Cochapeti is a community about 20 miles from Malvas, and up another 1500 feet or so. In order to begin to work with the folks in Cochapeti, and to introduce them to the idea of solar power, and to give them technology which would be useful, we installed a small system which would power a 10 watt hand held radio. The 10 watt radio would connect them with Malvas, who could then contact the hospital at the base of the mountain.

This photo shows one of our students, Luis Alegria (in glasses and a gray sweater), Pepe (kneeling by the antenna), and a number of the residents of Cochapeti, with the small array and antenna for the radio.

This picture illustrates a basic principle of PerUML. We would much rather begin small - introduce a small setup in a community - let them get used to it - encourage them to ask questions - and then when they themselves have a plan for how to use a larger set up, work with them in installing it. Too often solar power ideas, along with high tech ideas in general, have been imposed on communities, without consultation, without listening to them say what they need. We need to listen to the people and let them tell us what they need, and give them time in which to say it, and to develop their ideas, even if that time is measured in years.

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