Mayan Power and Light

by Appropriate Technology Collaborative
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Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light
Mayan Power and Light

Summary

Guatemala copes with one of the world's highest poverty rates, affecting over 55% of its population. As a result, thousands of families face challenges accessing basics like electricity and clean water. ATC enters the most remote areas, using a female-empowerment and community-based approach to provide education and install solar power and water filters in areas that lack proper infrastructure. Since 2011, we've reached homes of 50K people and trained 450+ women in solar and business principles.

$390,000
total goal
$152,935
remaining
863
donors
20
monthly donors
26
fundraisers
12
years

Challenge

In rural Guatemala, energy poverty, secondhand smoke, food insecurity, and contaminated water are major everyday concerns. Mayan women, 75% of whom live in poverty, face even more obstacles in overcoming struggles due to gender discrimination, disproportionate involvement in unpaid work, and unequal access to education and property. These women work tirelessly to support their families but lack the opportunities and resources needed to succeed and escape generational poverty.

Solution

MPL shapes innovative solutions to poverty in remote areas by uplifting communities through renewable energy installation and female entrepreneurship courses. To address poverty at its root causes, MPL provides three essential technologies proven to reduce emissions, increase productivity, and reduce disease: solar power, clean cookstoves, and water filters. Recently, we've expanded beyond homes, providing electricity for a school and computer lab in Santa Ana.

Long-Term Impact

MPL has affected sustainable, long-term change by considering social, environmental, and economic factors. Workshops educate women on business and green technology. Our solar LED lighting systems need a simple battery change every 5 years and are good for up to 20 years. Water filters eliminate disease-causing pathogens. More money is earned and saved. Small-scale changes make massive strides in improving families' quality of life.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

Organization Information

Appropriate Technology Collaborative

Location: Ann Arbor, MI - USA
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Project Leader:
John Barrie
Ann Arbor , MI United States
$237,065 raised of $390,000 goal
 
3,322 donations
$152,935 to go
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