These two indigenous girls won the “Nobel Prize for Water Youth” thanks to their filter that purifies water

Shanni Valeria Mora Fajardo and Rosa Mendoza Sosatwo young students from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, recently achieved international recognition for their innovative project. The two girls, who attend the High School for Integral Intercultural Education in Oaxaca, won the Diploma of Excellence at the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2024an event considered the “Nobel for young people in water”.

The prize was awarded during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, underlining the importance of their contribution in terms of sustainability and innovation. The project, called “Domestic filter as an alternative in the reuse of inked water in the cultivation of vegetables”, focuses on the treatment of wastewater resulting from textile dyeing, a traditional practice in Teotitlán del Valle.

The goal of the filter is purify these waters to make them reusable in the cultivation of vegetablesthus promoting an ecological and sustainable approach. This solution not only responds to a practical need, but represents a significant contribution to preservation of the community’s artisan traditionscombining modernity and cultural heritage.

Filters remove chemical residues from dyes

The students were guided by Professor Brenda Jarquín Martínez, who played a key role in supporting their path. Their job was selected from over 450 proposals from Mexicostanding out for its originality and relevance.

The proposed technique is based on a system of specific filters capable of remove chemical residues from dyes used in the production of fabricsimproving the efficiency of water consumption and reducing environmental impact.

The awards ceremony was presided over by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, an honor that further amplifies the value of their success. In addition to technical recognition, the award highlights the role of indigenous women in science and could inspire other young people to undertake similar paths.

As stated by Shanni Mora, the project is a symbol of gender equality and opportunitydemonstrating that cultural and social barriers can be overcome through determination and innovation. Plus it shows how tradition and technology can come together to face the environmental and social challenges of the future.