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Company Affiliate & Project Background

2nd Generation

Team Members

3rd Generation

1st Generation

Company Affiliate & Project Background

Partners for Care

Purpose: Decrease number of deaths caused by preventable diseases in East Africa 

Process: Develop sustainable methods and share with local communities to encourage self-help  

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Project Background

Jiggers are small insects that burrow into the skin of fingers and toes creating an infection. Children and adults of the Marsabit community who often walk barefoot suffer from these infections, as Jiggers are widely found in the soil. Wearing shoes can be a preventative measure as it creates a barrier between the insect and the skin. The objective of this project is to work with Partners for Care to design a shoe for the Marsabit community. 

Design Requirements

  • Sustainable and replicable process

  • Accessible resources in Marsabit 

  • Minimize production costs

  • Shoes suitable for nomadic community

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Team members

Team Members

Diverse group of different majors, years and backgrounds. Great team dynamics and effective group work. From left to right:​

  • Rahmat Clinton 

    • Major: Chemical Engineering​

    • Year: 4th year

  • Nathan Chow ​

    • Major: Mechanical Engineering​

    • Year: 2nd year

  • Waseem Rahmanzai

    • Major: Industrial Engineering​

    • Year: 5th year

  • Haley Tam

    • Major: Mechanical Engineering​

    • Year: 2nd year

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1st gen

1st Generation

  • Materials: dry corn, board, nails

  • Process Description: ​

Place nails on board outlining shape of foot

Braid the dry corn husk into a rope

Design Advantages

  • Materials are widely available and inexpensive 

  • Process is sustainable and easily replicable 

Weave corn husk rope into shoe

Design Problems

  • Close-toed shoe preferred for better protection against  jiggers 

  • Sandal not sturdy enough for Marsabit's terrain 

  • Shoes not comfortable 

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2nd gen

2nd Generation

Watch video for complete list of materials and detailed process.

Design Advantages

  • All materials are widely available 

  • Process is clear and simple to replicate

Design Problems

  • Shoes not durable for Marsabit's terrain

  • Grip on the foot is loose 

  • Shoes needs to be dry otherwise corn husk will rot

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3rd gen

3rd Generation

Watch video for complete list of materials and detailed process.

Part 1​

Design Advantages

  • Shoe design is ZERO waste

  • All materials are widely available 

  • Shoes are comfortable and look like footwear

  • Process is clear and simple to replicate

  • Parts of shoes can be reused (sole and side structure)

Part 2

Design Problems

  • Design uses significant amount of fabric 

  • Bottom of shoe requires constant reinforcement with fabric because of tear due to friction

Bottom is prone to tearing up

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