1. Engineers and Entrepreneurs Supporting Missions and Combatting Poverty
Brian Thomas Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Baylor University
March 19, 2013

2. What is Engineering?
One definition: “Using math and science to solve problems for people.”
What types of problems? How to make electronics function, machines operate, or bring electricity to rural people living without it.
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3. Before…

4. After…

5. My Focus: Electricity Typical Village Typical Family Size
Remote Access
Typical Family
Agriculturists
Daily Income
Energy Costs
From field research and surveys, we have established customer profiles for the region of Honduras where we are beta-testing. This photograph was taken in Pueblo Nuevo, one of the villages with a prototype franchise.
We found a great deal of uniformity among the people, and in general they are:
Agricultural Workers that grow much of their family’s food on small rented plots.
They work in fields of land-owners for $4-6 per day. About one family in 6 is a land owner.
Almost all families have a cellular telephone, but charging it often involves walking long distances and paying charging fees.
Our surveying showed that the an average family spends $7.44 on kerosene, flashlight batteries, and cell phone recharging fees every month.
Therefore, we have targeted our entry-level price to be less than this so that their funds can simply be redirected.

6. A Spectrum of Caring for the Poor
Micro Franchises
Providing Proven Business Models & Training
Micro Enterprises
Helping People Start A Small Business
Independence
Micro Lending, Banking
Loaning Money, Financial Services
Giving Money, Goods or Services
Charity
Dependency
Meeting Basic Needs
Disaster Relief
Relief
Development

7. Technology: Micro Hydro Power
Electricity generated with small-scale hydropower, a renewable energy source

8. Surveying at a Honduran Orphanage
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9. Technology: Small Windpower
Small wind turbine charges a battery in the day
Lights in the latrine at night!

10. Technology: Hydro Mechanical

11. Inside
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12. Summary You can use your God-given talents in math and science to
Serve the poor in developing countries by combatting poverty
Support foreign missions
(or even work here in the US)
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