The end is a new beginning

The last couple of months we have dedicated at least 200 hours to creating a businessplan for the scholar competition Imagine. Through experimenting at the TU Delft, meeting with experts on water-purification fields and local experts, we have shaped 'Sari Solardarity'.

Water pollution is a major concern in Bangladesh, so we came up with the idea to purify water by using saris. Sari Solardarity wants to transfer knowledge about low-tech and point-of-use systems to help the people in Bangladesh.

This thursday, the 17th of april, it was a big day for us and our project. We were invited for the Grand Finale of Imagine Life Sciences in Naturalis, Leiden. 6 businessplans had been selected out of 31 businessplans, amongst which 'Sari Solardarity', to present their ideas on this day. We had practised our presentation at least 20 times, hence we were able to successfully and creatively communicate our ideas across. At the end of the day, the winner was announced: 'Sari Solardarity' received second place, as a runner up.

The judges thought our project was promising, and that with a few adaptations on the financial plan, 'Sari Solardarity' can become a great success. Afterwards we received many positive comments on our idea and presentation, and one of the judges, Lindy van Vliet, offered to help develop our project by means of her network. We gladly accepted this as our second-prize reward.

I am very proud of what our team of students, 17 and 18 years old, has put together in the last year. I have learned that anything is possible when you are dedicated, motivated and make the right contacts.

The fact that 'Sari Solardarity' was so close to winning only made us realize the potential of our project. In the next periods, we will be working hard to realize 'Sari Solardarity'. Our solution is simple, accessible, low-tech, indestructable and achievable. Sari Solardarity is ready for takeoff! 

HannahB