The Play Pump

The Play Pump is a social innovation that captured worldwide attention several years ago (2005) when it emerged in small communities throughout South Africa. The story of how the Play Pump was created illustrates the power of social innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The founder of the Play Pump successfully combined insights from engineering, education, marketing, and public health to develop a powerful solution that simultaneously addresses a number of social issues (e.g., the need for clean water and the need for exercise equipment for local school children). Now, that is a symphonic solution--using all of the resources available to produce something once thought impossible.

Check out this short video clip from Frontline World on Play Pumps.

Have you seen similar social innovations that simultaneously address multiple social issues? If so, let me know!