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Wind-up radio project in Timor-Leste
07 November 2008
Communities in rural Timor-Leste will gain much needed access to news and information through the distribution of 80 Freeplay Lifeline solar and wind-up radios.
Demonstrating how to use the wind-up radio to the members of the Fahisoi Community Learning Centre
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Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA and Multi-Powered Products have worked together over the last year to ensure that the radios reach community groups throughout the country. The radios were donated on a two-for-one program, where Australians purchased one radio and donated another to Timor-Leste.
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA have distributed the radios through their local partner organisations in Timor-Leste. The first radios were handed over to several community learning centres, a women's literacy group and carpentry groups, and Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA has distributed radios to other community groups supported by Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA project partners. All the radios are shared by the groups, who listen to news, music and other programs as they go about their daily activities. Many of the vocational skills training groups listen to the radio as they are practicing the skills they have learned during training.
A largely rural and illiterate population makes radio the most accessible medium in Timor-Leste and therefore the most important source of news and information. The public broadcaster and 16 community radio stations provide people with national and local news, educational programs on elections, human rights and health, and entertainment programs sharing Timorese music and culture.
According to a national media survey carried out last year, the biggest problem for radio listeners is the cost or difficulty in obtaining batteries. The Freeplay Lifeline radios, which were designed especially for developing countries, don't need batteries, but run on a solar panel or by winding a handle at the back of the radio.
Multi-Powered Products also sent 60 radios to the Mary MacKillop Sisters in Timor to distribute to their rural health clinics.
The Government of Timor-Leste supported the project by providing import tax exemption.
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