Happy Holidays! Thank you for the help in 2010!

2010 has been the most important year of AIDG's history: After the earthquake of January 2010, you supported us in a way that challenged us to expand our services and analyze our mission. Thank you for that support and that challenge. AIDG has done more in 2010 than in the prior 4 years combined. 6 companies identified and supported. Over 2000 people given technical training, impacting the lives of over ten thousand. Almost 70 volunteers engaged in the field, more than in the past 3 years. More constituents receiving energy, water, sanitation and housing services directly from us and from our incubated companies than we have ever seen. It has been a hard year but we are proud of what we've accomplished with your support. Here are some highlights of the year.

The Winner of GuateVerde 2010 is Recelca

This year's GuateVerde business plan competition was filled with teams searching for greener waste management solutions or innovative ways to use recyclable waste to solve large-scale social problems. After much deliberation, we present this year's winner Recelca who helps Guatemalan businesses keep toxic electronic waste out of landfills.

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Meet The Finalists for KBA 2010

Meet the finalists of KBA 2010: a biodiesel cooperative modeled after the most successful dairy in Haiti, a stove producer seeking to gain the edge in the emerging biomass stove market, a Haitian designer building earthships and geodesic domes out of waste to solve housing and recycling problems, a propane distributor looking to scale up and go green by making this clean fuel more affordable in central Haiti...

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Mason Trainings in Haiti

Since March AIDG has trained over 2000 masons in seismic resistant construction courses. These courses are designed to instruct local masons on confined masonry building design and the key construction mistakes that led to building failure in the January 2010 earthquake. Unlike many training programs AIDG goes out into communities to find construction workers and teams who are rebuilding now and give them basic knowledge and techniques. We are trying to hit 10,000 masons trained by 2012.

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Spotlight on Quetsol: GuateVerde 2009 Winner

Quetsol has hit the ground running since its launch after Guateverde 2009. It has brought illumination to several thousand people with its low cost solar light kits. It aims to hit 75,000 unit sales within 3 years and has received significant accolades in the Guatemalan press. Quetsol is seeking further financing from other members of the ANDE network.

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Shelter 2 Home starts an orphanage dormitory at ESPWA in Les Cayes

Shelter 2 Home broke ground in October and recently finished its first major project. The housing compound for the ESPWA orphanage will provide housing for several hundred orphans. Donald is hoping to build the orders to bring an additional $250,000 in steel rolling machinery online by 2011.

See an interview with Donald about Shelter 2 Home at the AIDG Blog where he talks about his individual unit homes and mission.
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Tech R&D Shut down and Alterna Spinoff

Due to budgetary constraints in 2011 after 5 years AIDG is shutting down its tech R&D program to focus on its incubation services. Designs and DIY information will be made available on AIDG.net. Most of the physical plant resources and staff in the Guatemala Tech R&D program are being transitioned into a new Guatemalan venture called Alterna, led by AIDG's former Director of Techology, Steve Crowe. Alterna will be working initially with Xelateco on more complex hydro-electric system installations.

AIDG will be tightening its focus on its incubation services over the next several months in an effort to support more enterprises with a higher quality of service.

Other news:

This past year AIDG distributed 1400 stoves serving thousands of people displaced by the earthquake.
Worm composting trainings in Guatemala will reach 900 women.
AIDG Spotlights: Video interviews of special investments: ENERSA and Shelter2Home
In 2010, we've had more volunteers at AIDG than the past 4 years combined. Thanks to EVERYONE who helped AIDG this year. A special thanks to KPFF consulting engineers.

AIDG believes that small enterprises and trained technical workers hold the key to development, not NGOs. Through financing and training we help entrepreneurs create the next generation of green enterprises in Haiti and Guatemala.

AIDG is largely supported by private donors like you:

We're hoping to springboard four new companies this next year. Help us get to 25 by 2015!

Give Today.

Landslide Typewritter

After Tropical storm Agatha AIDG responded to a call from Mercado Global to help the village of Xaquijya restore its watersupply that had been destroyed by landslides. We've reconnected the 35 families and are working to develop a more robust water system that won't be taken out in the next storm's landslides.