CEO of Kristine Pearson with former President Bill Clinton, announcing Lifeline Energy commitment

Written by Kristine Pearson

Former President Bill Clinton opened today’s session on Investing in Girls and Women by stating “Women perform 66 percent of the world’s work, and produce 50 percent of the food, yet earn only 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property.” He continued to say “Whether the issue is improving education in the developing world, or fighting global climate change, or addressing nearly any other challenge we face, empowering women is a critical part of the equation.”

Shortly after President Clinton’s opening, we had the opportunity to announce our commitment to distribute self-powered Lifeline radios and new clean energy Lifelights to poor women and girls in Rwanda, which will directly benefit 20,000 people. The Lifelights will enable women to extend their business hours and the radios will enable the women and girls to access health, literacy, and practical skills, as well as agricultural advice.

Investing in Women and Girls panel

The session was moderated by Diane Sawyer and featured Robert B. Zoellick, President of The World Bank Group, Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International, Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil and Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group.

Earth Times Press Release

Reuters Press Release

New York, September 21, 2009…. Freeplay Foundation announced today that it has been chosen as a featured organization at this week’s meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. The Foundation has pledged its intent to integrate the award-winning Freeplay Lifeline radio and new clean energy Lifelight into a program benefiting 20,000 extremely poor women and girls across Rwanda.

Rural women and girls will gain reliable, on-demand access to radio and Internet information and renewable lighting via solar-powered and wind-up Lifeline radios and Lifelights. Participants will be able to access health, literacy and economic development information, as well as agricultural advice and practical life skills information. LED Lifelights provide both focused task illumination and ambient area light. The women and girls will be able to undertake after-dark small businesses such as weaving and beading, and they can study and walk safely at night.

The Honorable James Kimonyo, Republic of Rwanda Ambassador to the United States, champions Freeplay Foundation’s commitment to action.

“Freeplay Foundation is a proven NGO in Rwanda and I fully support their pledge,” said the Ambassador. “Children breathe in toxic fumes and damage their eyes when they study to kerosene lamps and candles. Light is needed in every situation after seven o’clock, and our students will never become properly educated if they can only study under these unhealthy conditions.”

To read the rest of the News Release, please visit our Media Centre.

His Excellency James Kimonyo, the Rwandan Ambassador to the US, is a strong supporter of our CGI Commitment. “No matter how far-reaching our Government’s efforts to promote education extend, our children will not become educated with only a few hours of reading each week,” said the Ambassador. “The ability to read and study after nightfall is the key to success in the classroom.”

Thousands of non-profits vie for an invitation to CGI and we are honoured to be among a handful of organisations that received a complementary invitation, allowing us to forego the $20,000 attendance fee.

Our long-standing project partners CARE International in Rwanda, Fair Children Youth Foundation, Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace, Trust and Care and Radio Salus will be partnering with us on this important initiative.

Science for Humanity aims to match scientific capability to human need. Through collaboration and innovation, Science for Humanity develops appropriate and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, and realise economic benefit for vulnerable populations.

Read how the Lifelight can increase living standards and power economic growth:
Lighting up Africa – Renewable Lighting

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Development Crossing interviews Kristine Pearson