Background and Objectives Recognising a need for alternative energy sources amongst the world's poorest communities, the Freeplay Energy Group, now Freeplay Energy plc, founded the Freeplay Foundation in 1998 in the UK as an extension of the group's commitment to development and empowerment.
			The Freeplay Foundation aims to: facilitate sustained access to information and education for the poorest of the poor, especially children, women, refugees and the disabled. raise awareness of the role of radio broadcasting and communication in developing countries, disaster areas and regions of conflict. research opportunities where appropriate and alternative sources of energy can be applied to improve the lives of people in developing communities, especially children living on their own. seek sponsorship to initiate and support humanitarian communication initiatives.
			The Freeplay Foundation is committed to providing innovative and practical energy solutions and to ensuring sustained access to information and education via radio. Our on-going search for new applications for Freeplay's patented wind-up and solar powered technology resulted in the creation of the unique Lifeline radio. After extensive fieldwork, the Freeplay Foundation recognised the need for a radio built specifically for the humanitarian sector. The idea for the Lifeline radio was born - a robust radio that could be operated easily by adults and children alike, heard by groups of up to 40 and powered by either wind-up or solar-powered energy. Just 24 months after the concept paper for the Lifeline radio was written the first radios were distributed to Burundian youth living in refugee camps in Tanzania.
			We believe that Lifeline self powered radios provide sustainable access to our five areas of focus:? Education - Distance learning programmes to build life skills, literacy, numeracy and knowledge of the environment and business issues. Health - Hygiene, immunisation, first aid, family planning, disease prevention and care including HIV/Aids. Complex Emergencies - Advice during humanitarian disasters on evacuation, relief supplies, reuniting families, health issues, and avoiding famine. Peacemaking - Promote conflict resolution, peace, reconciliation, healing and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Agriculture - Information about weather, soil, water conservation, animal care, livestock diversity, pesticides and farming techniques.
			Increasingly our work focuses on children and young people living on their own, having been orphaned by Aids or conflict. In 2001, Children on the Brink, a joint report of USAID, UNAIDS and UNICEF reported that 34 million children in sub-Saharan Africa were orphans, one third of them due to Aids. By 2010, the number will reach 42 million, or six percent of all children in Africa. Many are unable to attend school and lack information and guidance normally provided by a parent or other trusted adult. The Freeplay Foundation is an entirely separate entity from the for-profit Freeplay Energy plc and has its own board of trustees in each of the countries where it is registered. The Foundation is a fund-seeking organisation with 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status in the US, is a registered charity in the UK and has Section 21 non-profit status in South Africa. Working primarily in Africa, the Foundation has offices in London and Cape Town. The Freeplay Foundation receives an annual grant from Freeplay Energy, with which it shares select managerial and administrative resources. The Foundation uses the grant to fund overheads, so that the majority of funding received from other donors is applied directly to projects. The balance of funding is raised from corporations, institutional funders and individuals. The Freeplay Foundation enjoys the support and co-operation of major humanitarian organisations and NGOs on a wide range of communication campaigns. Freeplay Foundation enjoys the support and co-operation of major humanitarian organisations and NGOs on a wide range of communication campaigns.