Biogas power station

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Published: Saturday, 04 January 2014 15:58

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This video is only in italian available.

Electricity generated by a waste product is a wonderful idea. Rice husks which in the past were washed away by the river are now gathered and used to generate gas. The methane is conducted from an incinerator to the tank of a lorry engine which in turn fuels a dynamo. The 100 Kw  generated is sufficient to supply electricity to each of the 800 houses.  Since 2013 a whole village has been energized with this method.

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Emergency aid after natural catastrophes

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Published: Saturday, 04 January 2014 15:56

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After the disastrous typhoon Nargis in May 2008 which claimed over 200.000 lives, the immediate response from the Maria Schregel charitable organization provided food for 1,700 survivors who found shelter in the mission.

The building of dry shelters and facilities in the wake of the monsoon as well as medical supplies and daily food was financed in the first five months thanks to funds raised by the Maria Schregel organization.

Ricebank

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Published: Saturday, 04 January 2014 15:55

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 A Bank is not always a financia lconcern. There are new kinds of banks such as the so-called “rice bank”. Today, “Rice banks” are recognized institutions in several of the world’s poorest countries.

Through the ‘rice-bank’, The Maria Schregel organization wants farmers, whose rice harvests are ruined by flooding or other natural disasters, to avoid having to resort to moneylenders whose exorbitant rates of interest make them little more than modern day slaves. In the areas where we fund projects, the farmers’ livelihoods depend on the cultivation of rice. These farmers are allocated a piece of land that had previously lain fallow so they can farm themselves. Rice is a common mode of payment.                                                                                 

A one-off start-up capital: between 500 kg and 750 kg of rice seed is provided by the Maria Schregel charitable organization.

Microcredit

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Published: Saturday, 04 January 2014 15:52

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The Maria Schregel organization grants credit  to widowed or single women with children. This enables the women to build up a new livelihood and secure their future, for example, by breeding chickens, ducks, pigs and fish.  After the  presentation of a possible project, an independent committee from the village decides on the allocation of the credit. The restitution of the loan to the fund takes place within one or two years with a minimal rate per cent.

A review of several years of experience with micro-credit demonstrates its overwhelming success because of its outcomes and achievements.

All the women who participated found a new perspective for the future as well as recovering   their self esteem.  The unmistakable glow in their eyes alone reveals this success. They are changed and proud women whose perseverance has established a viable livelihood for their families. Thanks to this micro credit, they have a new future.