Turbine for XeloTeco’s hydroelectric project. Photo: Courtesy of AIDG

Peace & Light

Gearing Up for Development

Candido Ichel was trained in a technical school in metalwork, and was looking for a job. Maria Natalia Poz, draftswoman par excellence, had always been interested in mechanical engineering. Both caught the attention of the Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group, which Benny Lee, G06, founded with friends while studying urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts. AIDG seeks out homegrown technical talent in developing countries and uses it to incubate businesses that will supply electricity, sanitation, clean drinking water, and other badly needed basic services. The group’s first effort, a startup called XeloTeco, brought together eight bright, motivated Guatemalans, including Candido and Maria. All poured their energies into environmentally sound projects such as designing and installing a UN-funded 16-kilowatt hydroelectric system to provide lighting for 200 residents.