DISQUS

Andy Lyde · 7 months ago

Kevin,
While I can't comment on how appropriate the use of the term, "Appropriate Technology," is in the situations you bring up (laptops, communication devices), I will say that it is a very appropriate term considering things like housing, water filtration, agriculture, and solar power in developing nations. For example, my organization, after building houses for the poor in Mexico for 25 years, is starting to build in South Africa. We have a great house design for use in the border towns of Mexico, but it is not culturally appropriate in South Africa though the current living conditions are similar. We not only have to find a house design appropriate for the culture, we also have to find materials appropriate to culture and cost. While houses built with wood are appropriate in some parts of Mexico, they are not in South Africa.

Water filters are another example. A lot of the families we build for have access to clean water, but at a high cost to them. We tested a bio-sand filter that was extremely efficient and cheap. The problem was that it didn't fit into the culture. It took a lot of upkeep and even though using it would save a family enough money every year to send one of their children to school, it was just easier to buy the bottled water.

All this to say that I think the term, "Appropriate Technology" is the right term. Instead of being condescending, I think it reminds us that what works for us in our culture doesn't work everywhere. It reminds us that, most of all, we have to listen to the needs of the host culture and find an appropriate solution with them, not for them.

Looking forward to seeing more posts from you and learning about what you have to say.

Andy Lyde
Amor Ministries
www.amor.org/blog