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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 ================================================================ ! 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 ! ================================================================