Women and the Environment

Geraldine Reardon

The majority of women in the South have a close and complex relationship to their surroundings. They are profoundly affected by environmental degradation, as they depend directly on natural resources for their livlihoods. Their need for access to these resources often goes unrecognised, as does thei...

Made in Africa

Janet Leek, Andrew Scott, Matthew Taylor

This book examines the pros and cons of the local production of carpentry hand-tools as opposed to their importation. In seeking the best strategy to adopt it also outlines the previous methods adopted by VSO and Intermediate Technology who have much experience in this area. Published in the VSO ECO...

Small-scale Papermaking

A technical handbook to assist small-scale producers with alternative production techniques - to help them choose and apply those techniques which are most appropriate to local socio-economic conditions.

Challenging the Professions

Robert Chambers

Challenging the Professions questions the dominant approaches of professions, disciplines and bureaucracies concerned with rural development. The theme is that 'we', who call ourselves professionals, are much of the problem, and to do better requires reversals of much that we regard as normal. The c...

Basic Blacksmithing

David Harries, Bernhard Heer

Starting with only an anvil and a few basic tools, almost all the tools needed by a blacksmith can be made from commonly found materials. With clear instructions this book gives step by step instructions on basic blacksmithing.

The Blacksmithing Instructors Guide

David Harries

This guide is designed to help skilled blacksmiths who have little or no teaching experience to train others in forge work techniques, using easily obtainable equipment and scrap metal to produce tools such as hoes, sickles, hammers and axes.

Carpentry Toolmaking

Aaron Moore

This guide for carpentry instructors includes detailed plans for practical demonstrations, and important theoretical aspects of the craft. The tools include planes, clamps, workbench and vice. There is also a section on basic blacksmithing techniques.

Fabric Manufacture

Alan Newton

Aimed at small, rural communities this book offers an introduction to simple methods of making textile fabrics which are used throughout the world. Includes sections on weaving, knitting, fibre entanglement, lace-making, braiding and knotting (Published in the Small-scale Textiles series).

Developing and Managing Community Water Supplies

Jan Davis, Gerry Garvey, Michael Wood

Based on direct field experience and using short case studies, this book discusses the issues and stages in the development of water supplies, from the initiation of a programme through to the community management of a supply system. The importance of involving all the members of a community in deci...

Disability, Liberation and Development

Peter Coleridge

Disabled people are marginalized in every country of the world both North and South. By probing these prejudices and studying cases where they have been overcome this book provides an insight into the processes of liberation and empowerment.