e help to build strong
partnerships with local ELCs and expand knowledge transfer one technology at
a time. As this partnership grows, we help to build and establish regional
Centers for Appropriate Technology and Indigenous Sustainability - CATISes -
throughout the world that are owned and operated by the host community so
that this knowledge can continue to expand and reach the masses. iCATIS' mission is to continually push for the ability of economically
limited communities (ELCs) to have access to knowledge and trainings to
improve living conditions and meet basic life needs of air, water, food,
clothing, energy, and shelter. We develop, technologies such as our ceramic
water filter system, so ELCs can learn how to make ceramic water filter
systems themselves, and out of this, they can develop their own local
manufacturing and sales business. After initial seed funds to help get the
business established, we develop our solutions so that each technology or
center has its own business plan for being self-sustainable. In this way,
sales revenue from each aspect helps to ensure the business will continue to
spread the knowledge to ELCs in need. For example, iCATIS has helped to
establish CATIS-Mexico, which currently produces ceramic water filter
systems in central Mexico, as well as MK Kilns, compressed earth blocks,
bricks, and innovative agricultural solutions. iCATIS has also been working
to develop two new CATISes - CATIS-Haiti and CATIS-Apache Nation - both of
which have already completed filter system assembly training and are
currently working to locate funds to expand filter system businesses.
