Cornell University students have partnered with non-profit WAVES for Development to found a dynamic relationship between the students of Ithaca, NY and the town of Lobitos, Peru. The 2013 student project focuses on designing solar panels to be installed on the new WAVES Surf Center, as well as designing in home water filtration systems for the town of 1,000 residents.

Stefano, a typical fisherman in Lobitos, Peru makes $15 per day. Just enough to feed his family and pay his bills. If Stefano gets sick from drinking contaminated water and misses 20 days of work per year it has a huge impact on his family.

We believe we can assist fishermen like Stefano improve their economic and overall well being by creating an affordable water purification system for his home.

The water sub team of Cornell University comprised of engineers of all backgrounds will be designing simple, affordable systems for Stefano and the other 1000 residents of Lobitos.

Systems will not be given away. We will educate the locals in Lobitos on the benefits of clean water and the connection between dirty water and health helping them understand the value of a water purifier. Then, they can either purchase the system outright or finance the system through WAVES Microfinance program. Part of our groups activity in Lobitos will be to assist in the install of these systems.

Please help us help people like Stefano by donating to our trip. Thanks so much!