Visiting card

SEMTA

Address:
SEMTA
Calle Alfredo Ascarrunz No. 2675
Casilla de Correo 2041O
Tel. 360042
La Paz- Bolivia

The Centro de Servicios Multiples en Technologias Apropiadas (SEMTA) started work on 1 June 1980, with a group of specialists who knew how to put their knowledge and practical experience to use to assist the most needy sectors of the population.

Activities

All activities are carried out together with grass-roots organizations- rural communities, artisans and urban-popular groups, by training in technical/social skills, with the aid of demonstrations and advice, and via teaching materials produced at our own centre.

Farming workshop:

- extensive Andean cultivation, fodder;
- intensive cultivation with smallscale irrigation; - market gardens; - small animals;
- organic agriculture; - afforestation.

Production workshop:

- implements;
- equipment and technologies for rural water supply;
- wells, pumps, windmills, small water tanks;
- market gardens (roofs, buildings, frames);
- artisanal fabrics (spinning wheels, looms etc.);
- traditional remedies (heaters, solar dryers);
- forging and repair of hand implements.

Health workshop:

- revival and dissemination of traditional medicine, known as kallawaya;
- production of natural medicines;
- protection of health (nutrition, basic sanitation and immunization).

Artisanal weaving workshop:

- selection and processing of fibres and wools;
- spinning, weaving, designs and looms;
- quality control, marketing.

Building workshop:

- improving methods and traditional building designs (mud bricks, solar energy) and their application for housing;

- basic services, greenhouses and civil works.

Study unit:
Studies of rural and popular urban economy, with emphasis on:

- traditional popular Andean science and technology
- feasibility
- economic analyses.

Dissemination unit:
Services:

- documentation service with about 4.500 documents classified according to the SATIS system,

- question-and-answer service, linked to the international service for socially appropriate technologies (SATIS);

- reproduction of documents;

- publications (including translations);

- audiovisuals.

Aims

· To implement technological and organizational activities that will promote self-supporting economic development among the rural population, artisans and urban settlers.

· To study and develop alternative technologies (tools, methods and systems) intended to improve the productivity of and basic services provided for rural dwellers, artisans and urban settlers, conserving the environment and based on their natural organizations.

· To exchange, coordinate and disseminate technological and organizational know-how between institutions, groups and individuals.

· To provide advice on alternative technologies to rural communities, artisanal groups and urban settlers.