A Mighty Girl
When Cynthia Koenig, a young social entrepreneur from New York, learned that millions of girls and women around the world spend hours each day collecting water …from distant sources, she decided to create a new way to help people in poor communities transport water and it’s called the WaterWheel. Koenig’s WaterWheel allows people to roll water in a 50-liter container versus carrying it in 5 gallon (19 liter) jugs. Koenig estimates that the WaterWheel can save women 35 hours per week in water transport time, as well as prevent the physical strain that comes from balancing 40 pounds of water on top of their heads for hours each day.
Every day around the world, over 200 million hours are spent each day fetching water, often from water sources miles from home, and this task usually falls to women and girls. By freeing up valuable time, the WaterWheel allows women to spend time on income-generating activities that can help pull her family out of poverty. The time savings also means that there is a greater likelihood that girls will be allowed to stay in school, further reducing the rate of intergenerational poverty.
After receiving a $100,000 Grand Challenges Canada prize to develop the WaterWheel, Koenig founded a social enterprise company, Wello. The company is in an early stage of development and has been piloting the WaterWheel in rural communities in India. Koenig also plans on continuing to make the WaterWheel itself more useful by adding in filtration, drip irrigation kits, even a cell phone charger that uses the rotation of the wheel to charge the battery of the cell phone and give people more access to essentials like communication and education.
To learn more about this invention and its potential to transform the lives of many girls and women around the world, check out Koenig’s TED talk at http://bit.ly/1gBdpGt and you can read a recent article in The Guardian about her venture at http://bit.ly/1dMt7Mh.
To learn more about how to support her work, visit Wello’s website at http://wellowater.org/
For a wonderful book about more female innovators and inventors throughout history, check out “Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women” for readers 8 to 13 at https://www.amightygirl.com/girls-think-of-everything
Or, for younger readers age 4 to 9, we highly recommend the newly released fiction book “Rosie Revere, Engineer” about an budding young engineer at https://www.amightygirl.com/rosie-revere-engineer
To help children and teens better understand the challenges many children around the world face in order to go to school, check out our blog post, “Honoring Malala: Mighty Girl Books on Children’s Fight for Education,” showcasing our top books for young readers on children’s educational access issues at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11621
A Mighty Girl also has a section highlighting stories that feature poverty and hardship as a significant theme. Such stories provide opportunities for parents to discuss these topics with their children while also helping to foster children’s empathy for people living in difficult circumstances. Learn more at https://www.amightygirl.com/books/social-issues/poverty-hardship
And, if you’re looking for ways to encourage your children to become the next engineering and technology innovators, visit A Mighty Girl’s STEM toy section at https://www.amightygirl.com/toys/toys-games/science-math
I am posting this here to create more awareness for the beautiful works these people are doing. For more information go to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/
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Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to put themselves in the shoes of those that they can see are suffering and a little ingenuity.
Though the device seemed simple, it lessened the burden of the ladies having to fetch water from the watering hole far away. it is still difficult having to walk the great distance but the burden is halved and the results doubled.
Koenig is benefiting all these women instead of doing something to create more problems and benefiting herself. It’s very generous of her to put in the time and effort to create something to benefit others.
It’s very caring of her to even noticed and want to do something about it. Well, she has succeeded and has helped eased the burden, literally. She has made life that little bit better for the proud owners of the WaterWheel.
Wow! This is such a simple yet practical solution to this problem of getting drinking water. My mum used to tell me that when she was young, she need to spend hours everyday just to transport water for the family to use. This was a common problem in Malaysia decades ago, but unfortunately, it is still a common problem in India these days.
I think the reason why Cynthia come out with such a brilliant idea is her care for the people in India who had to spend hours everyday to collect water, and that deter the women from education and eventually get out of poverty. We need more people like Cynthia in this world to make it a better place for everyone.
I think she is a mighty girl, not just she helped the development of such a useful and energy saving tool, but the care and the compassion she had for others led her to come out with something that benefits the millions of women. Most of such women will be those in rural communities and not have wads of cash or resources to reay. This is truly a wonderful initiative.
As in the women who will benefit the most from such an initiative will not be able to reward or return back the investment, all the more makes this an altruistic initiative.
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for this wonderful story. I applaud Chyntia Koenig for using her sympathy in a positive way. I know for a fact that many entrepreneur are not really interested or have the motivation to help people in poor countries due to commercial feasibility. I am glad Ms. Koenig came up with the idea of water wheel and rejoice for her because she is receiving support for her idea.
Valentina
This is amazing! So inventive of this one girl!
I can already see how this Waterwheel will help so many people around the world. The whole idea of it just seems very practical and beneficial many societies. It is true that many many people are struggling and putting their bodies through stress just so that they can have a clean water supply. This waterwheel will surely help relieve the stress of these people.
Cynthia Koenig was absolutely brilliant in coming up with the idea of the Waterwheel. Her thoughts must have been with the people who were struggling with transporting water. So in that sense she must have been a very kind individual.
I hope that this project takes off and becomes very successful. Not only will it bring a well deserved income to Cynthia, but it will also benefit many people. I do not see how this invention can go wrong, and i also do not see how anyone would object the use of the Waterwheel. Thank you for sharing this article with us.
To make an impact in this world, to make a difference in people’s lives doesn’t take a genius, it is not rocket science. It originates from care, kindness, compassion. When we see sufferings, we can have many reactions – ignorance, guilt, anger, self pity or it can compel us to do something to end that suffering.
If we are not motivated by that, then be motivated by the success stories that stems from kindness. Be a Cynthia Koenig not because you care, be a Cynthia Koenig because it will also inevitably lead to fame and fortune in the worldly sense.
If we observe the world and and happenings around the world through the eyes of loving kindness, or wanting to end the sufferings we see, it may trigger many creative and innovative ideas to make the world a better place. Nothing will happen if there is no start. Start today, see the world through a different eye for a change.
You said it Pastor Moh Mei.
It is amazing what we can think of and do when we start to be part of the solution instead of the problem. When we decide to care.
When we are driven to help someone or change someone’s life, we will find a way no matter what. And the best part is, we will feel much fulfilled and happiness from this act; whether it is helping a dog, cat or another human being, we will feel a sense of happiness in giving, because it is our innate nature to care and be kind to another.
When we stop focusing on our selves even for one second and instead focusing out on another, that’s when we tap into our true humane nature. Usually animals tend to do this, bring this side of us out naturally which explains why Rinpoche likes to teach us to care for animals. Unless you dislike animals then there is Kechara Soup Kitchen. Bottom line is everything Rinpoche does in Kechara is to help us bring out and nurture that caring side of us so that we can be a “Cynthia Koenig” and think of ideas to help others.
And like you say even if the care has an ulterior motive (fame/fortune/8 worldly concerns etc.) it is still “care” and if by benefiting someone for the better it will benefit you in return, which it will naturally in a spiritual and humane sense, though some have other agendas, still, why not, so long no one gets hurt along the way and it is ethical.
Nice comment and wisdom. I like your quote “Nothing will happen if there is no start. Start today, see the world through a different eye for a change.” Thank you
And Thank you Rinpoche for such articles to open up our eyes, to encourage us to dream, to think positive, to being creative, innovative, to inspire, to be of benefit to others which we can also see in Rinpoche all the time! Never giving up on anything or anyone.
It is amazing how one person can actually make a huge difference when one chooses to focus out.
Thank you for sharing this, Rinpoche.
Cynthia Koenig所做的一切，无论是要符合慈善或是商业的需要，她的目的或动机只有一个，就是帮助他人解决生活上的问题：
1. 帮助落后与贫穷的地方
Cynthia Koenig了解大部分生活在贫穷国家的女性都需要利用很长的时间从远方挑担干净的水回家。因此，她决定想办法来帮助她们解决与缩短提水的时间，好让这些女性可以有更多的时间做其他事情如上学或是工作来帮补家庭。无形中，这也可以降低当地的贫穷率。
2. 设立Wello和网站
因为Cynthia Koenig的努力而让她得到了一笔资金在印度设立了一个利益社会的机构，Wello, 和网站。这样的策划，可以让更多人可以知道有这样的一个机构来帮助落后与贫穷的人民解决运输水供的问题。让每个不同国界的人都可以有机会捐款和参与此有意义的事情。
3. 制造更多就业机会
Cynthia Koenig的新创造，提水轮 (WaterWheel) ，是可以提供就业机会给予当地人民。商家们或许需要聘请更多人来制造和运输它的配件和完整的提水轮。
感谢仁波切的分享。让我们看到来自不同地方的人，因为本身有明确的动机、慈悲心与坚持来帮助其他人。
I am happy to read this article. Most of the people only think of creating/building convenient things that the commoner and the rich can enjoy, also to make profits from it. But how often do people actually think to donating money and make lives easier for the poor?
Because of how often we think about making money/profit from the society, we become attached to it and we forgot to help the people in need. Like the hoverboard, how many people actually need a hoverboard in their lives, many people bought them only to show off or brag about it. They could have used the money and invest in making things the WaterWheel, that will actually save a lots of time up for these women. Imagine with all these time spent, they could gone to work to feed their family. Hoverboard is only a want in our lives while waterwheels is need.
Cynthia Koenig is one of the good examples that we should follow. Because of her compassion and determination to make lives easier for these women, she has managed to save millions of women’s precious time. I am looking forward to hear more news upon this article. Hope this product will be successful and people would sponsor these products to many different countries of the world.
The waterwheel is an invention that is truly helpful to rural people who do not have easy access to water. Many Indian women and girls can save a lot of precious time as the waterwheel can carry more water and it is easier to use. The traditional method of carrying water on the head is outdated and often leads to serious physical health problems. Young girls who used to miss school can now attend school as the time for carrying water is much shorter. This is a good invention but it is far from ideal. The local government authorities must make it possible for rural people to have basic facilities like water in their homes.
Ms Cynthia is a hero! It’s very creative and kind of her to come up with something like this, this water wheel is very useful and I’m very sure that it going to save a lot of lives.
When we watch documentaries about India or countries like this, it is always the women who have to walk very far to collect water, I don’t remember seeing men who do this. With this wheel, their physical pain will be cut down because they will not have to balance the buckets on their head anymore, I can imagine the weight and what makes it even more painful is when they have to walk for hours to get back to home.
I think we should support causes like this because it is empowering and it really changes lives. I hope more people will pay attention to this cause and contribute in whichever way we can.
Dear Rinpoche,
From this article, i have learned that when we have a heart or mind or take care of people, be more mindful on people, we will do something to improved the person’s life quality.
Cynthia Koenig – She spent the last decade living and working on four continents, and has incubated and consulted on the launch of ventures of all shapes and sizes, ranging from community-run businesses in Latin America to a national strategy for sustainable tourism development in Bhutan.
She spent her time mostly to helps the people in needs instead in material gain.
Thank you Rinpoche for this story
With Love,
Freon
A great many thanks to our Rinpoche for this animating story that will certainly inspire and help to foster living beings, especially children and young people to become the next generation of “The engineering and Technology innovators” of similar inventions to benefit all beings, especially for those of the poor countries in the World. The Buddhist approach as taught, is to gradually extend the sense of belonging to all beings. All living beings should share the desire to avoid sufferings and experience well-being. Ultimately, when our sense of belonging extends to all living beings, we are intimately touched by their Joys and sufferings. As “Epicurus” has once said, “One must practice the things which produce happiness, since if that is present we have everything, and if it is absent we do everything to have it”. Who wants to suffer? We devote our time and energy to these tasks, hoping they will provide us and others with a sense of fulfillment and well-being. May every moment of our life and of the lives of others be one of wisdom, flourishing and inner peace. Om Mani Padme Hung.
Cynthia Koenig is truly brilliant for inventing such as practical way of transporting water. It’s simple to produce and serves the purpose. Many times we go off tangent thinking of extremely sophisticated ways to solve a problem, when in fact the solution is simple. When she solved the issue of Indian women having to spend a lot of time carrying water by reducing the time spent to a fraction, the women could spend more time earning money for their family.
I guess when we are passionate about something, we will continuously think of solutions to overcome any issue. In Cynthia’s case, her passion can potentially alleviate poverty by the millions. Attached is a pic of Cynthia Koenig.
Such a a inspiring lady she is , because of water wheel will millions of woman around the world will get help.. They realy need to spent almost whole day just bring water home very far away. Especially in India they suffer a lot. Because of her great compassion , it will help other people less suffer.. Thank you, Rinpoche for beautiful article..
看了上师分享的这篇文章，让我感触良多。在全世界除了印度，中国，还有许许多多不知名的小国偏远地方，的確是缺乏乾净的水源。而通常尋找水源及挑運这重担子都落在女人及小孩身上。結果为了尋找水源与運送，来回路途遥远就花去了一整天时间。加上贫困，所以都没机会受教育，就如此惡性偱环的一代接一代擺脱不了命運。
所幸还有..Cynthia koenig如此的好心人及企業家来协助她们。以此唤醒世人，要懂的感恩及珍惜水資源，我们有幸活在先进及资源丰富的国家，除了要珍惜现有的一切资源，也如上师所说，要学习去关心与付出。畢竟这个世界是大家共同擁有的。如人人都能安居乐业，世界肯定会和平。
Dear Rinpoche ,
Thank you for sharing this article. Cynthia’s effort, creativity and compassion are very inspiring. With the invention of water wheel it can help so many women in India. This can directly ease women burden from needing to carry heavy water daily and will allow children to go to school without needing to spend so much time on this. Mother can also spend more time doing other works for her family.
Her passion and motivation sets a good example for us to follow. I’m sure it is not easy to start up the company and inventing this product. But she and her team did a good job.
I hope more people can support such action and contribute back to the society.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this post with us. Cynthia Koenig is truly an inspiration to people around the world. Her compassion and sympathy towards those girls and women that are forced to fetch water from a far away place drives her to do something different to help those women. I’m sure that coming up with an idea like waterwheel and setting up a company like Wello is a daunting task.
Her is truly an amazing women that have qualities of two of the six paramitas. She have perseverance in her to be able to go all the way with her ideas and didn’t quit when hardships arises. She also have wisdom to be able to invent the waterwheel which is the solution for the problem.
Cynthia is one of those rare people who would do something and make a change. Many people now are too selfish or lazy to help and make a change in the lives of those unfortunate people. We should learn from her.
Dear Rinpoche,
This is fantastic. world have so many kind and innovative people left. I read especially about the remote places of India that the women travel miles just to fetch water and this brilliant idea can change their lives. So nice and inspiring dedication for those in needs.
It is truly inspiring to learn how simple devices or invention can help improve lives of many. Bringing convenience to the life of others is, to me, a key pillar in practicing compassion. Simplistically, it is mainly altruistically driven for someone to provide convenience to others, so that they suffer less. To me, I want to understand the hardship and difficulties that Cynthia Koenig went through, from getting the prize, to finding investors and manufacturer, up till making the item available in the under-developed areas. I believe each and every step of her journey is full of challenges. But with a pure and altruistic motivation and passion for her work, Cynthia Koenig rose above all else and succeeded in this project. This is a very good lesson for me. Perseverance, Passion and Good Motivation are the ingredients to outcome that will benefit many.
Thank You very much, Rinpoche, for sharing this inspiring story that nourish our mind and that gently nudge us towards doing greater things.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Thank you Rinpoche for this empowering story of an invention that is set to revolutionize and uplift the lives of countless women and girls and their families in poverty-stricken countries and regions,everywhere in the world.
Cynthia Koenig,uses her inventiveness and entrepreneurial skills to help millions of women and young girls, who spend hours daily collecting and carrying 19 liters of water(each) on their heads from distant sources.This device allows a water-carrier to roll water in 50 liter containers over a distance, in place of the 19 liters the women traditionally had been carrying on their heads. With this device, Koenig has basically reduced both the time and the excessive physical strain on these women.
The far -reaching implications of this newly-created device – the WaterWheel – include releasing valuable time from the 35 hours per week each woman spends on carrying the water to their destinations. This valuable time can then be directed towards income-generating activities that can pull the families out of poverty. Girls can remain longer hours in school to receive more meaningful education. Furthermore, men are now coming in to get these WaterWheels so that they can share with their women-folk the task of water=transport and free them for other income-generating activities. Beyond this, work is in progress to harness the energy from the rotation of the wheel to charge cell-phone batteries!Also there is the potential of irrigation and bringing water to animals, as well as water-purification, using this invention.
I laud Koenig for directing her skills toward easing the lives of millions of poor women and girls and their families, and to benefit them in so many different ways.The ripple effect of the benefits are just so amazing.
Dear Rinpoche,
A blog post of this girl speaks a thousand words. Putting aside personal needs and wants, she went on to create the needs for others. By creating that, she didn’t even need to find happiness. By giving, she herself found happiness in her. Focus out, that’s the key. Thanks Rinpoche for this blog post.