Community Laundry for Chile

Week by week, and drop to drop, twelve students from the Art Center College of Design are working towards social change. In partnership with Un Techo Para Mi Pais, the students develop new tools for using, storing, and transporting water to improve the quality of life of impoverished families living in campamentos/slums in Chile.  Last week we witnessed Jesse and Narbeh's develop a low-cost but real world potential warm shower for people living without running water or consistent electricity.  This week, join Stephanie and follow step by step how she designs a community laundry facility that aims to offer convenience and fill the emotional needs of people living in campamentos.  

Convenience and Emotional Needs

In week 3, we were transported to a day in the life of people living in campamentos in Chile. We learned how exhausting it is for locals to complete a single task like doing laundry.   Their work is doubled by the lack of running water as they use multiple containers to store and transport water in and out of the house.  We have also learned that they may even injure themselves in the process of doing laundry, washing dishes and/or showering. 

In addition to injuring themselves and having an inconvenient lifestyle, there is a strong absensce of personal motivation.  We learned in week 2 how the lack of basic needs is a constant threat to their mental health as they  may become easily depressed.  Besides running water, Stephanie has determined that the main basic needs that are lacking in campamentos, and that may be affecting locals' emotional states, are:  unemployment, limited education and limited spaces for interaction.  In order to fill the emotional needs of people living in campamentos, Stephanie has designed a community laundry as a feasible solution for social change.

As Stephanie mentions, a community laundry would "minimize the amount of time used on laundry, maximize people's resources, and at the same time, build stronger community relations." The shared laundry facility would save money, increase access to washers and dryers, save time, build relationships and encourage personal growth. The shared space also has the potential to become an important collaborative space for:

1. Washers & dryers: Ergonomic and front-loading machines, in close placement for ease of carrying and transferring
2. Tables: For folding, sewing, ironing and workspace; high level for proper posture
3. Storage: For detergent and other supplies
4. Seating & Workspace: Facilitates interaction, sharing and collaboration among community members
5. Community Boards: Displaying rules, maintenance information and postings for jobs, events and other community items
6. Computers & Internet: For education and networking

Next week, join KC and Jackie and follow step by step and drop to drop, how they innovate on the creation of a low-cost kitchen workstation for washing dishes indoors and facilitating the re-use of water. See you then!

If you want to learn more about Stephanie's community laundry innovation design, watch the following presentation.

We also invite you to watch Stephanie's testimony below, and we suggest you to start asking yourself how you can also make a change in your own community.  Remember... everyone can be a changemaker!