The salad spinner that inspired an engineer to design a
hand-cranked washing machine for refugee camps – where there’s no running
water, or electricity …
Navjot Sawhney, an engineer who had worked with a number of
blue chip companies learning his ‘trade’ and expertise … before quitting to
work as a volunteer in India as a member of Engineers without Borders UK.
Navjot Sawhney - the entrepreneur designer
'Divya' washing machines
While in India a neighbour was struggling with her daily washing needs … doing everything by hand … Navjot promised her a machine …
Along the way – offers of help came from a Bristol design
and fabrication firm, Huxlo … Matthew Mews said the company wanted to help make
life easier for those living in poverty.
Matthew Mews of Huxlo
The University of Bath, where Mr Sawhney studied, also
helped turn the designs into reality … university technician, Owen Rutter, was
able to check various details and suggest minor adjustments …
Owen Rutter from the University of Bath
The charity for Engineers Without
Borders working to ease others' lives
Salad Spinner
We are the World Blogfest
In Darkness, be Light
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
42 comments:
What a brilliant idea. I am a long time supporter of Doctors without Borders but had not previously heard of Engineers without Borders. Thank you. And thank you for the links.
Thanks EC - I was bowled over when I saw this entrepreneurial idea which will achieve a great deal for people who need all the help they can get.
Yes - I enjoy putting up the links ... some commenters, you and others, obviously enjoy being able to look at the links ...
Great to see you - cheers and thanks for your support - Hilary
That is a great idea.
Hari OM
Still a lot of physical effort is required, but it will surely feel like a luxury for all those women and girls in off-grid and restricted places. Well done that young man! YAM xx
@ Liz ... thanks - his invention will be a huge boon in refugee camps ...
@ Yam - yes a lot of physical effort, but it's a start - perhaps a solar-powered one will come next. I think it's a brilliant idea ... and was so pleased to learn about Engineers Without Borders ... cheers Hilary
Kudos to the others and the Engineers without Borders who helped Mr Navjot Sawhney make his dream a reality - so many people who make a difference to lives less fortunate. Thanks Hilary, a great post for #WATWB! Best, Susan
It's a great story, Hilary, and one that needs to be told time and again. There is good in the world, and when faced with a constant stream of COVID deaths, suicide bombings, refugees being despicably mistreated, corrupt and inept politicians, environmental degradation, species extinction, rainforest destruction, wildfires, storms, catastrophic floods, mass shootings......and on and on, we need this counterbalance to stop us all going off the deep end. Thanks for bringing us the unusual, as usual!
Except for sheets and towels, I wash shirts, stockings, knickers etc by hand in the shower. It doesn't need electricity, but it uses a truck load of water.
I would be very impressed if the designers can create a hand-cranked washing machine for places where there’s no running water or electricity. All the credit to them.
I am quite curious how this works without water! Kudos to this wonderful man and his creative mind.
OMGosh. Who'd a thought? The man is a saint.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Hils.
Cheers,
@ Susan - I so agree ... we need so many things made easier for those without some of the major basics in life. Engineers Without Borders will be a huge boon in grasping what's needed to help the underpriveleged ...
@ David - thank you ... I thought so too and appreciate your nod of support. There is good in this world isn't there - and #WATWB is a great way to tell some of the stories.
Life is awful for so many ... all the things you mention ... and yes that counterbalance is needed - I'm glad Navjot's invention fits the bill for a #WATWB post ...
@ Hels - good for you ... I'm afraid mine go into the machine (not stockings) ... but these will definitely help ... I expect further simple improvements will come along ... and as you say 'all credit to these engineers' ...
@ Jacqui - oh I laughed and emailed you ... thank goodness I did just check that I'd put in 'no running water' - so they'd have to get water to the machine. But thanks - kudos to Navjot and all helpers getting this machine ready for use in refugee camps.
@ Sandra - that's what I thought ... once the distribution is full on - there'll be so many happy women and girls ... glad you enjoyed it.
Lovely to see you all ... and to appreciate Engineers Without Borders, especially in this case Mavjot Sawhney ... cheers Hilary
So many clever people who do wish to use their brain and skills to help others. You find such interesting souls who do light up the world. Very nice to read and ponder.
Ingenius and simple--something that will ease so many people's daily lives. I hadn't heard of Engineers without Boarders before now. What rock have I been living under? Thanks for educating me Hilary.
Bloody great idea
It's amazing how these wonderful inventions, so simple, so effective, come about.
That's wonderful, Hilarious! Engineers without Borders- fabulous idea!
It's oftenthe simplest low-tech ideas that are the best.
Absolutely brilliant! Why not a salad spinner? Wonderful share for the WATWB Hilary. Hugs xx
@ Joanne – thanks … it was an informative find … I’m always amazed how caring some people are …
@ Lee – yes as you say … ingenious and simple – well Lee: nor had I heard of Engineers without Borders – so I was also under the rock with you! It’ll help across the world …
@ Inger – thank you… I really enjoyed finding out about this … I love the learning too …
@ Mike – isn’t it wonderful – even with my name! Thank you … so interesting to find out more about Engineers without Borders.
@ Ian – I so agree … the simplest – where there’s little to go wrong …
@ Debby – exactly … why not a salad spinner! A fun thought … but one that’s so true leading to creativity …
Thanks everyone for visiting and for enjoying this engineer working with Engineers without Borders – his invention will improve so many lives. All the best to you all … Hilary
How wonderful to have the expertise to help in such an impactful way. Well done to Navjot Sawhney and everyone who helped him along the way.
I really love this.
I actually don't have a washer or drier. I wash by hand and then hang up everything outside to dry. But this would be a neat gadget to use.
What a wonderful idea! I'm sure more such inventions will soon arise as word gets out!
Great post! Such a simple yet brilliant idea that will no doubt help so many. Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB! Hope you are having a lovely week! :)
@ Annalisa - yes ... it's fascinating to read about his journey - which can be found in the links ... how he developed himself in the process of helping others, as too communicating with similar experts - to produce this essential product.
@ Chrys - thank you ... I loved finding out more about him and Engineers without Borders.
Fascinating to read you don't have a washer or drier - I used to have a spin-drier, before I could afford a washing machine ... and didn't have an out door space for drying my washing.
@ Yolanda - thank you... I'm sure Engineers without Borders are already stretching their brains ... and there will, as you say, be more inventions in the near future.
@ Belinda - yes ... I thought great #WATWB for this wonderful blogfest - you and Damyanti run ...
Thanks so much to you all - #WATWB is a fabulous bloghop ... cheers Hilary
I am just so in awe of this. He used his abilities for good;)
Cheers,
I love when creativity, intelligence, generosity of spirit and desire to help others combine together. This post is a fabulous example of just that! Thank you for sharing this.
How brilliant is that?! Inspirational all round. Thanks for sharing this, Hilary. But then, your posts are always informative and educational and I learn something new every time I visit. Hope your week is going well.
This is a wonderful idea. Just as wonderful is when people invent things to help others.
Teresa
Wow, what a great invention! it makes me think of the miticool fridge, a fridge that doesn't require electricity -- also invented in India!
Very cool! What a great thing to have for anyone who is without power.
@ Sandra – yes he’s obviously got a very good heart, as well as an engineering and business brain which he’s using very well …
@ Donna – perfect comment for Navjot’s abilities … and his humanitarian entrepreneurism … thank you …
@ Nila – thanks so much … I just loved his approach and how he was able to design this necessary machine; also I’m always grateful when commenters appreciate the post …
@ Teresa – great to see you … and yes people helping others with clever inventions to facilitate their difficult lives is so worthwhile …
@ Deniz – yes I thought ‘wow’ too … how interesting to read about the Mitti Cool fridge – here’s an Indian link https://nif.org.in/innovation/mitti-cool-refrigerator/751 … it seems to work using water in a clay receptacle – but it doesn’t need electricity … the product and functioning details are detailed in the link.
@ Bish – isn’t it ‘cool’ … and anything that can be utilised for those without power must be so beneficial.
Delighted to see you all and to note you’re interested in these #WATWB posts … I just love finding out about them. Cheers - Hilary
Hope you have a pleasant, productive day, Hils.
Cheers,
Ha! It's funny where great ideas come from. I love this story!
This is amazing! Such a marvelous idea. Hope you have a lovely week, Hilary.
Always glad to visit for a dose of positivity! Another wonderful post, Hilary. What a brilliant idea! And to think this was created - and presented charitably. The world can always use more generous souls ;-)
What a wonderful idea and inspiration! I must say I could do with one of those for my boat as well. Brilliant!
@ Sandra – thanks so much … usually things happening …
@ Lynda – glad you laughed, or gently giggled … I so agree with you – it’s a wonderful story …
@ Christine – great to see you and yes a marvellous idea …
@ Diedre – thank you … I’m happy about your dose of positivity. Yes – I was very happy to read about the charitable aspect … and helping others in refugee camps – we do have generous souls, as too creative minds …
@ Val – well that’s a thought for your boat … I’m sure they’ll become available …
Thanks so much to you all for visiting … some interesting thoughts here – take care and have happy weekends - Hilary
Such an excellent and timely invention! I hope all will go well with the distribution.
Hi Debbie - thanks ... it's such a brilliant idea and will help so many - cheers Hilary
what an amazing and fantastic idea!!
thank you for sharing this wonderful, positive and ingenuitive story!
I need to come visit more often for a good pick-me-up
and thanks for your sweet encouragement at my blog
Tara Tyler Talks
Hi Hilary,
AMAZING... what a wonderful and humanitarian thing to invent... God bless all who are involved to help these poor people with so little. Thanks for sharing their story, Hilary!
@ Tara - yes people are absolutely amazing when it comes to inventions ... I so love reading about them. Thanks - I enjoy offering positivity to everyone - easier to do I find! Great - delighted you enjoy my visits to your blog ...
@ Michael - so pleased you understood this amazing invention, let alone Engineers without Borders helping so many in the world with engineering initatives ... helping many.
Thanks to you both for visiting ... have peaceful, happy Autumns - Hilary
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