Elesa UK and the Washing Machine Project collaborate for a better future

The Washing Machine Project (TWMP) is a humanitarian initiative focused on providing off-grid manual washing machines to people living in low-income and displaced communities.

Their mission is to ease the burden of unpaid labour, especially for women, by delivering sustainable, practical solutions. The project was born from the experience of Nav, an aerospace engineer, who was moved by the challenges faced by his neighbour in South India, who spent up to 20 hours a week handwashing clothes.

This inspired Nav to create a prototype washing machine, a small step that would later grow into The Washing Machine Project in 2019. Since then, TWMP has distributed its innovative washing machine, Divya, to more than 13 countries, impacting over 30,000 people. Through close collaboration with local communities and humanitarian organizations, TWMP tailors its solutions to meet the specific needs of different regions, empowering those it serves with a more dignified and efficient approach to laundry.

One of the main challenges in creating the Divya washing machine was ensuring it was durable, easy to manoeuvre, and affordable. Because the machine is shared within communities and used in various environments, it needed to be both long-lasting and low maintenance. This is where Elesa, a leading manufacturer of high-quality machine components, played a crucial role.

Elesa was selected to supply key parts for the machine, particularly the Cylindrical Revolving Handle and the Bridge Handle, which helped address the key requirements of durability, user comfort, and mobility.

The partnership with Elesa was driven by the need for components that were both sturdy and cost-effective. The Cylindrical Revolving Handle was chosen because it is comfortable to use, durable, and affordable - perfect for the crank handle that users turn to operate the machine.

As the main touchpoint for users, this handle had to be able to withstand regular use while still being easy and comfortable to grip. Elesa’s Bridge Handle, meanwhile, helps with the machine’s portability, allowing users to lift and move it easily. Given that many communities share the Divya machine, portability is a key feature, and Elesa’s components have made this both practical and reliable.