Either buy a Lifeline Encore™ Radio for yourself or buy the two for one option allowing a community overseas (see below) to benefit as well as yourself. (To purchase only one see Lifeline 1)

The second radio will be donated to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA who support the work of over 50 Community Learning Centres in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands
where many remote communities have no electricity or landlines, and mobile phones have limited reception. The Multi-Powered Products program allows APHEDA to provide solar powered radios that help provide education and life skills.

We managed to donate 140 radios in 2008, we would to donate more again with your help this year. 

The Lifeline Encore™ Radio. The latest radio in the humanitarian sector. Great sound for large group listening, sensitive reception and a clear easy to read format makes these radios the best in class.
• Analogue FM/AM/SW -FM: 88-108 MHzAM (MW): 500-1700 kHz SW1 3-10 Mhz SW2 10-22 Mhz
• Crank charging - The radio will play for approx 30 minutes (minimum) at normal volume per 30-second wind at 130 RPM
• Integral and detachable solar panels • Failsafe winding mechanism
• Dual lighting - Two ultra-bright LEDs are fitted into lenses in the frequency window. When switched on these LEDs illuminate an area in front of the radiofor tasks or reading.
• Mobile phone charging either via a standard USB or to generic 6V 400mA, current limited phone protocols.
• DC adaptor charging - The radio may also be used to power or recharge another device.
• 10cm, 5 W, 8-ohm loudspeaker
• FM and SW: User replaceable 680mm flexible steel wire antenna. AM (MW): Internal extra length ferrite rod antenna

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.

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.