Wicked Water Project
- Guatemala
- Nonprofit
Water instability in Guatemala presents a significant challenge to the local populace's well-being. The scarcity of water resources and lack of access to clean drinking water pose a considerable health risk to the population, affecting their overall quality of life. The problem is further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, which have led to irregular rainfall patterns and droughts, making it difficult for residents to meet their basic needs. This requires a multi-faceted approach that involves community engagement, improving water infrastructure, promoting sustainable water usage practices, and developing effective water management policies. Failure to take decisive action could have severe consequences for Guatemalans, with far-reaching implications for their health, livelihoods, and well-being.
Communal education is the cornerstone of our mission to create sustainable communities. We believe that by equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills, we can empower communities to manage their resources more efficiently and sustainably. Our workshops, training sessions, and grassroots campaigns are designed to educate residents on a range of important topics, including:
Advanced bioretention techniques.
Preservation of water sources.
Raising awareness about horticulture can contribute to preserving infrastructure, preventing environmental degradation, and reducing deforestation.
Technology and innovation to improve water smart landscape designs.
Waste management and its impact on the environment.
By working collaboratively with community members, we foster a sense of ownership and responsibility that leads to long-term benefits for the environment and society as a whole. Our goal is to create a sustainable future for everyone, and we believe that communal education is the key to success.
Our initiative is aimed at the establishment of partnerships with local engineers and reputable international organizations to equip local leaders with advanced bio-retention and management techniques. Our objective is to develop and implement sustainable solutions that optimize water usage, and horticultural awareness, minimize waste, and account for the unique environmental and socioeconomic factors at play in each region. Through this collaborative effort, we hope to nurture a culture of responsible water usage and management and drive meaningful change toward a more sustainable future.
- Adapt cities to more extreme weather, including through climate-smart buildings, incorporating climate risk in infrastructure planning, and restoring regional ecosystems.
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 4. Quality Education
- 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 10. Reduced Inequalities
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
- 13. Climate Action
- 14. Life Below Water
- 15. Life on Land
- 17. Partnerships for the Goals
- Concept
By actively engaging with community leaders, universities, and government offices, we have successfully conducted research that sheds light on the profound impact of climate change on underserved communities. This knowledge will undoubtedly contribute to the development of targeted strategies that address the unique challenges faced by underserved communities.
Our shared responsibility towards the environment and society is paramount. To create a sustainable future for everyone, we must work together and take ownership of our actions. Communal education and mentorship are essential in fostering a sense of accountability and promoting long-term benefits. We believe that by engaging the SOLVE community, we can achieve our goal of building a better tomorrow.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
- Legal or Regulatory Matters
- Monitoring & Evaluation (e.g. collecting/using data, measuring impact)
- Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
- Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
Collaborating with the global community can lead to an amazing exchange of a wealth of knowledge and skills, which I am well-equipped to enhance with my extensive background in live video production. We are excited to collaborate to create powerful and engaging content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
We are passionate about service work and community engagement, and we understand that involving the community is key to making a real impact. That's why we're thrilled to announce our plan to engage the community through exciting STEM activities and empower them to be part of the solution. We believe that proper waste disposal is critical to preventing drainage blockages. We can't wait to collaborate with the community to create innovative garbage receptacles and tackle this problem together.
Our impact goals are:
Providing comprehensive information regarding the impact of climate change, deforestation and waste management on the community.
Engaging the community through social interactions to provide them the opportunity to participate in community projects that will equip them with the necessary tools to implement bio retention techniques in their own households as well as garbage disposal methods to alleviate the drain blockage.
Promoting STEM education to the next generation for ingenuity.
We intend to measure our impact by:
The number of people from the neighborhood present at the meetings.
The number of times that the municipality is called to clear the drains.
Feedback provided by the members of the community.
Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. “ Brené Brown
Community engagement and connectivity through human interaction are our core technologies. Webcasts are planned for imparting knowledge.
- A new application of an existing technology
- Ancestral Technology & Practices
- Audiovisual Media
- Crowd Sourced Service / Social Networks
- Internet of Things
- Manufacturing Technology
- Robotics and Drones
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Guatemala
- United States
- Honduras
We are blessed with a an amazing team of volunteers. We intend to proceed with collaborating with international volunteers in Guatemala while engaging the MIT community for their brilliance.
2 office administrations
2 engineers
2 community engagement specialists
Our research has been underway since 2021 and has been thorough. We are now prepared to proceed to the next phase with hopes of assistance from the MIT mentorship.
Understanding that mothers play a key role in their households and community. We pride ourselves in female empowerment.
Our value proposition, at the heart of our business model canvas, is for underserved communities in Guatemala. The Wicked Water team fosters relationships with local engineers, universities, and local governments for the betterment of the local population's water supplies. We provide access to information regarding bio retention and reforestation techniques, as well as improved waste management methods.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
The Wicked Water Project business model will consist of a series of health conscious cafés, which will each offer a communal learning space in several regions across Guatemala. We intend to eventually offer similar health-conscious cafés in New England to assist with funding.