The straw that saved the world
Vestergaard Frandsen, a Swiss company, invented the
LifeStraw®, way back in 2005. This magical straw purifies
contaminated water into clean and safe for drinking water.
Since its introduction in 2005, LifeStraw® has been used in
major natural disasters including the Haiti earthquake and
Pakistan floods.
This is a vital utility tool for some of the 780 million people who don’t have access
to safe drinking water. It is capable of filtering 99,999% of the bacteria and parasites
that live in contaminated water and purifying it in safe drinking water. This 22.5
centimetre straw is basically a tube that is very practical and doesn’t require
electrical power, batteries or replacement parts! Vestergaard partnered with Right
to Play, a non-profit organization that uses Sports and Play to enhance child
development where needed, and in so doing donated 1,000 LifeStraw® filters to the
community of San Mateo in Peru. The children were taught healthy habits through a
series of Educational Games and Interactive Exercises.
The Lifestraw® utility tool is a means to overcome the problem of the lack of
drinkable water in developing countries, thus improving people’s quality of life and
in so doing, save lives.
It might look like a small gesture but it sure causes a big impact on the world!
Daniela Silva and Marina Vieira, 12.º A
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