The Barefoot College addresses basic human needs of the poorest of poor through a community-based strategy, training semi-literate women and men who make less than $1 per day as Barefoot professionals. These professional work with their communities to:

• Build and maintain rainwater harvesting systems for clean drinking water, and solar power systems for lighting and cooking
• Provide preventative health services to tackle malaria, tuberculosis, AIDs and water-borne diseases
• Construct geodesic domes for housing, night schools and community centers
• Create opportunities for employment by marketing of artisan-made products
• Empower women by training them to become barefoot solar and water engineers
• Protect the environment by reducing the need for fossil fuels, conserving rainwater and reclaiming wasteland