An update from Kristine Pearson in New York City.
It is such a gratifying feeling to see something that you’ve nurtured for so long come to life. Last week we successfully launched a tool that we truly believe will be a game-changer in educational access for millions in the developing world. This is first device ever created for humanitarian use that allows content to be pre-recorded or loaded later (up to 64GB), can record live voice or radio broadcasts and even charges a cell phone. Called the Lifeplayer, it has been phenomenally well received by development specialists, partners and the media alike.
We spent three years researching and developing the Lifeplayer – determining the need; establishing what features were most desirable and practical; ensuring it could be reliably powered by a solar panel or wind-up energy; deciding how we could bring different technologies already in use in Africa and elsewhere together; and most importantly, how we would get the research and development funded. We were so blessed that Tom Hanks stepped in and not only contributed generously to the Lifeplayer’s development, but he asked his friends to help, too. We could not have asked for a more devoted supporter on every level. His tweet about the Lifeplayer was retweeted by thousands of others who spread the word virally.
There are a lot of people who have made the MP3-enabled Lifeplayer possible. Chief amongst them is Phil Goodwin, who heads our new product development and trading arm, Lifeline Technologies Trading Ltd. Phil is the design principal who has headed a multi-disciplinary team of model makers, industrial designers and software engineers, as well as the excellent group at our production facility in Asia. Due to component shortages brought about by the economic recession, we experienced some unforeseen delays, but finally the Lifeplayer is en route to being included in a host of important initiatives that will bring high quality information and educational content to those who otherwise would not have these learning opportunities.
I also want to thank the Lifeline Energy team and boards for their terrific support for their unwavering enthusiasm and belief in our vision.
New York has been the perfect place to launch the Lifeplayer, especially with the UN General Assembly meetings and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). The city is abuzz with excitement (and traffic snarls) and I’m honored to be making an input tomorrow at the CGI about women and the environment.
Written by Kristine Pearson
Make It Right Foundation panel discussion on the reconstruction of the Ninth Ward
One of the most engaging speakers at Clinton Global Initiative was Dierdre Taylor, who is a Make It Right Homeowner in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. Brad Pitt who was quite humble, spoke about how shocked he had been months after Hurricane Katrina and how little had been done by the government. So he and others founded the Make it Right Foundation to build green, clean and affordable homes using the most efficient technologies and building construction and, Diedre, a hospice worker and single mother of two, was one of the first home owners.
Dierdre held her own on stage with Brad Pitt and President Clinton sharing her joy of living in a modern, solarized house which she owns and pays a mortgage of $400 pm and a monthly electricity bill of $50. Her daughter no longer suffers asthma as she did in their house that was washed away. She had everyone laughing as she described her dual commode flush toilet with two moons – one a half moon and one a full moon. Dierdre left it to the audience to figure out what that meant.
Written by Kristine Pearson:
Infrastructure panel session moderated by John Podesta
Every session at the Clinton Global Initiative continues to be a stimulating round table discussion or a panel session with outstanding speakers on addressing key global challenges.
This morning’s plenary was a business panel that included Kofi Annan and various speakers. One speaker was Cisco CEO John Chambers. Chambers stated that four years ago, he never could have imagined the speed at which social marketing has taken hold and to the extent that Cisco uses it. Another speaker on the panel was GE CEO, Jeffrey Immelt. He noted that in Angola road signs are in Mandarin and that it is the Chinese in Africa who are using a new business model and using it forcefully.
The panel also featured spunky Swede Ingrid Munro, who spoke about her life’s work with beggars called, Jamii Bora, which in response to the government’s total lack of service delivery, has become a self-sufficient landowning community outside of Nairobi. The marvelous Partner’s in Health Founder, Paul Farmer, spoke of the challenges of operating in Haiti for over 25 years with limited infrastructure.
I found the Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic fascinating. I usually spend my time listening and learning as much as I can about Africa, however I realised how much I had forgotten about the Balkans conflict in the 90s. He spoke eloquently and passionately about trying to reconstruct a society which was attacked by fascists for its multi-culturalism. He stated the conflict wasn’t about poverty or empty pockets, but empty hearts.
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.
President Obama at CGI
Former US President Bill Clinton Opening CGI
Written by Kristine Pearson
What a thrilling opening session when President Obama joined former President Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative! I’ve seen President Clinton speak many times, but this is the first time that I’d seen President Obama in person. I thought his words spoke to everyone reminding us of the beauty of service,” that anyone can do it and everyone should try.” In the 1,000 strong audience were more than 60 current and former heads of state, business leaders, civil society leaders, philanthropists, and celebrities included Matt Damon, Barbra Streisand, Ben Stiller and Goldie Hawn.
Earth Times — Clinton Global Initiative highlights Freeplay Foundation as a featured humanitarian organisation. Click on the following link to read the press release featured on the Earth Times website:
Earth Times Press Release
Clinton Global Initiative Technology Panel
Written by Kristine Pearson
Activities for the non-profits started early at CGI with a workshop aimed at IT advances and NGO executives. Sponsored by Microsoft and Ashoka, we heard various presentations and IT perspectives of specialists from large non-profits. Peppered with statistics, is clear, almost mind-numbing, really, how technology is profoundly impacting how we operate as well as end-users in the developing world are creating new uses for technology. Like if MySpace were a country it would be the 5th most populous in the world! As usual, no one mentioned radio, or even television as technology or learning tools – it was principally the Internet and cell phone. Also, there was no mention of how these devices are powered, which is where our opportunity lies. I walked away feeling that I’d learned new ideas and approaches — my time was well spent!
