Have you heard about Deepika Kurup and her Solar-Powered Water Purifier?

http://youtu.be/a6kegkC7-oo

There are a plethora of problems that plague the planet. Famine, disease, dirty water…

After a visit to India, one young girl, Deepika Kurup, was inspired to find a solution to unsafe drinking water.

“When on vacation in India, I witnessed the sight of children drinking dirty water from a stagnant pool. I instantly knew I had to do something about the global water crisis.” — Deepika Kurup

Deepika Kurup invented a device that harnesses solar power to disinfect water at a rate much more substantial than existing technologies, an invention that has the potential to provide clean water for people across the globe.

Lack of access to sanitation and hygiene in the developing world causes many health problems, especially for children who are at an increased risk of contracting diseases from unsafe drinking water. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old, and 90% of deaths are due to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene, and is made worse by health problems that affect many children in third world countries. Deepika’s invention could offer a simple and cost-effective solution to cleaning water sources for thousands of people around the world.

Since winning 25,000 dollars from the Discovery Kids Science Fair with her invention Deepika has met with President Obama, shared the technology with several companies, and plans to use the prize money as a start program to harness the technology in India.

Deepika’s success makes you wonder… how many more simple and effective solutions exist to international problems that can be solved by kids? What sort of technologies can children invent if given the opportunity?

The following YouTube video featuring Deepika Kurup, is an inspiring way to learn more about her work: