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AIDG Quarterly Update: Q3 2005 |
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Tuesday, 23 August 2005 |
Greetings From Xela,
It has been another great
quarter for AIDG. We are now training Guatemalan workers to produce
windmills, biodigesters, micro hydroelectric installations and other
appropriate technologies in our first incubated workshop, XelaTeco.
This enterprise represents a unique development resource for Xela and
the whole of Guatemala. From talks with local development agencies,
from small community groups to UN program administrators, it is clear
that once the workshop begins full production it will be serving a much
needed niche, providing low cost, environmentally sound infrastructure
solutions for development projects. This is a new development model for
Central America, and it holds great promise for replication in other
regions.
Taller Xela Teco
 The Taller (workshop) XelaTeco (www.xelateco.com)
is an amazing collection of talented engineers who previously were
struggling in the limited employment opportunities of Xela. One of our
mechanical engineering specialists with experience installing
hydroelectric systems, and solar power systems, was bottling beer in a
local beer factory for a fraction of his XelaTeco wage because it made
the most economic sense. Our foundry expert, a 72 year instructor of
underprivileged children in metallurgy and metalworking at a local
school, was stuck without work and an unlivable pension after the
school had closed due to lack of funds. He now instructs a new
generation of engineers at XelaTeco in the finer aspects of casting
hydroelectric turbines from recycled metals. Our electronics expert who
had to leave university to support his family after the death of his
father is now teaching university engineers how to create low cost
charge controllers for our wind and hydroelectric systems.
We
are currently training this team to begin production in late September
of environmentally sound infrastructure improvements for use in
development projects in the greater Xela region. This serves a much
needed niche of quality, low cost, locally produced and maintained, ecologically
minded products that solve the infrastructure needs of the rural poor.
Every one of the NGOs doing development work in the region that we have
approached about the venture has expressed interest in obtaining
Xelateco products once production begins.
Donations
Before
the workshop begins full production however we need continued support
to provide further training on production, installation and quality
control. Towards this end the AIDG has received generous matching funds
from the Seth Murray and Stephanie Herring Fund of up to $2500 for
funds raised in August, September and October. For every donation we
receive from the general public the fund will match these donations up
to $2500. To be able to capitalize on this WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
If you have already donated please pass this message onto others. If
you haven’t donated please read about the workshop and consider some
support. Prior to this gift the AIDG has managed to install all of its
projects and establish XelaTeco on a budget of under $10,000. The AIDG
is an entirely volunteer organization with currently less than 5% of
its budget dedicated to non-project related expenses, including
mailings, promotional materials, festival appearances, etc. Please
spread the word, every bit of support helps us in achieving our goals.
Your donations, in addition
to supporting the low AIDG volunteer overhead expenses, provide tools,
and funds for the initial training projects which pay the XelaTeco
engineer salaries. These projects serve a dual purpose as they provide
infrastructure improvements for community based organizations, such as
schools, orphanages, and communal properties or utilities, and they
provide training and experience for XelaTeco. These projects provide
XelaTeco with the experience necessary to perform larger projects, such
as a 20 Kilowatt hydroelectric installation or a 500 pig biodigester
system. Both of which, XelaTeco is currently training to implement. The
AIDG holds relationships in finding these projects with the Xela based
rural development agency CEDEPEM and is currently maintaining projects
at the Orphanage Casa Guatemala, and the worker owned plantation
Comunidad Nueva Alianza.
AIDG.NET
In
continuing our efforts to promote the use of appropriate technologies
in infrastructure projects the AIDG is also proud to announce the
release of AIDG.NET, a new web
based resource for finding practical information on implementing and
maintaining environmentally sound infrastructure improvements. AIDG.NET
is filed with the files, links and books necessary to begin an
appropriate technology project. AIDG.NET is also a source of AIDG blogs and updated photographs of AIDG projects.
Thank
you again for all of your interest and support. We know there are
numerous agencies you could choose to support in effecting a positive
change for the environment. We are hopeful you will find the AIDG
unique in both its impact and its ability to leverage a small amount of
capital for great gains. We think our approach holds special merit in
its ability to combine environmental protection, humanitarian
outreach, and the creation of economic prosperity. But it is only with
your gifts that we will be able to reach the point where we can find
out.
Sincerely,
Peter Haas
Adam Hyde
Grey Lee
Directors, AIDG Inc.
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