors – but is still finding ways to study. And in the Philippine’s capital Manila, armed soldiers on the streets are bringing back fearful memories of martial law in the 1970s.

    26 min

  7. 04/15/2020

    Calm Waters

    Alan Dein connects with people around the world trying to find moments of calm during the coronavirus pandemic. He speaks to Jens, the captain of a container ship in the middle of the Indian Ocean who is unsure when he may be able to get his crew back home, and Sujatha, an 85 year old in India who is philosophical about being confined to her home in Delhi. 1000 miles south of Delhi, Alan reaches out to Chinu who is feeding Mumbai's urban poor as the Indian government imposes a lockdown. And he speak to Benedetta, who is eight months pregnant in an anxious and eerily quiet Rome. Alan also catches up with 16 year old Ibrahim who was homeless on the streets of Athens when they last spoke - but now has some good news to share. Producers: Georgia Catt, Laurence Grissell & Sarah Shebbeare

    28 min

  8. 04/01/2020

    Anticipation

    Across every continent, people are trying to make sense of a new world – one that happens mostly behind closed doors and often alone. Alan Dein connects with seven individuals whose lives have shifted under the coronavirus pandemic as they nervously anticipate what will come next in an uncertain future. In Tehran, Golnar, an Iranian who describes herself as ‘global traveller’ is inside her apartment – all future trips postponed. Across the town is the hostel she set up with a friend. Forced to close in the city’s lockdown it is now serving a crucial role. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated city’s on earth. As the pandemic takes hold, entrepreneur Fahad worries for the successful delivery business he has spent years building up and the future for his parents he shares a home with. Not everyone is inside. In Greece, Ibrahim is homeless, sheltering in an abandoned building. His friend Mikki is self-isolating and cannot help him. Plus stories from Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Sudan of isolation and expectation.

    28 min
See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Alan Dein connects with strangers across the world via social media, exploring the things that unite people across cultures and borders.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2020
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2020
  • Show Website
    Don't Log Off

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