WÜIN by Laura Roca

INTRO/ WĂœIN

For those who are able to see the other side of the coin.

INTRO/ WĂœIN INTRO

This story begins in 2011 after living in Europe for four years before returning to my Latin roots in Colombia. More precisely, the north side of Colombia, in one of its 32 departments: La Guajira.

Bordering the north and west with the Caribbean Sea, to the east with Venezuela, south with the Cesar department and southwest with the Magdalena department.

It is politically divided into 15 municipalities with a total population of 818,695 people, of which 54.5% are located in urban areas and 45.5% in rural areas. La Guajira is an arid territory with average temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees below the thousand feet of relief. Considered mostly a desert with exotic views that attract tourism.

CARIBBEAN SEA

GULF OF VENEZUELA

INTRO/ WÜIN

3

La Guajira is also home to one of the largest opencast coal mines in the world: El Cerrejón. It is a private entity expert in extracting and exporting coal. After extraction, coal travels a 150 km railroad to Puerto Bolivar, one of the largest marine harbors in South America, which receives loads up to 180,000 tons. It has around 5,373 direct employees, of which 62% come from La Guajira, 28% from the Caribbean coast and 10% from the rest of the country. Given its size and capacity, it is definitely a great contribution to the national and regional economy.

INTRO/ WÜIN

On the other hand, we have the Wayúu, the largest native community in Colombia and Venezuela. They are one of the Arawak groups that settled in the Circumcarribean region during the Spanish arrival in the fifteenth century. Throughout history the Wayúu have been considered resistant to the European conquerors, the extractive industries settled in this territory and the inequitable decisions of the government.

belief regarding dreams: they believe spirits can communicate with humans while sleeping, so each detail of the dream has a meaning and a message.

They believe in the existence of a special place “Jepira” where the soul of the dead rests after the double burial of their bones. Traditional music is present in different rituals like the well known dance “la Chichamaya” where they use instruments such as flutes and drums.

They live in small villages called “rancherías,” distant from each other, these settlements house approximately 140 people. The “El palabrero” is in charge of solving any kind of conflict between villagers. “El piachi” or healer uses traditional medicine to nurse the sick and also, interpret their dreams or symbolic trances. They have a strong

The main activity of men is grazing. The more animals they have, the wealthier they are. They use these to seal weddings, compensate crimes and establish peace in conflicts. They often have a garden where they grow corn, beans, cassava, and watermelon, among other vegetables and fruits. Nowadays, some work in the salt mine in Manaure while

others are currently involved in the intense contraband between Colombia and Venezuela.

The Wayúu handcrafts include ornamental objects such as hammocks, bags, bracelets, and shoes; they are all made by women. Ceramic production is also a female activity with a great spiritual value. It is their role to keep and pass these and other cultural traditions and rituals from generation to generation.

INTRO/ WÜIN

WOMEN ACTIVITIES

MEN ACTIVITIES

school

“la enramada”

soccer field

15

11 3

10

5

13 4

849

219 55

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RESEARCH/ WÜIN

INTRO/ WĂœIN

Aqueduct

Sewerage

Waste Collection

Children malnourished

However, La Guajira is one of the poorest regions of the country. A weight of reality that hit me like a bucket of cold water, when I set foot in this land again. A reality based on illiteracy, malnutrition, lack of public services and domestic violence. Contributing for a change became one of the biggest motivations for 2013 where, I decided to dedicate my Master of Design and Innovation to research the current conditions of the WayĂşu natives. I felt I needed to go back, this time, with something in hand.

Systems thinking is the VISUALIZING COMPLEX process of understanding SITUATIONS, SYSTEMS & how things, regarded as CONNECTIONS CAN systems, influence one ACTUALLY LEAD TO another within a whole.

SIMPLE ANSWERS AND INSIGHTS

RESEARCH/ WÜIN What is the situation of the Wayúu in order to have one of the highest rate of poverty of the country?

* The map is the result of economic, physical and information connections between the three pillars with secondary and tertiary entities, having applied the systemic thinking. In collaboration with Maria Paz Collao Vega y Juan Felipe Dueñas Betancourt

EL CERREJÓN

U. DE LOS ANDES

U. NACIONAL

PRENSA

SOCIEDAD

PROCURADURÍA

CONTRALORÍA

To start, I had to visualize and analyze the situation, in order to understand the reason for this incoherent social imbalance. By raising the following statement: Why does the La Guajira department have one of the highest rates of poverty in the country? All entities directly and indirectly involved were extrapolated.

GOBIERNACIÓN DE LA GUAJIRA

MINISTERIO DE HACIENDA

GOBIERNO NACIONAL

Economical Physical SECRETARÍA DE ASUNTOS INDÍGENAS

Information

This is how we were able to visualize the three major ones: El Cerrejón, the coal company as an important source of revenue for the department; the government with its administrative and political network; and the Wayúu indigenous people, with their culture and beliefs. We interconnect the three principle entities with each other and with secondary and tertiary entities (such as universities, ONGs, press, etc) also involved in the system, taking into

account the possible exchanges they have regarding information, economical support and physical action. This exercise made us arrive to the following conclusions. The conditions in which the Wayúu live nowadays is due to: 1) The network of corruption and bureaucracy in the administrative system of Colombia’s government which fails to properly channel the royalties from the company El Cerrejón to invest in the necessary infrastructure for change.

2) The Wayúu, as many other indigenous groups in Colombia, have been forgotten and isolated by the government for a long period of time.

3) The inefficiency in the maintenance of past initiatives.

RESEARCH/ WÜIN

GIVE A MAN A FISH AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A LIFETIME. social action vs social innovation

The difference between social action and social innovation gains importance in the project. Social action is a voluntary activity to help and share knowledge with those in need. Social innovation is a change of habit for the people affected, starting off with the participation in the process of solving their own problems that takes place through the commitment to implement the solution.

ity of the Wayúu. The intention is to start a pilot test with a Wayúu family in which they will have the opportunity to test, modify, and finally contribute to the development of the product. After testing, they will have the opportunity to be involved as much as they want in the design process, generating what is called “co- creation” or “co-design “ where there is a cooperation between user and designer.

This project is a proposal for social innovation, which seeks to solve the problem of drinkable water, with an alternative and recursive solution and a special focus in the cultural acceptabil-

“Social design can also recognize and build on the things that people have designed for themselves, using their ingenuity and resources available locally. “

RESEARCH/ WÜIN

JAGÜEY 36% WIND MILLS 19%

CONTENT Microbes Virus Coliform Bacterias Amoebas

Salts Chlorures Magnesium Calcium

CONSEQUENCES Dhiarrea Parasites Dehydratation

Cholera Giardiasis Stomachache

RIVERS 13% MICROACUEDUCTO 10% TANK CAR 8%

How is the current situation?

Women and children spend time and effort to recollect water in wells called “jagueys” (most common source available). The water is highly contaminated and is the vehicle of short and longterm diseases that affects mainly, with a greater extent and risk, to children under 5.

Several microbiological analysis performed in this water source, led by national and international NGOs and foundations, proves that the samples collected exceed the standards allowed by the environmental policy. There is presence of coliform bacteria (excrement), virus, amoeba and helminthes.

RESEARCH/ WÜIN

TODAY Jaguey = microbiological contamination

NOT AWARE

1) RECOLLECTION

E’coli

Salmonella Typhi

Schistosoma

Cholera vibrios

Hepatitis A

NO FILTER 2) TRANSFORMATION METHOD Wind mills = Salinity in the water

3) MULTIPLE USES

drink

cooking

washing

feeding

feeding

= DISEASES

Wells = turbidity

RESEARCH/ WĂœIN

DIRTY HANDS

FLIES

ENVIRONMENT

WATER

FOOD

DREGS

DISEASE CAUSES WATER IS JUST ONE OF THEM

However, water is only one of the causes of these diseases. Basic hygiene habits, a dusty environment, presence of flies and quality of food are also leading causes of the diseases. Therefore, I realized if I wanted to interrupt the cycle of illness I should stop focusing on water purification and start taking into account the importance of raising awareness of the urgent change of habits.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT Provide potable water and change basic hygiene habits in Wayúu indigenous communities.

CONCEPT It is certain that introducing new health habits, building trust in an indigenous community, and generating an exchange of information between “external people” and the Wayúu, takes a lot of time. It is, however, the same amount of time required in the “drop to drop” of the natural and handmade filtration process.

Time is a vital element in the WÜIN concept, the core value of the elements that composes it: soil, water and fire that slowly becomes ceramic, clean water and sanitation. It is a project that invites Colombians to go back in time and appreciate the natural, spiritual and cognitive richness of our ancestors.

There are few detailed studies of indigenous communities who currently inhabit the Colombian territory. This project encourages people to be more aware of our origins and question todays situation of the natives. Learn from their knowledge on traditional medicine; understand their strong contact with nature and natural resources, in exchange for improving significantly their quality of life.

1

2

4

6

5

Conceptualizing

3

1. Lifestraw concept 2. SODIS 3. Hipporoller 4. Chlorine dispenser 5. EliodomĂŠstico 6. Filtro lento de arena

7

CONCEPTUALIZING/ WÜIN

ATTACHABLE COMPACT INTEGRATED

SOLAR STILL

CLAY PROPERTIES

MIXING UP TECHNOLOGIES

ACCEPTABILITY

CLAY PROPERTIES

CONCEPTUALIZING/ WĂœIN Filter A A

FILTERING

B

DRINKING

C

WASHING

D

STRUCTURE

Contain water

B

C

For basic hygiene To drink clean & fresh water

D

More confortable to work sitting down.

Wood trunks tied together with rope

CONCEPTUALIZING/ WÜIN

TIME TO WRITE A BRIEF #1: COMMUNICATE WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE WATER E’coli

Salmonella Typhi

Schistosoma

Cholera vibrios

SENSIBLE PERSON

UNTREATED WATER CONSUMPTION

Hepatitis A SOURCE OF WATER CONTAMINATED

“THEY GET USE TO DRINK UNSAFE WATER THAT THEY EVEN CLAIM THEY DISLIKE THE TASTE OF CLEAN WATER”

Taste, tact, smell, sight and audio are the five ways of perceiving a tangible item. However, if you’ve taken something with certain characteristics throughout your life, how can you possibly think that makes you ill? Most pathogens in the water are invisible to the human eye. With an addition of complexity, the Wayúu are burdened symbolically in regards to evil spirits and their relationship to disease. It appears that a scientific explanation of microscopic observations of organisms that inhabit the water is not a viable solution for dealing with the Wayuu.

We lasted almost 16 years learning it, academically supported with books and scientific tools to believe and understand the microscopic world, tools that are very difficult to provide in the villages. In addition, we intend to raise awareness of the direct connection be-

INFECTED PERSON

tween bacteria and disease to people with different age ranges: elders, adults and children rooted to their traditional knowledge. Thus, we should find a simple way to make the invisible tangible.

The ceramic filter requires a monthly maintenance that must be carried out with a semi thick brush. It’ll clean a material accumulated at the bottom of the filter that has agglomerated bacteria and pathogens that weren’t able to pass through the pores of the ceramic filter. This black matter, dirt or soil is a way of showing the filtration process and converting the invisible into something tangible.

PATHOGENS IN EXCRETA

THE ART OF SCRUBBING

CONCEPTUALIZING/ WÜIN

TIME TO WRITE A BRIEF #2. DO IT YOURSELF

“Social design can also recognise and build on things that people have designed by themselves, using their own ingenuity and locally available resources.”

How Good Design Can Create a Better World

In 1902 the first attempts to bring clean water to the indigenous regions of La Guajira were performed. The most common way, then, was to incorporate windmills in the landscape. The state installed most of them during the General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla government. However, a windmill requires external maintenance after installation and many were simply forgotten, becoming a failed initiative.

Since 2007, the Water Foundation of El Cerrejón has attempted to recover this initiative on several occasions : identifying the location of these for-

gotten windmills and carrying out the necessary maintenance their general rehabilitation. However, I wanted to go further on this.

The Wayúu communities have always been characterized as self-constructers by using natural materials to build up their houses. However, there has been a noticeable disconnection of these principles with the western influences and connections. One of WÜIN’s main requirements is Do It Yourself (DIY) in order to avoid external maintenance of high technologies and industry knowl-

edge that natives will not understand nor accept.

Using their knowledge, materials and local production would generate selfsufficiency in the system and significantly reduce external dependence. It will encourage artisanal production of a tradition that has been lost in time, such as ceramics, and will also generate job opportunities with the opening of small specialized workshops to treat this material in the surrounding municipalities.

wood logs hemp ceramics sand cactus thread

CONCEPTUALIZING/ WÜIN

TIME TO WRITE A BRIEF #3. ACCEPTABILITY VALUE

UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCEPT OF LIFE, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, RESPECT AND INTEGRITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

One of the challenges was to design a product with the added value of acceptability from the indigenous group; I find it essential for the projects success. Being aware that an intervention in the Wayúu context means understanding their concept of life, human development, respect and integrity of the environment.

I studied how they craft their ceramics based on the powerful “ eyes watch“ for their sizes. The basic tools they use made of coconut shell, gourd or other recursive materials found in the environment. They prepare a mixture of the clay and water taken from the “dividivi” (type of common cactus in La Guajira), then using a slow drying and open burning technique as a

replacement of the kiln. I have been able to make the first formal proposals and prototypes resembling as much as possible the way of it’s production. In this way, from this point, I began to understand the difficulties and limitations that may occur when manufacturing in situ.

The idea is that the Wayúu interpret each individual piece, understanding their functionality, and then making their own. These are not industrialized pieces; they are made for themselves, according to their capacity and needs.

This creates a feeling of belonging with the final object, which can then be decorated, as they want, always respecting their initial function.

WÜIN It might seem impossible from the eyes of an external that in the twenty-first century there are still people dying with unsafe water consumption and sanitation problems. Even more impossible, if we say that this data comes from the Wayúu natives, who have endured centuries in the north-side of the Colombian territory and that today, their handcrafts and textile items are sold in art museum stores in Europe for a very high price.

This is the same irony that prompted me to use this year of specialization in product design, to have a better look at the system and how it directly affects people surrounding me.

WÜIN is an integrated product with a low production cost that uses local materials and encourages the Wayúu to recover the traditional knowledge in ceramics to provide their own drinkable water and start teaching children to change their habits and basic hygiene. An open source proposal that functions as a platform that will gradually connect people interested in participating, involving them in the project and improving hand to hand the product with the indigenous.

SOME WORDS OF THE CERAMIST MARIA DE ANDRÉS www.mariadeandres.com

Me ha encantado colaborar con el Proyecto WÜIN, que pretende mejorar las condiciones de vida del pueblo indígena Wayúu, en concreto la potabilización del agua a través de sus piezas cerámicas.

PROTOTYPING The prototyping challenge was to get as close as possible to the way Wayúu traditionally treat the ceramics and construct their objects.

Para la producción de las 4 piezas de cerámica que componen este proyecto, he procurado utilizar los mismos métodos, utensilios y herramientas que puedan tener ellos a su alcance en su producción cerámica, trabajando la arcilla con el método de churros sobre torneta manual.

Agradezco a Laura Roca que haya contado con mi experiencia como ceramista y deseo que este sueño se haga realidad y pueda llevarlo a cabo con el pueblo indígena Wayúu, y con otros pueblos indígenas en un futuro próximo.

Madrid, 26 de Noviembre de 2013

María de Andrés

TOMORROW

OBJECTIVES 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Create an open source platform that allows people interested in the project to share ideas, participate and get involved, according to their time and knowledge.

A product that produces enough to sustain the daily water consumption of a family.

A product that lacks technical difficulties or external dependence in case of damage, to avoid the use of expensive technologies and ongoing maintenance. Production will be carried out in context or if necessary, with affordable equipment in a municipality.

A product that integrates the beliefs and traditions of the WayĂşu in its design.

A product that keeps an integrated communication scheme in order to assimilate clean water and hygiene with the product. Explain, educate and raise awareness about the contaminated water and common diseases relation.

E’coli

2,9 L / person / day

+ 2,2 L / person / day

7,5-15 L / person / day 1 L / person / day

Studies estimate an average amount of water required for adult men is: 2.9 L/ person/day, adult women : 2.2 L person/day, children: 1.0 L person/day. For other activities that require the use of clean water such as cooking or hygiene: 7.5L - 15 L/person/day is required. This depends on climate, habits, cultural practices and other variables.

Schistosoma

Cholera vibrios

BOTIJO

Hepatitis A

HYGIENE VASE

2) TRANSFORMATION METHOD

HEALTHY COMMUNITY HYGIENE

Salmonella Typhi

FILTER

3) MULTIPLE USES

HUMAN CONSUMPTION

AWARE

1) RECOLLECTION

drink

cooking

washing

feeding

feeding

PRODUCTION PREPARING THE MIXTURE The pores of the filter don’t let bacterias pass through because of their size difference.

aserrín cerámica

sawdust clay

aserrín cerámica

colloidal silver + water

water

aserrín cerámica

water

water

1) Sift the clay and sawdust.

HAND - MADE

2) Mix the colloidal silver with water.

HAND - MADE water

colloidal silver + water

3) Mix the sawdust and clay.

sawdust clay

HAND - MADE

SHAPING THE FILTER

colloidal silver + water

HAND - MADE

CERAMIC FILTER History The ceramic filter was developed in the Central American Research Institute of Industrial Technology ( ICATI ) in 1986 . Throughout the years, several NGOs have been added to the research and development of the filter, until in 1999 Potters for Peace held a large-scale production in Nicaragua due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch.

Today it is a technology used in different parts of the world and led mainly

by NGOs.

water

micropores coated with the silver to clean and purify the water. During the firing process, about an inch of charcoal is produced within the filter, which further improves the water.

CLAY

COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL Production After the clay and combustible have both been sieved through a fine mesh, they are mixed together with a measured amount of silver and water until a mixture is formed. The mixture has to be as homogeneous as possible because this ensures a uniformly distributed pore structure around the filter. At the industry level it can be formed with the help of an hydraulic press, but it can also be done by hands.

It is then fired, moment when the combustible material is burned out leaving

sawdust

peanut shell

COLLOIDAL SILVER

coffee husks

rice husks

This filter has proven effective in removing bacteria, viruses and heavy metals. Mejora el sabor y el olor del agua y reduce la turbidez. Dirty particles accumulated in the bottom of the filter have to be cleared out by scrubbing it with a brush.

Colloidal silver Colloidal silver can be found in liquid or powdered form. The silver is diluted using water and is applied by dipping, brushing or it can be mixed with the combustible material and clay before firing.

1) A pore size of less than or equal to 1.3 micron, filters out main contaminating particles: turbidity, parasites and bacteria.

2) Colloidal silver creates a hostile environment for bacteria, reducing its effect as it passes through it.

3) One half inch of charcoal integrated into the core of the filter improves taste, odor, and color.

5) Shaped by hand with “churros” HAND - MADE

4) Add gradually the water with colloidal silver into the mixture.

or with an hydraulic press.

DRYING

FIRING

6) Leave it dry for a couple of days in a safe place.

7) Kiln it or fire it in a hole in the ground covered with sagebrush and logs

KILN

colloidal silver + wate

PROTOTYPING/ WÜIN

%

CLAY+ SAWDUST+ COLLOIDAL SILVER

THE FILTER

THE CONTAINER

According to the Center for Disease Control, keeping hands clean is “one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.”

It might be another cliché of sanitation but in these kinds of situations is where you truly see the effect and importance of this action. A habit that should definitively start teaching in children at a early age. The WÜIN vessel is an educational element that teaches the Wayúu to disinfect their hands and clean their fruits and vegetables before eating. It has written down the word “ashijawaa” that means, “to clean,” in wayúus first language.

clean your hands before eating!

THE VASE

THE BOTIJO

The second educational element is the very well known object in Spain: “the botijo.” It is a jug of clay, designed to store drinkable and cool water. The idea is to integrate this element into the Wayúu habits for them to carry it and drink clean and fresh water whenever they’re thirsty. Aesthetically, both educative elements have the same language, which is why the word “asawaa” is written in the botijos back. This word means to drink in Wayuunaiki. They also have a red stripe made with red iron oxide (a mineral found in soil) that aims to become a distinguishable color directly related to cleanness. It will prevent the use of these objects for other tasks that can become a source of recontamination.

2) SERVE IT 1) FILL IT

3) TAKE IT WITH YOU

4) CLEAN YOUR HANDS REGULARLY

4) CLEAN YOUR FOOD BEFORE EATING

FOR MORE INFORMATION: VIDEOS: Gotas de sol Dórica, una niña de la comunidad Wayuu de La Guajira Colombia: el agua más preciada de las mujeres Wayúu Wayúu, Indígenas de La Guajira Ted Talk: Michael Pritchard vuelve el agua sucia en agua potable Ted Talk: How design can help fight poverty IDEO Ripple effect: access to safe drinking water for acumen fund and the bill & melinda gates foundation INTERESTING SITES Banrepcultural.org Revista Económica Supuestos (Universidad de los Andes): La guajira y el Cerrejón Fundación Cerrejón para el Agua en La Guajira FILTRATION REFERENCES Filtro Artesanal de Agua Sawyer Squeeze Filter Chlorine dispenser Innovations for Poverty Action - Safe Water Program 60 Seconds SODIS Nanoparticles silver: www.scidev.net PAUL portable aqua unit for lifesaving Eliodomestico Sand filtering Water distillation ONGS Charity water www.home.waterforpeople.org www.pottersforpeace.org www.wateraid.org OTHER REFERENCES: México agua lluvia: www.somosdi.com Compostable water filter: www.somawater.co Toilets in India: www.sulabhinternational.org Solar still: www.watercones.com Peepoople: www.peepoople.com

SOME WORDS Un proyecto que de primera instancia sabía que iba a ser un gran reto, que con el tiempo se convirtió en un gusto a la investigación, para convertirse en un sinfin de hojas sin nada concreto. Finalmente, con la ayuda de muchos, logré llegar a un primer prototipo, con sus proporciones y detalles a mejorar, pero sin embargo, considero, un gran comienzo.

Lo mas dificil como diseñadora fué desprenderme de las herramientas industriales e intentar adecuarme a un acabado mucho más artesanal y rural, intentando siempre ponerme en los zapatos de los que en un futuro llegarán a producirlo en circunstancias opuestas a las que yo me encuentro. El proyecto me ayudó a cuestionarme sobre el mundo del diseño y mi enfoque hacia el futuro, a conocer mucho más de mis antepasados además de mi propia región donde fuí criada, y a darme la oportunidad de compartir la cultura Wayúu con los hoy presentes en esta exposición.

Desarrollar este proyecto hasta que se haga realidad es mi mayor objetivo, y estoy conciente que para eso, hay un largo camino aún por recorrer.

Gracias!

Special thanks to: Frederick Misik Clive Van Heerden Pablo Jarauta Álvaro Catalán Maria de Andrés Fabio Molinas Maria Paz Collao Marcela Cáceres Lidya Cortberg

Sergio Roca Alex Creamer Johanna Roca Jason Little Laura Martínez Avelino Roca Claudia Castilla Juliana Correa Bruno Heap