July 13, 2003
Mali Folkecenter
"Mali-Folkecenter's mission is to promote the sustainable management of natural resources and the use of these resources to catalyse local economic growth & sustainable development by working in partnership with rural populations and local entrepreneurs.
Activities include: environmental protection, provision of energy services to meet the needs of rural and un-served areas using renewable energy technologies, drinking water supply, technology transfer and the training of local technicians, and delivery of enterprise development services for rural companies in the clean energy sector. MFC also participates in energy & environment policy work with the Malian government." [
MEETING OBJECTIVES:
Based on their work in solar- and wind-powered power systems, MFC will help us to understand the constraints of providing a renewable energy source for the Kinkajou projector and other DtM products in a rural village. They have also volunteered to help us with logistics in Mali. For DtM, MFC offers the opportunity to partner with an established, respected NGO with lots of creative ideas in appropriate technology (for example their south-south tech transfer of a Nepali grain press to Mali). Many of their projects are good candidates for design challenges.
