EOS International

EOS (Emerging Opportunities for Sustainability) International is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2008 and dedicated to promoting appropriate technology in the developing world. EOS works primarily in Nicaragua providing rural families with access to low-cost technologies geared towards generating income and improving health. The three core technologies EOS implements include: drip irrigation systems, fuel-efficient barrel ovens, and biodigestors.

Since its creation in 2008 by a group of engineers from Iowa State University, EOS has been promoting and implementing technologies in villages throughout Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. In addition to working directly with farmers and families, EOS works to train and educate other development organizations and natives on how to construct and maintain these technologies in order to reach more people in need.

Core Technologies

Drip Irrigation System

EOS' Drip Irrigation System is a low-cost, low-tech irrigation method that uses less water than traditional methods focused on fighting food security and increasing incomes. Through the use of plastic tubing with small holes at consistent intervals (commonly known as drip tape), water is distributed directly to the root of a plant. A drip irrigation system requires a water source and typically consists of: a storage device, a piping system, a filter, and drip tape. Systems may include the use of rivers, wells, and portable water for the primary source as well as low-cost methods such as harvesting rainwater to allow farmers in the driest, most water scarce areas to increase yields and grow vegetables during the dry season. EOS' system uses a metal barrel as a storage device, durable plastic hose for the piping system, and plastic connectors that connect drip tape to the plastic hose. All materials are purchased in Nicaragua.

Drip irrigation exists in Nicaragua, but systems are expensive to install and are only marketed to very large-scale farmers. EOS is working to make systems available for small-scale families that live on $1–$2 per day. EOS' first drip irrigation system was installed in March 2009 at an elementary school garden in San Jose, Nicaragua. To date, EOS has installed a total of 25 systems across Nicaragua. These farmers are now harvesting crops during the six-month dry season. The EOS team of engineers has taken existing concepts and designed a system that costs less than $20, an amount of farmers can make from one growing season. In order to further reduce costs, EOS is designing a new storage device made of plastic bags, which will lower system cost to around $7.

Biodigesters

A biodigester is a simple technology that converts animal and organic wastes into biogas and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. Biodigesters are geared towards preventing deforestation while saving families time and money. The biogas can be piped to a simple gas cooking range and used as fuel, while the fertilizer can be put back on crops to increase yields. Biodigesters can yield up to five hours of gas per day, allowing families to stop cooking on wood-burning stoves. This change drastically improves their health by removing the toxic wood smoke from the kitchen and saves a significant amount of time and money spent to provide firewood.

EOS has installed more than 20 biodigesters in Nicaragua and recently began a project with a small co-operative to install 20 biodigesters in their village. While there are different types of biodigester designs, the design EOS uses consists of a plastic bag to harness the biogas and PVC pipe to connect the chamber to the gas range. All components are purchased in Nicaragua and each system costs $115. In March 2010, EOS began working with Opportunity International on a 50-biodigester project in the Nicaraguan departments of Granada and Rivas. EOS is training their technicians and local villagers on how to build, use, and maintain this type of biodigester.

Fuel-Efficient Barrel Ovens

Traditional ovens in Nicaragua are made of dirt with one cavity to place coals and bake. They are dangerous, slow, and require a tremendous amount of firewood. The EOS oven design consists of a metal barrel, bricks, and rebar and uses 75% less wood than traditional ovens. This design is much safer to use and allows for continuous baking.

When EOS began building these ovens in late 2009, they had an overwhelming response. EOS has built a total of 50 ovens to date and has a steady backlog of orders. Each oven costs $40 and upon installation, EOS provides information on how to create a business by selling baked goods to neighbors and at the market. An oven can be paid off in seven weeks by simply baking twice a week.

Technology Implementation

In the last two years, EOS International has developed a set of core technologies that are improving the quality of life for rural families by creating income generating opportunities and improving their health. EOS International's team of engineers overhaul existing concepts to improve system designs while lowering cost by removing unnecessary components and increasing the use of locally available materials.

To date, EOS has implemented their core technologies in rural villages across nine of Nicaragua's 17 departments and their target area is the municipality of El Sauce, located in the department of Leon. El Sauce has nearly 35,000 residents and is made up of small, rural communities of a few hundred people each. EOS installed demonstration systems and promoted core technologies in a number of these communities and now orders are streaming in from all over Nicaragua as local families share their successes with friends and neighbors.

Collaboration

In order to make a bigger impact, EOS International believes in a collaborative approach to development. EOS strives to collaborate with other organizations that work with appropriate technology and those that work in underserved communities throughout the developing world.

In Nicaragua, EOS is working with the Peace Corps and Opportunity International by delivering formal training to volunteers on EOS' core technologies, assisting them with system implementation and giving workshops in their communities to teach local laborers how to construct and repair these technologies. EOS' core technologies are in high demand throughout Nicaragua and they plan to begin working with other development organizations in a similar way. EOS has also developed step-by-step construction manuals for each of its technologies and is disseminating them through the Peace Corps and EOS' website.

On a larger scale, EOS hopes to play a vital role in the eradication of poverty by promoting the benefits of appropriate technology and their specific designs to other development organizations. EOS shares technical information and serves as a resource to other groups looking to implement EOS' technologies in their target communities. EOS is currently working with the Peace Corps as well as individual chapters of both Engineers Without Borders and Engineers for a Sustainable World to share their experiences, create awareness of their core technologies and develop new technologies. By partnering with other organizations, EOS plans to leverage their relationships in communities across the globe to efficiently reach more people in need.

Technology Kits

EOS' technologies use materials available in Nicaragua, but many items are bought in bulk to reduce overall price. This makes it difficult for individuals and small groups to affordably install EOS' technologies. EOS International has only one full-time staff person working in Nicaragua, yet families across the country request EOS' technologies. To solve both of these challenges and broaden their reach, EOS has developed and distributes technology kits.

After purchasing materials in bulk, EOS assembles kits of required materials and delivers them to Peace Corps Volunteers and other organizations that have been trained on correct implementation and maintenance procedures. This system has been successful thus far, and EOS will be sending their kits to organizations across Central America.

Awards

McCloskey Award

On April 15, 2011, EOS International competed as a finalist in the University of Notre Dame McCloskey Business Plan Competition hosted by the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship. The University honored EOS with the Klau Family Greatest Social Impact Award and the accompanying $15,000 prize. EOS also won the Best Elevator Pitch Competition and the Innovation Park at Notre Dame Accelerator Award.

John Pappajohn

EOS presented at the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center New Venture Challenge on March 25, 2011. EOS earned an honorable mention in the competition and a $1000 prize. The Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at Iowa State University awarded EOS $2,000 in seed money in 2008, which helped launch the organization.

References

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Development charities based in the United States
Foreign charities operating in Nicaragua
Charities based in Minnesota