Tom Hanks and Kristine Pearson holding a Freeplay windup radio
Kristine Pearson with Tom Hanks, who knows the power of radio

Tackling Energy Poverty

All posts tagged by Republic of Rwanda Ambassador

Freeplay Foundation Featured at Clinton Global Initative – News Release

September 21, 2009

Clinton Global Initiative
Highlights Freeplay Foundation
As Featured Humanitarian Organization

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.