Search Nonprofits

Over 600 million Indians defecate in the open every day because they have no toilet. This practice cripples health, economic, and social outcomes. Open defecation (OD) causes the spread of infectious diseases that kill an estimated 300,000 children under five every year. The economic costs of OD total nearly $54 billion lost each year in India, with rural households bearing the highest per capita loss. Furthermore, women and girls who lack convenient access to toilets often miss school and work while they are menstruating. SHRI ends open defecation in India by constructing community toilet facilities that are free to use. They include eight toilets for women, eight for men, hand-washing stations, and a biogas digester (a large underground tank). Human excrement is stored in this tank where it decomposes to produce methane gas. SHRI uses this energy source to produce electricity, which powers a water filtration plant that uses a patented resin filter to remove arsenic, fluoride, iron, and bacterial contaminants. The resulting potable water is sold for $0.008 per liter, less than half the current market cost, helping SHRI to generate revenue to offset its monthly facility O&M costs. This ensures facility cleanliness, a key predictor of sustained toilet use. Thus SHRI fights alongside rural Indian communities to end open defecation as a key step in the struggle for health equity, and social and economic justice.

To ensure American competitiveness in a flat world by leading and supporting the national effort to expand U.S. capability through increasing the number of successful African American, American Indian, and Latino young women and men in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) is committed to supporting Latinos who work in the science, mathematics, information sciences, new media, telecommunications, and technology sector. Our mission is to educate, motivate and encourage the use of technology for the empowerment of the Latino community in order to conquer the digital divide. We do this by bringing various elements of technology under one central hub to provide our partners and members of the Latino community with the tools they need to succeed in a highly advanced and technological driven society. More specifically our organization: Builds and strengthens our stakeholder’s proficiency in the information technology, science and telecommunications sector. Facilitates our member’s business opportunities within all levels of the IT, IS, and telecommunications industry. Represents the interest of over 50,000,000 Hispanics across the country and their interest in the IT, IS, and Telecommunications industry. LISTA can help Latino information technology, information science, and telecommunications professionals succeed in the industry. LISTA provides professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and students with a pathway from the schoolroom to the boardroom through education, mentoring, business networking and services that enhances personal growth. Professionals and executives get access to mentoring, professional career and life coaching, training and job placement assistance. The opportunities available in our local chapters, as well as our national organization help you build the connections you need to advance in your career or business. Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) offers you the resources, information, and support you will need to reach your goals. As a member, you will have a wealth of resources, interaction with peers and many business leaders. When you become a member of LISTA, you will be part of a team and work with leaders in over twelve states across the USA. Join Now!!!