The Washing Machine Project interviewed on BBC Points West

Summary

A student from the University of Bath has designed a manual drive washing machine to aid families in refugee camps, inspired by his experience in South India and the challenges he saw in a nearby village. The device, aimed at humanitarian use, differs from standard non-electric washing machines by incorporating feedback from refugees to create a more effective, lightweight, and large-capacity solution for large families. The project is also personally meaningful to the creator, as his father was a refugee during the Partition of India, which has driven his desire to support displaced communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 A student at the University of Bath has developed a manual drive washing machine designed to help families in refugee camps.
• 😀 The idea was inspired by the struggles of families, particularly in South India, where people hand wash clothes due to lack of resources.
• 😀 The engineer's background and sabbatical in South India led him to witness firsthand the challenges faced by a village neighbor, Divya, who spent hours hand washing clothes.
• 😀 The project is aimed at helping families living on the margins, especially those in refugee camps in northern Iraq.
• 😀 The washing machine is unique because it focuses on humanitarian needs, addressing the lack of electric-powered machines in these environments.
• 😀 The engineer and his team took a data-centered approach, collecting feedback directly from refugees to create a practical solution for their needs.
• 😀 Families in refugee camps often have large households, with an average family size of 9, and many young children, meaning a high demand for washing clothes.
• 😀 The washing machine features a large drum capacity to accommodate the needs of large families in refugee camps.
• 😀 The project has a personal connection for the engineer, whose father and family became refugees during the partition of India over 70 years ago.
• 😀 The engineer's goal is to provide a solution that is practical, lightweight, and specifically designed to work in challenging environments like refugee camps.
• 😀 The washing machine project will be shipped to northern Iraq by the end of February, with a team of about 50 people involved in its deployment.

Q & A

What inspired Sawney to create the manual drive washing machine?

Sawney was inspired by his time in South India, where he saw his neighbor, Divya, struggling with back-breaking work washing clothes by hand. Her daily complaints about the difficulty of handwashing clothes motivated him to develop a solution.

What is unique about the manual washing machine that Sawney created?

While non-electric manual washing machines exist, Sawney's design is unique because it is specifically developed for humanitarian and development contexts, addressing the needs of people in refugee camps who face extreme challenges in daily life.

Why is the manual washing machine particularly suitable for refugee camps in northern Iraq?

The washing machine is tailored to the needs of refugee camps, such as large families with a high proportion of young children. It has a large drum capacity to handle the laundry needs of a family of nine, and it was designed with feedback from refugees themselves.

How did Sawney gather feedback to develop the washing machine?

Sawney and his team visited refugee camps and worked closely with refugees to understand their needs. They focused on what families wanted in a washing machine, including features like a large drum capacity to accommodate bigger loads of laundry.

How does Sawney's washing machine differ from other manual machines available?

Sawney’s washing machine is specifically designed for challenging environments, such as refugee camps, where people live in difficult conditions. It’s lightweight, durable, and has a larger capacity suited for larger families in these environments.

What role did Sawney’s background in engineering play in the development of the washing machine?

Sawney's background in engineering allowed him to apply practical, data-centered problem-solving methods to create a washing machine that met the specific needs of refugees. His technical skills helped in developing a functional, sustainable solution.

How did Sawney’s father’s refugee experience influence the project?

Sawney’s father fled during the partition of India, which made him empathetic to the struggles of refugees. His father's experience of becoming a refugee overnight deeply influenced Sawney's desire to help others in similar situations.

What is the significance of the family size in refugee camps for the washing machine design?

In refugee camps, the average family size is large, often around nine members, with many children under the age of five. This large family size required the washing machine to have a larger drum capacity to handle the volume of laundry.

How will the washing machines be distributed in northern Iraq?

The washing machines are being shipped to northern Iraq, with a group of about 50 machines being sent by the end of February to help families in refugee camps.

Why does Sawney believe that helping refugees is a temporary but important role?

Sawney views refugee status as a temporary phase in a person’s life, and he believes that by providing practical solutions like the manual washing machine, he can help refugees during this difficult period, supporting them on their journey to stability.