Project+Proposal

a) Proposal and Ideation

**Living Conditions in Thailand:**  Our country of focus for this assignment is the developing country of Thailand. It is also the country with the 20th largest population in the world. Thailand is known for its agriculture industry which produces products such as rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans. In 2005, 42.6% of the population worked in the agriculture industry. Thailand is a humid country with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The local climate is tropical, and is characterized by seasonal monsoons. There is a warm, rainy, and cloudy monsoon from mid-May to September. Additionally there is a dry, cool monsoon season from November to mid-March. Due to the lack of rain for much of the year, and the fact that many people live below the poverty line, as well as the fact that these people do not have access to purification systems, waterborne diseases such as bacterial diarrhea and the water contact disease leptospirosis are the most common diseases.

 **Our Product: Purebella**  We decided to create a design which would aid in several problem areas of the underdeveloped parts of Thailand. The Purebrella acts as a water purifier as well as a shield from the sun and a water collector. The user will wear a hat that has an umbrella-like shape around their head. This way, their hands are free to work in the fields. Secondly, the umbrella contains a sort of "eaves-trough" around the perimeter of the umbrella hat to collect the water running off the top of the umbrella. The water will then drain down a tube so that it can be stored in a backpack. The water storage backpack will also act as a purification system. As the water enters the storage unit, it will be purified, so that the water is safe to drink. This is to carry the weight not on the head of the person, but on their backs instead. Because these people work long days in the sun, in the agriculture field, the umbrella also acts as a shield from the hot sun.

 **Sustainability:**  In terms of sustainability, once the product reaches the citizens of Thailand, they will not need to buy anything else to upkeep the 'purebrella'. The hat will last roughly 2-3 years. This means 2-3 years of clean drinking water, and a much lower chance of dying from dehydration. Also, this means a much lower chance of getting one of many waterborne diseases. Specifically, leptospirosis is the most widespread waterborne disease in Thailand. With purebella, citizens will be able to collect and drink pure drinking water that will decrease their chance of catching this and other diseases.

 The great thing about Purebella is that citizens will be able to mutlitask. They will be able to work out in the fields all day, while collecting water simultaneously. They would be able to drink more water throughout the day, and increase their energy levels (and therefore increase productivity). Also, citizens will not need to walk long distances to watering holes to get water, meaning that they will have more time to work, cook, or perhaps get more time to spend with their families.

 **Sources**  The World Factbook- Central Intelligence Agency  []