Lifeline radio

Powered by either wind-up human energy or solar power, the Lifeline is designed specifically to connect people in remote communities to the information network.

Farmers need market prices and weather reports, parents need information on baby care and remote clinic schedules, and those who are most marginalised, including child-headed households and refugees, seek connections.

Constructed to operate in the harshest of conditions and climates, the Lifeline radio is rugged, colourful, easy to use and carry, receives excellent AM, FM, and two shortwave frequencies and plays for many hours non-stop. It is available to aid and donor organisations for developmental and humanitarian initiatives and is not sold commercially.

To ensure radios – and the vital information and education they deliver – reach the people who need them most, we partner with non-governmental organisations, government ministries, international organisations and broadcasters.

Radio contributes to development because it is:

• Accessible – It can reach people living in remote rural areas in their own languages and dialects. Our Lifeline radio distribution methods ensure all community members – especially women and children – have access to the radios.
• Affordable – As it is human or sun-powered, batteries are not needed.
• Democratic – The Lifeline radio speakers can easily reach 40 people at the same time. Group listening ensures that everyone has access to education and information programming.
• Participatory – Lifeline Energy links listeners’ groups to radio stations and radio content producers. In this way we ensure that communities can give feedback and shape the programming that affects their lives.
• Environmentally safe – The principal means of power is the solar panel. At night or when it is not sunny, the radios can be cranked by hand.

Lifeline Design Features

• The antenna is an ordinary piece of wire which can be easily replaced.
• The rainbow-shaped dial scale has large print for easy reading, even for the visually impaired. Each band is colour coded for everyone to understand.
• The dial scale and Lifeline radio can be custom produced in any combinations of colours and should not reflect political parties.
• Four-band coverage, AM/FM/SW1/SW2, ensures access to many channels and perspectives.
• Each knob is purposefully designed a different shape.
• The sound quality is excellent, enabling groups of up to 40 people to hear clearly.
• The winding handle (on the back) can be turned in either direction to charge the radio. Fully charged, the Lifeline can play for up to 24 hours.
• The solar panel is housed in a detachable waterproof casing on a 2.5 metre lead with magnetised clips on top to hold it in place. The Lifeline radio operates in extreme conditions including temperatures, rain, dust, sand and humidity.
• A child can grip the handle without difficulty. The Lifeline radio is larger and lighter than the older model Freeplay radios; its unusual shape enables it to be easily carried, even by children.

Donate a Lifeline radio

Read more about Lifeline radios on our blog.