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GENERAL BROCHURE
V I T A
Information & Communications Services for Development
* * *
THE CONNECT PROGRAM
Imagine . . . a health worker in Zambia carrying on an "online"
conversation with a doctor in Boston in order to make a diagnosis
for a critically ill patient; . . . a teacher in rural Ghana
receiving by satellite locally-relevant and badly-needed
instructional materials; . . . an agricultural researcher from
Ecuador using the world~s greatest libraries to identify and
learn how to eradicate a major pest ~ without leaving the office;
. . . a government official in Indonesia using remote monitoring
technology to learn more about the natural resource base of his
country; or . . . a community of users in Central and East Europe
brought together by computer and communication technology to
learn about and teach democracy.
All of this is possible today through VITA~s CONNECT Program
which is dedicated to a vision of connecting people to people and
people to information. VITA is a pioneer in the field of informa-
tion and communications technology that helps eliminate the
~last-mile~problem of linking rural or isolated people into
information networks. VITA realizes the opportunities in the new
information age that will allow people to improve the quality of
their lives by accessing resources which will help them reduce
poverty, overcome hunger and disease, and mitigate natural
disasters. With CONNECT, VITA furthers its mission of empowering
the poor to manage their own development.
INFORMATION SERVICES
VITA has been providing the developing world with information
services for over 35 years. VITA~s oldest program, the Inquiry
Service, has responded to more than 200,000 requests for techni-
cal information. In addition to providing requestors with custom-
ized information, VITA distributes the more than 200 manuals and
papers it has published, makes available its electronic newslet-
ter through internet and BITNET, and broadcasts a weekly Voice of
America program ~ all of which focus on technical issues related
to international development.
VITA also supplies information on natural disasters and man-made
crises such as civil strife and refugee movements worldwide.
VITA~s Disaster Information Center provides situation reports,
travel advisories, and other disaster-related information to
relief agencies through several electronic networks and bulletin
boards.
Regardless of the type of information, it is most effective when
supplemented with training. VITA regularly offers information
management courses at VITA headquarters and various overseas
sites. Participants learn to set up and operate specialized
information systems using personal computers and to access data
from around the world, so that they and their organizations are
able to become members of a global network of information profes-
sionals.
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Presently, many people around the world are isolated by lack of
communications capabilities ~ services are either too expensive,
unreliable, or simply not available in remote locations. In
response, VITA developed several communications technologies to
serve people regardless of their location and circumstances.
VITA uses a variety of mechanisms for providing communications
services ~ including space technology. VITA currently has a
low-earth-orbiting satellite in orbit and will launch another by
the end of 1994. VITA produces several different types of ground-
stations to communicate with the satellites. One groundstation is
so compact it fits in a small case which can easily be carried by
hand for use anywhere.
VITA also utilizes digital packet radio technologies which allow
computer-to-computer communications without dependence on tele-
phone lines or satellites. In addition, VITA has developed many
electronic messaging and bulletin board systems. And VITA is an
Internet host.
All of VITA~s technologies are low-cost, easy-to-use, and reli-
able. They are compatible with one another and other communica-
tions systems. And they may be powered by a variety of sources
including solar photovoltaics, so are not dependent on standard
electrical grids.
FIELD PROJECTS
VITA puts useful information and communications technologies
directly to work in its field projects ~ collecting, testing, and
disseminating information crucial to development. While VITA
designs and implements field projects that address many problems,
it specializes in programs that promote economic growth and
respect for the environment.
For years, VITA has nurtured economic growth through the provi-
sion of enterprise development services. These services encompass
credit and training programs that allow entrepreneurs to expand
and diversify their businesses ~ thereby creating new jobs and
wealth in the private sector. However, VITA realizes that because
everyday activities in developing countries are often intimately
connected to the natural environment, there can be no sustainable
economic development without wise management of natural resourc-
es. Therefore, VITA projects foster conservation techniques and
the use of renewable energy technologies.
VITA projects are located around the world and each corresponds
to the socioeconomic realities of the country or region of focus.
In addition, VITA projects reflect long-range development goals
by increasing the capacity of local organizations and ensuring
host country managers are prepared to replace expatriate advi-
sors.
* * *
VITA TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
In the developing world, Volunteers in Technical Assistance is
probably best known for the VITA Technical Information Service.
For thirty-five years, technical information has been provided,
free of charge to individuals and groups, and as such responds to
the expressed needs of people trying to seek their own solutions,
to help themselves.
At the center of the system is the VITA Volunteer, a highly
skilled individual who has a strong desire to help others. He or
she becomes personally involved through direct correspondence
with the requestor, and this attachment can last as long as the
requestor feels a need for technical assistance. Today there are
over 5,000 VITA Volunteers whose skills are accessible through
the computerized skills roster. Technical inquiries are farmed
out to Volunteers after a computer search selects the appropriate
names. VITA can answer inquiries in English, French, and
Spanish.
Frequently asked technical questions are also answered with
standard responses, using basic documents that have been tested
over the years for their usefulness in developing country
situations. A feature of the Information Service is the creation
of detailed Technical Papers written by VITA Volunteers, and
edited by VITA for simplicity and clarity of language on subjects
for which requests for information are repeatedly received. VITA
staff regularly discuss topics of the Technical Papers in
overseas programs of the Voice of America.
Today, VITA is receiving over 25,000 inquiries annually.
Occasionally, simply outlined plans, devised by VITA Volunteers
to solve particular problems and found to be useful in many
different parts of the world, are used to respond to requests.
An example of this is, a simple well-drilling rig, or an
inexpensive solar cooker. Many of these drawings are contained
in the Village Technology Handbook, first published by VITA in
1971. It has since been translated into French and Spanish. The
handbook is often found in the back pocket of Peace Corps and
other development workers in remote rural villages. The latest
English edition of the handbook was published in April 1988.
Price catalog for this and other VITA publications is available
on request which includes several titles on water related topics.
In recent years, more and more inquiries from Third World
requestors are seeking information to start a small business,
upgrade an existing enterprise, or enter some kind of income
generating activity to augment family income. The end result of
the VITA inquiry process is increasingly the development of small
business jobs.
Examples of recent VITA Information Service requests:
~ A businessman from India requested technical assistance
to improve the quality of solid fuels he was supplying to
the hotel industry.
~ A resident of Brazil requested information on building a
water treatment system
~ A company in Nigeria requested information on growing and
processing of mushrooms to cater to the hotel industry in
Lagos.
~ A technology center in Botswana requested advice on the
method of accurate measurement and control of temperature
in ovens used by their clients' bakeries.
The Information Service is provided free of charge to residents
of developing countries. A fee schedule for people from developed
countries is available on request.
For information contact: Brij Mathur
* * * * *
HOW TO REQUEST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM VITA
VITA is equipped to provide comprehensive technical assistance,
applicable to specific technical problems. In order to do this,
however, VITA must receive complete, detailed information from
you.
Briefly describe the objective of your project. Who and how many
will benefit from the results?
Please answer in detail all applicable questions below, attaching
extra sheets of paper if necessary.
1. a. What is the technical problem you wish to solve?
b. What is the cause of the problem, and what are the
limiting factors to its solutions?
2. Have you or others tried to solve the problem? Please
describe efforts, including past results, and any ideas
you now have for a solution.
3. Please answer the following questions to demonstrate your
capabilities for undertaking this project.
a. How much money will this project require?
b. How much money do you have for this project?
c. If you do not have all the money required how do
you plan to raise the rest of the money? Please
note that VITA does not give loans or grants.
d. Do you and/or others working on the problem have
technical skills (please describe skill levels).
e. Are there legal, political, or social constraints
to your project?
4. What raw or processed materials needed for your project
are locally available?
5. Do you have access to tools (metal, machine shop, carpentry,
etc.) that are required for your project? What power source
is used in the workshop?
6. Have you contacted local organizations or sources of
technical assistance? Please describe any contact you
have had.
7. If your project is the work of a group or organization,
please describe your activities and/or enclose a brochure.
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ONLY IF THEY RELATE TO YOUR
PROBLEM/PROJECT
8. Describe climatic/geographic features: rainfall,
temperatures, humidity, wind, etc. Is the area
mountainous, level, tropical, inland, coastal, etc.
9. If you are developing a product, please answer the
following:
a. What is the market potential (where are the
customers, how many, where, what is the demand)?
b. Is adequate transport available and what kind?
Name (please print) _________________________________
Street Address ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________
City ___________________ Dist./State_________________
Postal Code_______________ Country __________________
* * * * *
VITA VOLUNTEERS
The Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) is a not-for-profit
private voluntary organization which was established by scien-
tists and engineers in 1959 for the purpose of responding to
technical inquiries from people in developing countries. That
service and the volunteers who make it possible--5,000 in 114
countries--remain the core of VITA's technology transfer servic-
es. Among them are skilled professionals in dozens of disciplines
who give freely of their spare time and share their knowledge in
responding to the thousands of requests for information received
each year.
Staff members in VITA's Information Service match up the request-
er with an appropriately skilled volunteer from the computerized
file. The volunteers respond with designs, analyses, guidelines,
evaluations--whatever the requester requires. Some requests are
satisfied by a single response, others develop into lengthier
exchanges stretching over weeks or months, as the volunteer helps
the requester work out problems that may arise as projects are
implemented.
Among the types of questions that can be answered at least
partially, and often fully, via by-mail consulting are those
related to solving Technical problems; designing appropriate
equipment and structures; determining equipment and material
needs; detailing plant layout and facilities requirements;
modifying existing technical designs; conducting laboratory
analysis and testing; defining project design; developing needs
assessment guidelines; and performing evaluations.
VITA Volunteers may also be asked to do occasional work on site
in support of field projects--technology trouble shooting, needs
assessments, and evaluations are just a few of the possibilities.
In addition, VITA Volunteers serve on technical panels, write and
review publications, brainstorm policy issues, formulate promo-
tional strategies, etc., all in an effort to help VITA deliver
its services more effectively.
VITA handles inquiries in virtually any technical area, but
places special emphasis on:
o Small enterprise development
o Renewable energy applications
o Agriculture
o Reforestation
o Water supply and sanitation
o Low-cost housing construction
VITA asks three questions of an individual who wants to become a
VITA Volunteer:
1. Do you have technical skills that would be of use to others?
2. Are you willing to share them?
3. Why do you wish to be a VITA Volunteer?
-- To participate in Third World economic development
-- To use my technical/professional skills and resources
-- To express interest in international affairs
-- To support VITA as an organization
-- To use my spare time participating in activities sup-
porting the less fortunate
-- Other
Please note that VITA is not a job placement group for volun-
teers. VITA Volunteers offer their spare time without compensa-
tion to help the less fortunate. The potential for involving
volunteers in still more creative and imaginative ways encourages
VITA's growth.
If being a VITA Volunteer interests you, or if you have more
questions about the volunteer network, feel free to call or write
to VITA.
* * * * *
VITA's publications catalog information can be retrieved in
either of two ways.
1. The catalog information is presented on VITA's gopher server
which can be reached at
vita.org
2. The entire catalog is available as an ASCII file on the
anonymous-ftp server.
host: vita.org
directory: /pub/vita.info
filename: 94pubcat.txt
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! Brij Mathur Tel: +1 (703) 276-1800 !
! Director, Information Services Fax: +1 (703) 243-1865 !
! VITA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] !
! 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500 Telex: 440192 VITAUI !
! Arlington, VA 22209, USA !
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