Simple practical techniques to overcome both old and new problems

  As a practical experienced engineer and inventor involved for years with projects for the
  poor I have come to realise that many of the solutions offered in developing countries
  are really quite unsuitable!
  Some offer a quick solution but can do more harm than good in the long run.

  What is on offer here are solutions that require people to get involved not only in trying
  out a new idea but applying it as best they can in their circumstances.

  Larger NGOs are welcome to freely adopt these techniquies, as have Solar Aid, Noar Foundation,
  etc., but in many cases NGOs are not able to use this approach as donors insist on getting
  quick measurable results. Handing out 'goodies' is often the only permitted policy allowed!  
  But there are really no quick answers".

  However Noar Foundation - noarfoundation.org - have a pretty unique approach to helping
  the poor and we do advise anyone to have a look through their website

  This website covers quite a range of topics so it is not possible to keep them all up-to-date.
  For those seeking the latest info we provide leaflets by post or as pdf documents on request.
  With such practical advice feedback/discussion is very important!

  Here is a quick run through with one link per main topic:

  We have been offering, for many years, simple techniques to help those in remote places to improve their
  lot. One example is using the sun for cooking.
  It is quite possible to make

  Cookit solar cookers 
  with materials costing a few dollars that are found in even in the most remote spots and thousands of
  solar cookers have been made by NGOs following our instructions. Visit
  http://biodesign.webeden.co.uk/#/solar-cookers/4525121785

  We offer a simple pv technique and have managed to interest many people but only a few have adopted

  DIY Solar.
  This is mostly because some parts have to be imported for assembly and many NGOs want only
  simple solutions
  With the advent of cheap Chinese devices it is has become of interest for the educational value of
  assembling simple pv devices such as done by the Noar Foundation – Visit
  www.facebook.com/pages/Noar-Foundation/138356399515403

  DIY Thermoelectricity
  We have shown that low cost TEC modules can be assembled to produce electricity using the waste heat
  of wood stoves. Work is going ahead to develop this so any handyman, however remote, can have
  some electric light - and perhaps a lot more later!

  More recently we have 'discovered' waste 
  Biomass Stoves. 
  These have been used in the past but the knowledge has been mostly lost.
  We have shown that sawdust, etc can be burnt, without pelletising, in a VERY simple stove – even a
  modified bucket! Visit
  http://biodesign.webeden.co.uk/#/simple-biomass-stove/4540056375

  One recent and most important discovery is 
  Conservation Agriculture (No-till). 
  This is a simple agricultural technique that is slowly spreading round the world and seems of vital importance!
  Even if you never intend to farm you should tell others about it!
  Visit
  http://biodesign.webeden.co.uk/#/conservation-agriculture/4537594625

  With ever-increasing concern about global warming and drought we have looked into simple ways
  that irrigation costs can be minimised.
  It seems that several traditional techniques that have been forgotten with the desire to be 'modern'!

  Minimal irrigation
  often means a drip system but these are not always best. The drip holes can soon get blocked!
  We provide information about Irrigation using the skills of local potters making porous pots or with
  wick irrigation.
  This allows the water to get just to the roots of plants and so stops weeds growing!
  Even better might be irrigation by Rope Wicks that we are now experimenting with.

  Go to Title on left Irrigation - Minimal

  Rope Pumps. 
  There seems no reason why they cannot be made far simpler/cheaper than those in current use where
  it is only required to raise water a few metres! Ask for more info if you can obtain rigid plastic tubing locally

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Updated February 2012