Practical technology. Local partnerships.
Working with communities in Guatemala on solar lighting, clean water, food preservation, and tools for rural midwives. Explore our current work and the university projects getting started.
The Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC)
ATC works with local partners in Guatemala to bring Solar Home Units and ceramic water filters to families, develop solar food dehydrators, and expand access to fetal Dopplers for rural midwives.
Since 2008, we have worked with engineering professionals and university students to design practical solutions to development challenges.
Our Current Work
ATC works with local partners in Guatemala to bring practical technology into everyday use: solar lighting and clean water for homes, solar food dehydration, and equipment for rural midwives.
Solar Energy and Clean Water
88 homes reached toward our current 100-home goal. Families receive Solar Home Units and ceramic water filters through our partnership with the ACTOCHI Midwives Association.
Rubén Mata, ATC’s Project Coordinator in Guatemala, coordinates installations and follow-up. Midwives identify families in need and teach the use and care of water filters.
Our related GlobalGiving projects support this shared work through household energy access, family health, and reduced dependence on candles and kerosene.
Solar Food Dehydrators
From field testing to classroom use. Our Phase 4 solar dehydrator has been built and installed at Eco Spanish School in San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala, where it is being used in classes.
Building on the field-tested Phase 3 design, ATC is refining drawings, evaluating build costs, and improving designs for practical local use and replication.
Solar drying helps preserve harvests and creates possibilities for families and microentrepreneurs to store, use, and sell produce beyond the harvest season.
Tools for Rural Midwives
15 Dopplers purchased; delivery pending. Our goal is 30 additional devices for 35 rural midwives. At the start of the project, they shared five devices while caring for 130 pregnant women.
The goal is to give these experienced midwives better access to equipment for checking fetal heart rates and supporting timely referrals for clinic or hospital care.
This effort builds on the same trusted midwife partnership that connects families with solar lighting and clean water. As of September 20, 2026, Rubén is coordinating delivery of the first 15 devices, subject to travel conditions; another 15 remain toward the purchase goal.
The household milestone above reflects our 2026 project reports and is shared across the related solar initiatives.
University Projects Getting Started
Alongside our work in Guatemala, three university projects are beginning. These are early-stage efforts; designs and results will be shared as the work develops.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Solar Home Unit Localization
A project focused on localizing Solar Home Units for use in Guatemala.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Solar Water Extractor
A student project beginning work on a solar water extractor.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Battery State-of-Charge Tester
A student project beginning work on a battery state-of-charge tester.
Contact ATC about collaborating or supporting these projects
Our Impact
What do we do?
We design and test appropriate technologies and programs by working with the people we serve. Together we create effective, sustainable solutions. We provide technical training and social business programs that raise awareness of and expand access to technologies that protect public health and the environment.
Who we are
We are an international community of engineers, architects, business professionals, development experts, students, and volunteers working together to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Our approach
We collaborate with community leaders to identify, plan, and implement programs that address poverty, expand access to opportunity, and protect the environment.
What do we do?
We design and test appropriate technologies and programs by working with the people that need to create effective, sustainable solutions. Technical training and social business programs spread awareness and access to technologies that protect public health and the environment.
Who we are
We are an international community of engineers, architects, business professionals, development experts, students, and volunteers working together to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Our approach
We collaborate with community leaders to identify, plan and implement programs to address fundamental problems in poverty including access to opportunity, and environmental degradation.
How you can contribute to our mission
Donate
Your support helps us bring water filters and solar lamps to isolated families suffering economic stress.
Volunteer
You can volunteer online, abroad, or in the US to design, develop, distribute and promote new appropriate technologies.
Carbon Credits
Support ATC’s environmental and community projects through our Carbon Credits fundraising page on GlobalGiving.
Grassroots Development Projects
ATC hosts volunteer projects in remote regions, as shown in this video, as well as locations with modern accommodations. Contact us if you or your group would like to volunteer with us in Guatemala.
