Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the Freeplay Foundation changed its name?

Our name change is a natural progression for us. Our vision is to develop a range of practical, fit-for-purpose products using innovative and appropriate technologies and distribution approaches that the poor can apply to their daily lives. As little as 5% of the 500 million people living in rural sub-Saharan Africa have access to any form of electricity, so this is an urgent imperative. Under the Freeplay Foundation banner, we are highly associated only with the development and distribution of Lifeline radios and communications programmes. The Lifeline Energy name more accurately reflects our current work and future vision.

How will Lifeline Energy's strategy remain the same?

We have a proven track record of 11 years of project and programme delivery. We've built an outstanding reputation by providing sustainable access to information, education and light with Lifeline radios and Lifelights. More than 8 million people have directly benefited from the Lifeline radio since we launched it in 2003, with untold numbers of their neighbors and friends having indirectly benefited. We will continue employing our successful operational model of working with credible international and local NGO and UN partners on the ground to implement a variety of initiatives across a range of disciplines. We will raise funds on behalf of orphans and other vulnerable children and work with our local partners to responsibly distribute a range of radios and lights and monitor and evaluate their impact.

We believe that no product ever should be 'just given away' and that philosophy will remain the same.

How will Lifeline Energy's strategy be different to the Freeplay Foundation?

In addition to products reaching extremely poor end-users through donations, we are adopting a market-driven approach by ensuring that our clean energy products will be available for purchase using micro finance or other programmes. Our aim is to create a virtuous cycle – we'll continue researching and assessing what the extremely poor want and need; create fit-for-purpose products that people can afford; and then, ensure their distribution through various channels including the ability for women to earn income and create jobs by selling or renting lights and providing charging services to those without electricity.

What products will Lifeline Energy focus on?

Our product focus is on developing a range of high quality, affordable solar and human-powered devices for lighting and for charging low-level electrical devices like cell phones, rechargeable torches and MP3 players. We will do this in collaboration with our for-profit trading product development and trading arm, Lifeline Technologies Trading, Ltd. (LTTL)

Will Lifeline Energy continue to use Lifeline radios and Lifelights in our work?

Yes. The Lifeline radio was our idea, we funded its development. The Lifeline radio is a fabulous product, as is the Lifelight, most of which was funded by our American Ambassador, Tom Hanks, and the US-based Lemelson Foundation.

Will Lifeline Energy have staff, board or ambassador changes?

No. The staff and boards of Lifeline Energy in the UK, US and South Africa will remain the same. Tom Hanks, Terry Waite and Sibusiso Vilane remain our Ambassadors.

Will the organisation still work with Freeplay Energy?

We will continue to integrate Freeplay products into programmes where appropriate. Freeplay Energy, which was a UK-listed company, is now an Indian-owned private company and naturally their focus is on India, while ours is on Africa. We will continue to work with them wherever it is appropriate.

What is the name of the for-profit new product development and trading company?

Lifeline Energy's new product development and trading company is called Lifeline Technologies Trading Ltd (LTTL) and is headed by Phil Goodwin. Phil was a part of the team that developed both the Lifeline radio and the Lifelight and has over 15 years of design and new product development experience.

Why have Lifeline Energy established LTTL?

At Lifeline Energy, we are committed to enabling a range of appropriately powered products developed for the poor. We did this with the Lifeline radio and the Lifelight, and our field surveys have identified additional needs for communication and lighting products. Few commercial companies see the very poor as a viable "commercial" market, yet the poor deserve access to the benefits of products as much or probably more than "affluent" consumers. Lifeline Trading allows us to undertake the end-user driven product development and to make appropriate products available to the humanitarian community at realistic prices. All profits earned contribute to Lifeline Energy's core funding so a virtuous cycle is achieved.

Why is lighting such a priority for Lifeline Energy?

Through our extensive surveys and research, we've come to understand deeply and appreciate that the poorest -- especially children and women -- are suffering because they constantly use firewood, kerosene and candles. The havoc wreaked from fires, the damage to health and the environmental consequences are entirely unacceptable. It is indeed tragic that in 2010, well over 100 years after the invention of the light bulb, millions of people in the developing world are still in the dark at night.

Why doesn't every African village have grid energy?

Despite the massive migrations to cities, 65% of the sub-Saharan African population still live in rural areas and tend to be poor. The cost of delivering grid electricity is just too expensive, especially for isolated communities. It's important that innovators come up with solutions that will reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. Only 22% of all Africans have access to grid electricity and these are largely urban city dwellers.

For more information on Lifeline Energy, please email enquiries@lifelineenergy.org.