The day after...

It's over. At least, the competition, that is. Because just like HannahB said, "the end is a new beginning" and we are certainly going to investigate what the options are for realising Sari Solardarity.

I have to say, yesterday was pretty amazing. I loved the entire atmosphere. It was so special to present our idea and it made me realise how far we had already gotten. Also the love and support we received from so many people around us and within the group, made me feel so strong and blessed. I think we can all say we have pretty loving parents, don't we girls? :)

And you cannot always win the top prize. And even though I'd lie if I said it didn't still hurt a little, because I would have loved loved loved to travel together with these four girls to a developing country and we were pretty damn close, I can say I'm super content with the outcome.  We could talk for hours about whether we should have won or not, but, one way or the other, it won't change the achievement we have made. A huge one.

HannahH

Sari Solardarity

The Videomatic created a short introductory movie about 'Sari Solardarity', for the finale of competition Imagine Life Sciences. 

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

Let's save the world

June 2013. The competition organized by Imagine Life Sciences started. It was the beginning of a year full of scientific and social research.

Imagine gives high school students the opportunity to participate in a project which combines education, development aid and sciences.

Combining science with solving a concrete problem in a developing country was exciting, as it has taught us how to conduct research on a higher level. Doing research at the TU Delft’s water laboratory formed the base of our research, and allowed us, with the help of David de Ridder and Kees van der Velden, to create the most efficient system possible.

While working on this project we had one goal in mind, a goal that made us cross boundaries in multiple ways.

We are five students who accepted this challenge, for us and the world!
Hopefully you will be inspired by our work.

Love,
Claire, Florette, Hannah, Hannah and Ibtissam