Communication, Communication, Communication
While it will be wonderful when the mythical UltraWideBand Wi-Fi eXtream wireless networking protocol has the reach of shortwave radio and blankets the world with Internet connections, The Freeplay Foundation is working right now with lower-tech one-way communications. The is the development organization founded by the company that invented the hand crank power generator. They SELL flashlights, radios and even a power source to plug into that are charged with their hand crank. But they also have some great projects where they’re distributing the radios as Social and Economic Development tools.
Mostly it seems they provide their unique service to other agencies. For example: An organization called PEARL set up a cooperative among coffee growers in the devastated Rwandan coffee growing region. National University of Rwanda begins collecting information about the global coffee market. Freeplay steps in and supplys the coops with 70 radios and helps the University broadcast their information. There are also programs where school children listen to lectures via radio.
So, to my friends out there working in development: think about how a project you’re working with could benefit from some old-school one-way communication. And if you’re going into the bush for a while and want a reliable radio, C. Crane and Simply Radios will donate a Freeplay Lifeline radio for each one you buy.
In Charlottesville, Virginia (US):
Jeff Lavezzo
