Team Nina: Safe Drinking Water for Peru

JA Americas | JA Peru

Ariana Bettocchi, Fiamma Bahamonde, Isabella Romero, Daniela Escribens, Michelle Leigh, Emma Cilloniz, Daniella Becerra, Camille Rouillon, Luciana Córdova, Camila Salmón

Tamara, who lives with in western Peru with her family, wanted help: Her little brother had developed typhoid fever from drinking polluted water from the Rímac River, the only source of water available to their family. His life was at risk.

Ten Peruvian teenage girls stepped in. Research showed that two billion people around the world lack safe drinking water, resulting in nearly 100 deaths every hour, so they focused their JA Peru company—named Nina—on developing an inexpensive water-filtration system. Designed and 3D printed by the team, the result is Yaku, a portable, sealed, stainless steel one-liter bottle that filters 99.99% of water’s impurities and is priced 40% lower than its competition. Each bottle also features a Peruvian-themed graphic design.

Recognizing that a one-liter personal water bottle won’t make enough of a difference for most households, Team Nina sought out paid investors to help expand into a larger product, called the Mayu. This backpack version enables filtration and purification of enough water for a family of four and can be worn to and from rivers and other water sources. Rather than sell the Mayu, Team Nina donates one for every ten Yakus sold, and is looking to expand beyond Peru, once needs there are met.

The goal: To save lives, including that of Tamara’s brother.