What is a Hippo Roller? It's a simple, yet great idea to help those in developing countries who must carry safe water to their homes. The Hippo Roller is basically a plastic barrel with a handle. The barrel can be filled with clean water, then rolled back to the village or home. The barrel, or "roller" can hold as much as 5 times the amount that can be carried using traditional methods, and since it is rolled along the ground instead of being carried, can reduce the risk of long term injuries. As of this writing, 26 rollers have been funded, over halfway to the goal of 50 by April.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Water Transportation Solutions
- There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating more efficient and sustainable methods of transporting water in developing countries.
- Sustainable Technologies for Developing Countries
- Developing and implementing sustainable technologies can greatly improve the quality of life for communities in need.
- Social Impact Fundraising
- Innovative approaches to fundraising, such as sponsoring specific projects like the Hippo Roller, can create a direct and measurable social impact.
Where This Applies
- Water and Sanitation Solutions
- Companies and organizations in the water and sanitation industry can explore disruptive innovations to provide more accessible and efficient water solutions.
- Renewable Energy
- The renewable energy industry has the potential to develop technologies that power sustainable water transportation solutions in developing countries.
- Non-profit and Social Impact
- Non-profit organizations and social impact initiatives can leverage innovative fundraising approaches to create positive change and support community development projects.
