I came across a fascinating invention earlier today. It is called the LifeStaw and it could potentially save thousands of people in developing countries such as Nicaragua. The device is remarkably simple, it’s a tube containing fine meshes, iodine pellets, and carbon which helps filter out impurities from the water including many parasites.

All a person or child needs to do is put the straw in their water and drink… the filtration occurs as the water goes up the tube.

Though this contraption sounds like it will solve all the problems in a 3rd world country with respects to water, it is at best as temporary solution. The three big problems I see are cost, tendency to be misplaced, and social norms. The first two concerns go without explanation, but the social norms is perhaps the biggest issue.

During our mission to Bluefields, we found it a challenge to educate the people about the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from damage. Their society simply doesn’t wear sunglasses the way other countries do. So expecting these same people who are accustomed to drinking well water to constantly use their LifeStraw will be a challenge.

I marvel at this invention not for its simplicity or elegance, but for its potential to help a lot of people around the world. For our next trip down to Bluefields, I will definitely investigate into acquiring some LifeStraws.

You can find out more about LifeStraws at the LifeStraw home page.

Technorati Tags: LifeStaw, Nicaragua, invention

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