The Southern Institute for Appropriate Technology (SIFAT) is a 176-acre facility located in rural Lineville, Alabama, whose mission is to raise awareness of global issues and provide opportunities for those interested in global health to learn hands-on skills in the development and use of appropriate technologies around the world. In the developing world, SIFAT trains leaders in practical self-help skills and community development principles. Since its founding in 1979, SIFAT has trained community leaders from 82 countries around the globe in practical skills to meet basic human needs.   

The Sparkman Center works directly with SIFAT to offer periodic seminars and workshops, combining the best in academic research with appropriate technologies in a community development context to address basic human needs essential to good health around the world. Facilitated by renowned professionals with extensive field practice experience, practical training at SIFAT emphasizes the subjects of water and sanitation, food and nutrition, alternative energy, primary health care, microenterprise development, participatory community development, training of trainers, cross-cultural sensitivity training, and conflict resolution. The Sparkman Center provides scholarships for UAB students and faculty to attend SIFAT training courses, including those listed below.  

This course is designed to give participants a better understanding of major causes of world hunger and malnutrition and demonstrate specific appropriate technologies that can be used to combat hunger and malnutrition. It is meant to increase sensitivity to community development and cross-cultural issues and provide a learning atmosphere of adult participatory education which includes engaged dialogue, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. Students have the opportunity to:

• Learn roof-top gardening
• Build a simple solar cooker
• Make leaf concentrate to treat malnourished children
• Learn some simple technologies for clean water and sanitation
• Build fuel-efficient cookstoves
• Learn to preserve foods and "refrigerate" without electricity 

What past students have to say about the course:

 "I had an inspiring experience at SIFAT that was very interesting and informative! I learned so much about alleviation of malnutrition through appropriate technologies, and came home with great resources. So, thank you for the opportunity!"

 "I was happy I participated in that training program. It was rewarding as the technology and community engagement approaches will be be very helpful. It was so amazing to realize that very simple technologies if adopted could change the lives of many and improve on protein and micronutrients malnutrition. All of the techologies that were learnt could easily be applied in the field but solar cookers and solar driers, fuel efficient stoves,urban gardening and water purification techniques were the ones in my opinion much needed by my people and those who have lost their fertile soil due to erosion and who probably are faced with deforestation and so lack of cooking wood. Most of the vegetables are seasonal and with no means of preservation, they loose more than half of it but with the solar driers, all or most of it could be made into concentrate and used as add on to their meals especially children who have just been weaned. It is amazing and I will  recommend it to everybody who has her community at heart. On my part, I will say thanks for the opportunity."

"It was such a blessing to be with these men and women for 14 days, share life and talks and coffee (lots of coffee) while learning some incredible life changing, community building skills!  I can't wait to use them..."

For more information on how to be involved in these or other courses through the Sparkman Center, please contact Heather Lee at hjlee@uab.edu or by phone at 205-975-7693.