A team of enthusiastic middle school students is working with WEEMA to help make safe, clean water more accessible to communities in Ethiopia. Students from the Warbotics Lego League team in Warroad, Minnesota are organizing a fundraiser that will support WEEMA’s water projects. The team, which competes in the FIRST Lego League engineering competition, is also designing a prototype of a new harness system to help people carry water to their homes.
Across much of Ethiopia and other developing countries, people transport water in large containers called jerry cans. These containers can weigh up to 40 pounds when filled, which makes water transportation difficult. Women and children carry the jerry cans by hand, on their heads, or on their backs using a rudimentary rope harness that can cut into the skin and cause injury. The Warbotics team is designing an improved harness system that distributes the jerry can’s weight using broad straps. Once the prototype is finished, the team is hoping to send their harness to Ethiopia for real-world use.
The Warbotics students are organizing a pancake breakfast on November 18th. If you can’t make it, but want to help support the team’s project, visit their team fundraising page here. You can also learn more about the Warbotics team here.
A mom and daughter carry 40 lb jerry cans on their backs with improvised rope harness.
