Solar Midwives and Families

Dear Friend,

Because of your support, ATC has now installed solar home units and ceramic water filters in 58 homes in rural Guatemala toward our current goal of serving 100 families by July 2026.

That means 58 families now have safer light at night, cleaner drinking water, and practical household infrastructure that continues working long after installation day.

Our partnership with the ACTOCHI Midwives Association continues to be one of the strongest parts of this work. The midwives know the families, understand the daily challenges of rural households, and continue to help identify those with the greatest need. They also teach families how to properly use and maintain their ceramic water filters.

One of the strongest signs that this work matters is that the midwives continue asking when ATC can install more systems. They see the impact firsthand: safer conditions for mothers and newborns, better nighttime visibility, cleaner water for small children, and reduced household costs for families who previously relied on candles, kerosene, or unsafe water sources.

Each solar home unit also allows families to charge cell phones at home. This is more than a convenience. In many households, children - often girls - may spend valuable time traveling to town centers and waiting for a family phone to charge. With charging available at home, that time can instead be used for schoolwork, family responsibilities, or income-generating activities such as weaving and craft-making.

Rural mothers have told us that better-quality solar lighting allows them to work at night and can reduce craft-making time by as much as 50%. For families with limited and seasonal income, that additional productive time can make a meaningful difference.

These systems are installed by Ruben, ATC's project lead in Guatemala. ATC's model is intentionally local: solar home units are purchased through a local store, and the ceramic Ecofilters are made in Guatemala by local artisans. This means each installation supports not only the receiving family, but also local businesses and local economic activity.

This progress is possible because of you.

Your support helps build durable infrastructure - solar energy, clean water, local capacity, and household resilience. It helps midwives serve families more safely. It helps small children grow up with cleaner water. It helps parents work, study, and care for their families under safe, reliable light.

As we continue toward our goal of 100 families, we are grateful for the donors who make this work possible and for the midwives who continue guiding us toward the families who need it most.

Thank you for helping light homes, improve health, and strengthen rural families in Guatemala.

John Bottenberg
Acting Executive Director
The Appropriate Technology Collaborative

Learn more about ATC: https://apptechcollaborative.org/

Support ATC through GlobalGiving: https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/7267/appropriate-technology-collaborative/