Project duration: Ongoing
Project's focus area: Teaching vital life skills to orphans via radio
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As a result of 1994 genocide and deaths from disease, Rwanda has more than 101,000 child headed households. 75% of the heads of household are girls. Eriminata, who is now 20, has been looking after 6 younger siblings since she was 14. She has never attended school. The Lifeline radio is her constant companion and surrogate ‘teacher’. She has learned so much from the radio about child care, nutrition, HIV/AIDS and peace and reconciliation.
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Robust Lifeline radios operate on solar or wind-up energy. Children don’t have to worry about buying toxic batteries. They can access educational broadcasts 24/7.Given its excellent sound quality, 40 children can listen at one time. |
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Orphaned child heads of households are among the most isolated in the world. Community radio broadcasts help them to integrate with their villages and, most important, to develop vital life skills that can improve their quality of life. |
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“The most important thing I had was my goat, but now it is my radio. I listen to the news to learn, since I cannot attend school.”
- Mukakrimba, Head of her household in Rwanda since age 10
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Bhavna Malkani,
Fundraising and Communications Officer
Freeplay Foundation
71 Gloucester Place
London, W1U 8JW
United Kingdom
+44 (0)207 935 5350
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