To aid in structuring information and reflection on a specific technology, I suggest two formats for checklists.

(Format A)

1. Name (artifact of skill): bomba de mecate, rope pump, rosary pump, cistern pump, bomba de soga

2. Place of use:

China, Europe, United States till today / Peru, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Guatemala

3. In use since when? (Or is it only a design or prototype?)

since old times / since introduction in 1980s

4. How is acceptance?

positive

5. Who asked for it and what was the problem?

villagers; people need pumps for lifting water

6. What other options are considered for solving the problem?

piston pumps and others are more complicated and expensive

7. How much of a priority was it?

one of daily need

8. Are other priorities more urgent, and why are they not solved first?

water is a very basic need for health and convenience

9. Who had made/introduced it?

international AT community; SIFAT, MCC

10. Where does the knowledge or the material come from?

from undated ancient knowledge, and from innovations at the spot

11. What is the most critical tool or material?

no rare materials or sills are needed other than lathing or rubbertire for making the valve; the pvc pipe is the most expensive and difficult to produce.

12. How does this solution empower the users and/or producers?

it is easy to make and maintain domestically.

13. Who gets the benefits of uses?

the owner, because he does not have to buy fuel, etc.

14. Who gets the benefit of reproduction?

ideal for small carpenter shops, so production benefit is close to the community.

15. What is the benefit for the community?

it is a good catalyst for talking about water, climate & environment, community administration.

16. What are environmental or direct health benefits and risks?

It should not get muddy around the well. More water is better than clean water!

17. What is easily misinterpreted?

1) that we can pump water without caring for harvesting and conservation of water; 2) that it can only be useful for the poor.

18. What is the cost (e.g., compared to basic daily minimum diet)?

5x daily wage to very expensive if done commercially.

19. Where is more detailed information available and at what conditions?

MCC Guatemala, SIFAT Alabama

20. What is relevance for USA/Canada?

can be very useful for people who prefer renewable muscle power.

21. Is it an active technology?

yes, it has to be made and maintained.

(Format B)

1. Name and Purpose:

dry composting latrine; for safe decomposition of human urine

2. If not a priority, why then work on it?

it is a basic priority for community health

3. Which other options are considered?

vip and pit require space and do not return fertilizer

4. Where and since when is it in good use or is it only experimental?

in Guatemala since mid '80s and in Nicaragua and Honduras since end '80s

5. Who asked for it, from where is the idea, and who supported introduction?

Cemat introduced the idea from Vietnam into Guatemala, once known the highland indians encouraged improvements through Cemat and MCC.

6. What is easily misinterpreted?

the latrine can be made very nice and is a very valid option for every social status, rural and urban, superior to any other runoff system

7. What is the most crucial in promotion, production, installation, maintenance?

to be promoted only among people with understanding for environment, to be promoted among local authorities, as much as among the needy poor

construction requires skill and thus repetition

maintenance requires couple visits of encouragement, and after a year active involvement in agricultural implementation

8. What is the price as compared to minimum daywage?

investment is about 50 daywages, to be returned by fertilizer value in two or three years (depends on participation in construction, and inflation)

9. What is the benefit and risk for health of user and neighbors?

no risks if well done, sanitary effect is minimal if neighbors continue malpractice

10. What is the benefit and risk for economy of user and neighbors?

no risks if well done, better health through cheaper fertilizer and cleaner home results in less expense for medicine, sickness time and so.

11. How does it empower the user and the neighbors?

if well done it encourages ongoing agricultural and environmental awareness

12. What is the relevance for the "developed" part of this world?

similar systems (Clivus Multrum) are appropriate for "developed" people

13. Where is more detailed information available?

Cemat Guatemala, MCC Guatemala, CEPAD Nicaragua