New packaging helps local ministry reach out to others in a more-efficient manner

In an effort to make its generator deliveries and setup in remote areas of the world more efficient, a Montoursville ministry has developed a new packaging concept.

International Technical Electric and Construction, more commonly known as I-TEC, has developed a containerized electrical room as a cost-effective way of delivering its product, which produces a reliable electrical source, to those in disaster areas or Third World countries.

The idea is building components here and placing them in a containerized room, requiring less onsite assembly. One such container now is on its way to Zambia.

"This is an idea that has been developed here in Montoursville with I-TEC. To my knowledge, there is no other missionary organization in the world doing this," said Tom Garber, president of the nondenominational mission.

Electricity on the project will power a large training center for villagers who never have had Internet access.

According to Garber, areas that do have an adequate electrical source may only operate four hours a day due to the voltage fluctuations. Many rural areas in these countries have no electricity. When they do, it cannot be counted on.

"The trouble is that most national power (in Zambia and elsewhere) fluctuates so much in voltages that you cannot operate good equipment," Garber said.

"If somebody in a bush environment wants to get education they go to the city. Most of the time they never come back to the village. They got an education and never go back to improve the environment of their village. The idea is to try to get them trained in the village so that they stay in the village.

According to Garber, the containerized electrical room also will power an AIDS clinic, malaria research center and Christian school, where all students will have computers. The goal is to develop rural Zambia so everyone will not flee to the city never to return.

"Right now, there is no electricity there at all. This (containerized electrical room) will be the sole power and then if (national) power ever does come, we have a switch at the end of the room that will tie into it," Garber said.

I-TEC does disaster relief as well, having assisted with Hurricane Katrina recovery, as well as at other disaster sites.

"We are a not for profit organization. We take donations and give receipts for them," Garber said.

According to Garber, the purpose is that people's lives are changed. "We need volunteers. We need people who have the time, the skills or the materials. There are so many ways people can be involved," Garber said.

Information on volunteering and donations to I-TEC may be found on the Web at www.itec.org.