The Hippo is an innovative water transport tool designed to alleviate problems associated with the
lack of access to water. By allowing water to be placed inside its "wheel," people can collect 24
gallons at a time, five times the amount possible using traditional methods. The Hippo transforms
200 pounds of water into just 22 pounds allowing water to be transported in much less time and much
more easily. While for most of us, clean water comes with the twist of a faucet. But for 1 in 6
people, access to water requires hard work: hours of walking, waiting in line, and heavy lifting. By
giving people easier access to water, the Hippo removes the barriers that prevent girls from going
to school, and empowers women to engage in activities that boost family income. Families are able to
grow vegetables, maintain better health, and avoid disease because they have access to sufficient
amounts of water.
Hippo is addressing the root causes that are trapping families and entire communities in poverty.
Research shows that when women have extra time, they choose to spend it on activities that boost
family income and well-being. In addition, women with even a few years of basic education have been
shown to have smaller, healthier families, are more likely to be able to work their way out of
poverty, and are more likely to send their own children to school. Female education is accepted as
an effective strategy to break the cycle of poverty.
As the Founder of Hippo Water International (HWI), I’m passionate about finding sustainable
solutions to the global water crisis and helping families break free from the cycle of poverty. HWI
is a volunteer-run, 501c3 nonprofit organization that aims to improve global access to water, and
creates positive, lasting social change by reducing the physical and time burdens of water
collection.
HWI is scaling up, and we are already in the process of locating partners to assist with
distribution in India. This trip would give my organization valuable insights into launching a
successful social enterprise in India. I am excited about the opportunity to share my current
challenges and best practices, and learn from leading thinkers and practitioners in the field. I’m
passionate about finding new and innovative ways of applying business strategies to alleviate
poverty, and would be thrilled to join India Social Entrepreneurship Journey.
Please vote for Hippo Water International and help us bring Hippos to India!
Click here to see a Hippo in action: www.hippowater.org/multimedia.php
This is such a fantastic, practical idea. Having spent my childhood in India, I can instantly see the applicability for this product. Cynthia has my highest endorsement - please send her on this trip. As a colleague, I can tell you firsthand that she has the skills and determination to make the most of this opportunity.
Ever since I first heard about Hippo Rollers I have been an avid fan. I think the way in which the Hippo Rollers helps marginalised women is particularly important. Other commenters have summed up Cynthia's skills more neatly than I could, but I definately agree with them that she (along with the Hippo Roller!) would be a fantastic choice for the India Social Entrepreneurship Journey Contest.
Cynthia is my coworker and from what I know, she would make a great leader for this assessment trip. She is an intelligent, action-oriented individual, who has passion to work for improvement of socio-economic conditions in India.
I admire her work and look forward to learning innovative ideas from her.
I share Cynthia’s passion about the Hippo Roller and how a simple, practical water transport device could impact millions of peoples’ lives around the world.
The India Social Entrepreneurship Journey is the perfect catalyst for the Hippo Roller Project providing networking opportunities with respected leaders in India and areound the world.
Involved in international business, I’ve traveled to over 50 countries. In Africa I learned how a simple water transport device could help so many people and I was amazed. Global distribution of the Hippo Roller will provide an essential role to the challenge of distributing water to nearly a billion people in desperate need of clean drinking water, resulting in a child dying every 15 seconds.
Cynthia has the character, compassion, and social entrepreneurial gifts to help change the world-but she needs your help. Please give her that opportunity.
I have know Cynthia Koenig for 13 years as a colleague and friend.
I believe Cynthia deserves an invitation to the India Social Entrepreneurship Journey because she is a true leader. She's passionate and committed, yes, but those are easy qualities to come by. More importantly, Cynthia is brave and does what it takes to move projects forward. We need more leaders like this in the nonprofit world.
I have no doubt that she will help bring these water containers to the people who need them most. And she'll do it quickly and efficiently, because she knows how to identify and work with the social, political, financial barriers that stand in the way of good projects. By awarding her an invitation to your trip to India, you will help her take a giant leap towards helping communities in India get access to clean water.
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