Centre for Appropriate Technology (Australia) facts for kids

The Centre for Appropriate Technology Inc (CfAT) is an Australian organization that helps Indigenous Australians. It's a special kind of group that doesn't aim to make money. CfAT started in 1980 and is based in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. They also have an office in Cairns, Queensland.

CfAT works to make life better for Indigenous Australians. They do this by using "appropriate technology." This means they find and use tools and systems that fit the needs of communities. Their goal is to help people get better access to important services. These services can include things like clean water, electricity, and ways to communicate.

How CfAT Helps Communities

CfAT focuses on practical solutions for remote communities. They understand that different places need different kinds of help. For example, a technology that works well in a big city might not be right for a small, distant community. CfAT makes sure the technology they use is suitable and sustainable. This helps communities become more independent.

The Bushlight Program

One important project CfAT ran was called Bushlight. This program focused on renewable energy. Renewable energy comes from natural sources that don't run out, like the sun. Bushlight operated from 2002 to 2013.

During the Bushlight program, CfAT installed many clean energy systems. They put in over 130 of these systems. These were set up in remote areas across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland. The Bushlight program helped bring reliable power to communities that might not have had it before. This improved daily life for many people.