The Appropriate Technology Collaborative creates new sustainable technologies that promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for low income people worldwide.  They design, develop, demonstrate and distribute affordable technological solutions that empower people and promote dignity. ATC works in collaboration with local talent and other nonprofits 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.

It starts here.... I received this email from The Appropriate Technology Collaborative:


With a very successful 2011 just completed we received an unexpected opportunity for Friends of ATC to volunteer on a project in Guatemala.

February 25 - March 3, 2012 ATC will be overseeing the design and installation of a solar photovoltaic system for the CECAP school, the Center for Vocational Education in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala. This is a project that ATC has been working on since 2009, and now we are writing to you with a unique invitation to personally take part in its final stages. As a volunteer for ATC, you will work side-by-side with ATC staff and local technical students and other village residents on a project that will improve educational outcomes and eventually help students launch social entrepreneurial ventures in the region to sell the lights on a residential and commercial scale. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to sustainable economic development and humanitarian concerns, but we have also arranged for you to learn about the culture of our Guatemalan partners on this project.


You also will be working with some of the top names in green, sustainable development. ATC’s founder and executive director John Barrie will act as project director (please see http://apptechdesign.org/), and he will be joined on-site by Charlie Rendall of San Marcos, Guatemala by way of London, England, who is a world-class green building expert.


We have worked with our clients in Santa Cruz for several years to set this up, and we greatly respect their skills, talents, and their strong will to improve their lives and the lives of their children. This is our first opportunity to introduce our friends in Santa Cruz to our friends in the U.S. We very much hope you will join us!


Cheers, and we hope to see you in Santa Cruz,

John Barrie

Executive Director
The Appropriate Technology Collaborative
1100 North Main StreetSuite 107
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
www.apptechdesign.org

This project is funded in part by the Rotary Foundation, IEEE Foundation and Friends of The Appropriate Technology Collaborative