Click here to download to AIDG's 2007 Annual Report as a pdf file.

Director's Message

It is hard to believe that it’s been three years.

Three years ago, AIDG launched in Guatemala with $800 and an idea to help communities in developing countries get affordable energy, sanitation and clean water. We did this because we knew these services were key to helping families improve their health and break out of poverty.

We now have vibrant growing programs in three countries: the US, Guatemala and Haiti.

AIDG works by incubating local businesses using local talent that can serve their local communities at prices affordable in the local economy. With your help, our pilot enterprise, XelaTeco, has provided over 150 families (700+ people) in rural Guatemala with renewable electricity. A micro-hydroelectric system installed for the Chantel and La Fe communities saved them $2000/month in fuel costs during their coffee harvest. As of December 2007, XelaTeco’s total installed capacity for hydro systems is 91 kW. We are very excited to announce that in 2008, Xelateco stands ready for a dramatic year of independence as we end our incubation period with them. Stay tuned!

In Haiti, we began work with local partners to tackle the tremendous sanitation problems facing Cap Haitien, the nation’s 2nd largest city. Since establishing ourselves there in September, we installed a community latrine that services 300-400 people in Petite Anse. We are poised to become one of the stronger NGO presences in the city over the next several years.

AIDG made tremendous strides in 2007. Aside from opening 3 international offices, we moved from an entirely volunteer program to maintaining staff in each location. We brought on 19 international interns for a 3 to 12 month stint in the field. We performed 30 outreach projects with the help of our interns, volunteers, staff and contracts with Xelateco.

We could not have done any of this without you.

In 2008, AIDG plans to take all the lessons learned from XelaTeco and prepare for incubating new businesses in Haiti and Guatemala. I hope you will stand with us as we work to provide basic services to the people and communities who need them the most. 

 Peter C. Haas

*Peter Haas outside XelaTeco in Guatemala. Photo by Jamie James Medina.