APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATIVE

Mission: The Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC) creates new sustainable technologies that promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for low income people worldwide. We design, develop, demonstrate and distribute affordable technological solutions that empower people and promote dignity. ATC works in collaboration with local talent and other nonprofits (NGOs) to create market-based solutions that are culturally sensitive, environmentally responsible and locally repairable in order to improve the quality of life and reduce adverse impacts on the environment.
Results: Since our first project in 2007 we have designed a number of new technologies with much help from our local partners. Our first solar lights were built in Guatemala. We solar LED lights made from local recycled materials. We designed a Solar Vaccine Refrigerator (SVR) with students from Michigan State University. The SVR can be built almost anywhere in the world and depending on how it is constructed it can either keep vaccines cold or freeze ice packs to World Health Organization standards. The SVR has been built in many countries. We receive emails like the one quoted below: “Congratulation for saving millions of life(s) with your solar refrigerator project.” (Mr. Amit Kumar Singh – East of Uttar Pradesh, India) We work with several Colleges and Universities to help students understand the complexities of creating Social Ventures in less/least economically developed countries. We introduce students to some of the problems we and our clients have identified and we help student teams work in Guatemala, Nicaragua and India to prove their designs can be built in less economically developed countries. ATC’s work is life changing for both our designers, our student teams and our clients.
Target demographics: low income and other under-served people
Direct beneficiaries per year: 150 students
Geographic areas served: Central America and elsewhere around the world
Programs: natural building, solar power, and downloadable designs for affordable technologies that can make a positive difference in their lives, such as a solar vaccine refrigerator using no electricity or moving parts. Our largest program to date is "Mayan Power and Light," which trains young Guatemalan women in electricity, solar power, and carpentry so they can make a living and improve conditions in their communities.