Knightsbridge

In 1993, Sir Edward Artis and Dr. James Laws, formed Knightsbridge International and began a series of missions to bring relief to the worst war-affected zones on the planet, beginning in Russia, and soon after in Rwanda and Afghanistan. Describing their only two rules as "High adventure and service to humanity", they just finished installing two Village Sun Ovens and have also worked in Cambodia, The Philippines, Nicaragua, The Kyrgyz Republic, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, Cuba, and Yemen.

Mr. Artis once snuck illicitly into Russia to deliver medicine to Chechens displaced by war and loosened three teeth diving out a window to escape a soldier during the Rwandan genocide. Taliban officials placed a US$50,000 bounty on his head after his last visit here in 1998. Described as "one of the scariest good guys you're ever going to meet", journalists describe his approach as combining "combat skills, a tough-as-spit demeanor and rapport with various rebel leaders". He himself says, "I'm a warrior, but I'm waging peace." and continues, "I'm proud of what we do. We have been beat up like a pinata at a Puerto Rican wedding. I don't care. But we are going to get our food in to these people."

The government of Cambodia honored Sir Edward Artis as a Goodwill Ambassador of Peace and Roland Eng (the Cambodian ambassador to the USA) said, "the Cambodian people will never forget what Sir Artis has done during the difficult time of their life , they are so grateful for what he continues to do to alleviate their condition. Please allow me to ... convey my deepest appreciation and admiration."

According to an article by Ron Wright, "He crosses hostile borders to practice a brand of chivalry seldom seen in modern times. His mission: to combat evil and aid the world's most helpless - the children ravaged by war, disease and famine. He provides food to the famished, medicine to the sick and rescue to the imperiled. He is a modern-day knight. His valiant steed is an airplane or truck, his armor a bulletproof vest and his sword a cellular telephone. The hospital, the orphanage and the refugee camp are his field of battle."

The Sustainable Village is working with Knightsbridge on solar water pumping systems in Afghanistan and looking into possible joint projects in the Philippines and Vietnam. For more information, see Knightsbridge, and Recent Work.