When mobile networks go down in a disaster, HAM Radio keeps working. In May 2026, that reliability was put into practice in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

A 27-member Search and Rescue Team (SART), 6 of them women, spent three days building this skill from the ground up. Early sessions covered the basics of radio operation and electrical safety, then moved into hands on practice: installing antennas, setting up radios, and troubleshooting signal issues in real time.

By the third day, training had moved outdoors, where participants set up a full communication station under conditions modeled on real emergencies. The course closed with exam preparation and a visit to a working HAM radio station.

“This training has improved our confidence and practical skills in using HAM radio, especially for emergency situations where communication is critical,” said one SART participant.

Disasters strip away the systems people rely on without warning. Because of donor support, including support from FOCUS donors, communities like this one are not left waiting when that happens. It is a small but meaningful reminder that preparedness, like service, is something we build for one another before it is ever needed.