"Landlocked by South Africa, but distanced from it by huge mountain ranges, Lesotho is an often-surprising combination of rapidly-developing modernity and ancient culture." This small country, covering approximately 30,000 square kilometers, is about the size of the state of Maryland. It has been controlled by the British and the Boers, but it is currently independently run under a parlimentary constitutional monarchy.

Home to over 2,000,000 residents, Lesotho is one of the most ethnically-homogenous countries in the world, with 99% of its residents being of Sotho background. Lacking development and many modern conveniences, approximately 86% of the population is involved in subsistence agriculture, and many of the men earn a living working in the mines in South Africa. AIDS is epidemic, exportable natural resources are almost nonexistent, and nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. Lesotho is considered a developing country, and the impact of technology on the modernization of this country could be tremendous.

For more information on Lesotho, check the CIA World Fact Book or the Lonely Planet Traveler's Guide to Lesotho.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is "a world-class educational institution. Teaching and research—with relevance to the practical world as a guiding principle—continue to be its primary purpose. MIT is independent, coeducational, and privately endowed. Its five schools and one college encompass 34 academic departments, divisions, and degree-granting programs, as well as numerous interdisciplinary centers, laboratories, and programs whose work cuts across traditional departmental boundaries." Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States of America, this institution has 4,500 undergraduate students, 6,000 graduate students, and approximately 1,000 professors of all levels. For more information about MIT, please check the MIT Facts page.

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Over the past year, undergraduate students from MIT have had the opportunity to interact with D.S. Phakisi and ATS regarding development projects in Lesotho. Working with a former Peace Corps volunteer, these students visited Lesotho in January of 2005 to look at possible applications of technology in the development of Lesotho (The micro hydro turbine and the solar parabola electricity generator are both projects being investigated by the students).

It was quickly realized that ATS could use help from students and staff at MIT in developing some of its ideas. Communication via email and phone proved difficult and costly, so another solution was needed. This web site is that solution. Instead of allowing project ideas to spread by word of mouth alone, it clearly documents what is being done, what problems need to be investigated, and what solutions already exist. In addition, the Internet allows much easier communication through a discussion forum and with pictures and drawings.

Return visits to Lesotho will be conducted on an annual basis, typically during the January Independent Activtities Period (IAP).

The Projects:

Encompassing several different topics, the projects that are highlighted in this online resource are ones currently being worked on by ATS engineers (NOTE: Past projects are also documented, along with pictures, for interested visitors.). The level of completedness ranges significantly, from the ideas stage to products that are already on the market. The principal users and beneficiaries of each project have been clearly identified, and the current problems or research areas are also highlighted.

Interested viewers can use the online forum to ask questions or start a discussion about a project or solution. In addition, email can be used to contact the Lesotho counterparts (Though the preferred means of communication is by the online forum to prevent overloading the email servers and allow others to see which ideas are being pursued).

Projects are currently being considered by Engineers Without Borders for use as potential research projects in the UK.

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The current goal of this web site is to connect those needing technical resources and advice to those with easy access to such resources. Specifically, this basic online project database seeks to allow MIT educators and students to apply their skills to basic problems that are being encountered by the engineers of ATS in Lesotho. It is hoped that such a database will lead to faster development of technical solutions as well as educate MIT students about engineering in developing countries.

The long-term goal is to create a model for technology-based interactions between in-country professionals and remote students, educators, and other professionals. Eventually, a large-scale database which encompasses several different global organizations, schools, and individuals could be set up so that communication can be greatly increased. This MIT-ATS site is a testing ground for the concept; as such, your comments and feedback are an essential part of the process.

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This site was constructed by Matt Zedler, an MIT mechanical engineering undergradute, during a return trip to Lesotho. While in-country, he interviewed the engineers at ATS and documented several projects using various tools. In addition, Matt set up local equipment to measure water flow on the Senqu River to help further develop the micro-hydro electric generator project. The results of his documentation form the basis for this website which will be maintained both locally and remotely. Matt was funded by MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), MIT's IDEAS competition, and a Shell Personal Development Award.

The site is currently hosted by its creator, Matt Zedler, on his personal web space. It is hoped that once the initial documentation is completed, the site can be hosted locally by ATS and remotely by MIT's Edgerton Center and Public Service Center's International Development Initiative.

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