Embarking on the Liquify project has been a journey filled with waves of challenges, currents of innovation, and a steady flow of impact. As the proud recipient of the Iris Prize, I’m thrilled to share the story of Liquify—our mission, struggles, and the experiences that have shaped the Liquify journey so far.
A Fluid Start
Let me take you back to the start of Liquify, where the theme was simple yet profound—water. It all began with a vision to address the global water crisis comprehensively. Rainwater catchments, recharge wells, and water filters became our tools of choice to sculpt positive change.
Navigating Solo Seas
However, the path to making a ripple effect in the water crisis domain was challenging. Balancing the multifaceted aspects of the project alone proved to be a daunting task. We bit off more than we could chew; we wanted to tackle this water problem from all angles:
- Rainwater catchment (Collecting rain for a sustainable source of water)
- Recharge wells (Slowing water runoff and replenishing groundwater)
- Water Filters (Providing people with direct access to water filtration)
- Upcycled fashion (Reducing fast fashion water waste)
- Educational books (Providing books and running classes on the water crisis)
- Village project (Providing a grant for a village to enable direct access to clean water through direct pipelines)
The flow of progress, intertwined with the weight of responsibilities, urged a strategic rethink.
Setting Sail Towards Focus
In charting the course forward, the decision was made to focus on a pivotal aspect—implementing recharge wells across Bali. This strategic shift allows for a concentrated effort in collecting precise data, a key element to showcase the real impact of our project. Imagine it as a water-centric counterpart to carbon offsetting—an interactive system unveiling the genuine difference our initiatives make.
Transparent Impact
The heart of this new approach lies in transparency. We’re developing a dynamic dashboard, a visual narrative that communicates the tangible impact of our work. We aim to illustrate the transformative effects of recharge wells and other initiatives through data visualisation. It’s not just about what we do; it’s about showcasing the real-world change we bring.
Lessons Learned, Progress Made
Since winning the Iris Prize, we have dedicated the last months of 2023 to finishing this year’s main goal: connecting a village with a water source. The pipes have been installed, and now a village in Kintamani with over 170 residents has access to clean drinking water for life. Seeing a village community come together and help build this project with us, they seemed so excited. We plan to celebrate with everyone involved in an upcoming weekend and make a short video documenting the impact that this has made on the individual families and the village as a whole. Looking forward to 2024, we have been working hard on project planning and networking for the busy year ahead, so stay tuned for next year.
Reflection
So much this year… and it’s crazy to think that 2023 will be over soon. Despite all the challenges this year, we did an amazing job adapting and completing the goals. I want to give a massive thank you to my Mentor, Gove (a Green School parent) and my Iris Project mentors, Sumarni and Yazid. In conclusion, Liquify is not just a project; it’s a commitment to a better, water-secure future. The Iris Prize has not only recognised
our efforts but helped us to refine, refocus, and continue our journey… towards a world where everyone has access to clean drinking water.
By I Ketut Darma Dipta
