Chile

COOPEUMO, a grassroots farmer’s cooperative with more than 350 small scale farmers as members provides a number of services to farmers such as technical assistance, credit and training.  Last year COOPEUMO started a pilot project called DatAgro to provide SMS based information to farmers. The service started in April, 2009 has been supported by DataDyne, Federation of Agrarian Innovation, UNESCO, Entel PCS and two Chilean newspapers- El Mostrador and El Mercurio.

By providing information related to supply and product prices, climate conditions, and international markets; the initiative allows small scale farmers to align with the market needs. Thanks to the proliferation of mobile phones, farmers today have access to such information. ‘Last week I received one (message) about the weather so I didn’t plant anything because of the information I received and I planted yesterday, after the rain had stopped’ says Hugo Tobar, a farmer. Ninety percent of adults in rural areas of Chile have mobile phones. Farmers today consider mobile phones as a necessity and not a luxury.

We have come to the last episode of SAFE AGUA CHILE, a project in partnership with Un Techo Para Mi Pais, led by 12 students from the Art Center College of Design. The students traveled to Santiago, Chile and spent 12 days among the poorest families living in slums/campamentos.  Week by week we have witnessed how the students develop new tools for using, storing, and transporting water to improve the quality of life of impoverished families.  Today, we want to give thanks to those who have been following us since our first episode, as well as to those of you who are just in time to follow step by step and drop to drop the exciting journey of a life changing project.

Week by week, and drop by 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. In week 8 we joinned KC and Jackie and witnessed how they innovated on the creation of a low-cost kitchen workstation for washing dishes indoors and facilitating the re-use of water.  This week, join Ramon and Will and follow step by step how they innovate a strategy for sharing and inspiring social innovation by people in the campamentos.

Week by week, and drop by 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 joined Stephanie and witnessed how she designed a community  laundry facility that aimed to offer convenience and fill the emotional needs of people living in campamentos.   This week, join KC and Jackie and follow step by step how they innovate on the creation of a low-cost kitchen workstation for washing dishes indoors and facilitating the re-use of water.

Convenience and Awareness

“I don’t like to do the dishes in front of the house because I don’t want people to see me.” –Maria.

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.  

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 how Nubia, Stella and Diane created a low-cost pressurized water system, adding convenience and safety to the families' daily tasks. This week, join Jesse and Narbeh and follow step by step how they develop a low-cost but real world potential warm shower for people living without running water or consistent electricity.

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, Chile. Last week, we witnessed how Erica and Elizabeth created health and sanitation solutions, in order to make the families' dream of having Potable Drinking Water a reality.   This week, join Nubia, Stella and Diane and follow step by step how they find ways to create a low-cost Pressurized Water System for  the families in campamentos.