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Friday, 24 March 2006 |
Greetings From Xela,
This has been a profound
year of development for the AIDG. Since receiving our 501 (c) (3)
status a bit over a year ago we have made tremendous strides in
reaching the goals of our model and mission. Emerging from design and
testing in quarter one to implementing projects in rural Guatemalan in
quarter two, forming our shop in quarter three, the AIDG through
training efforts in quarter four of 2005 is now in 2006 managing a
truly productive micro manufacturing enterprise for producing
environmentally sound infrastructure improvements.
The last quarter of 2005
brought many challenges and success for AIDG and our new incubated
micro manufacturing business Xelateco. We have seen our shop grow from
a barely equipped storage space to a fully functioning workshop capable
of producing a wide range of products from custom electronic circuitry
to metal cast hydroelectric turbines. We have seen mudslides crush the
blocks around this new shop, and we have seen communities respond to
utter devastation, finding ways to rebuild. Looking forward from this
this past year of existence for AIDG, we see a strong need for the
technologies of AIDG and Xelateco, both in Guatemala and other
developing countries.
Hurricane Stan Response
The most defining event of
quarter 4 was the arrival of Hurricane Stan. Stan knocked out power,
water, gas, diesel, gasoline, most communications and roads into and
out of our city and the surrounding countryside. Homes and businesses
were flooded in as much as 3 meters of water. Stores and supermarkets
went bare. Even those with means to respond to the disaster had
difficulty acquiring basic supplies and the fuel needed to deliver
those supplies. In response to the crises the AIDG commissioned
Xelateco to produce over 700 emergency camping stove kits that were
distributed with food packets to displaced families. It helped dig out
mudslides affecting the neighborhoods around the shop. It produced
permanent high efficiency stoves for communities that had been
relocated.
The long term response to
Stan emphasizes the need of an enterprise such as Xelateco. Groups
looking at how communities can be rebuilt so that they have more self
sufficiency and resilience to natural disasters represent one of the
largest markets for Xelateco goods. Whether it be in the form of water
pumps that don’t require electricity, high efficiency stoves or
biodigesters that decrease wood use, and thus deforestation and
mudslide danger, water filters, or off grid renewable energy systems it
is clear that Xelateco has a long term place in both rebuilding
communities affected by this tragedy and preparing communities for
future disasters.
Sustainability of Xelateco
Xelateco
has made amazing strides towards autonomy in a short period of time.
From being completely financially supported by the AIDG in August
Xelateco has emerged this December to be paying much of its own
salaries, rent, taxes, communications, electrical, and materials. While
the AIDG is still working to support Xelateco with major tool
purchases, salary subsidies, and other large item expenses, (computers,
specialized electrical equipment from the US, a truck, etc) it is now
an almost completely functional custom woodworking, metalworking,
electronics, and foundry casting operation dedicated to the production
of environmentally friendly infrastructure technologies for rural
communities. It is very likely Xelateco will beat significantly the
AIDG’s three year independence projections.
Communidad Nueva Alianza Hydro Electric Project
Xelateco’s success in
building technical capacity is primarily a result of its successful bid
for and design of a 40 house hydroelectric system for the Communidad
Nueva Alianza. For this project XelaTeco is repairing a 70 year old
penstock and decrepit civil works, building the pelton turbines and
turbine housings, designing and installing the electronic control
systems, and performing an upgrade on the electrical wiring within the
community. Materials for this project are supported by a UNDP small
grant to the community and will open the door to potential future work
with other communities participating the UN small grants program.
Current Products: Biodigesters, Ram Pumps, Solar Water Heaters, and Electronic Charge Controllers
In addition to the
hydroelectric system project Xelateco is currently beginning sales of
biodigesters, ram pumps, solar water heating systems, and custom charge
controllers. It is marketing these products as self install kits to
NGOs and individuals in the Quetzaltenango region. The AIDG hopes over
the coming months to make the sale of self install kits a core of
Xelateco’s business.
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