Cristina Handal has a unique idea that she thinks will significantly improve the lives of women in Honduras, and this idea has been recognized as a finalist for the New Challenge 2013. This graduate student in the MS Design & Urban Ecologies program in the School of Design Strategies, in collaboration with Marco Zelaya, NSPE ’14 (Milano), has been working on a project called Y-Corn.

The Y-Corn is an innovative solution that changes the lives of eloteras, Honduran women that sell corn alongside the roads, by providing crucial infrastructure and water. The name is inspired by the project’s unique structure, a “Y” shaped shelter that captures, filters and harvests rainwater, which will then be used by the eloteras who lack water during the dry season.

The mission of this powerful model is to transform the economic conditions of Honduran families by providing sustainable access to the basic needs of water, sanitation and shelter, while providing dignity through entrepreneurship.

The New Challenge 2013 is a competition within The New School in which students present their innovative ideas to address social and environmental issues, with the grand prize being $10,000 for the project.

On March 8th, students will pitch their ideas, and winners will be announced at an event March 13 at The New School.

NEW CHALLENGE Finalists’ Pitch Event:
March 8th, 2013, 2-4pm
Kellen Auditorium
66 5th Avenue, 1st Floor

Panel, Celebration, and Winners Announcement
March 13th, 2013, 6-9pm
Theresa Lang Center
55 West 13th Street, 2nd Floor