
08/26/2025
Meet Navjot Sawhney — the mind and heart behind The Washing Machine Project, a global humanitarian initiative that’s transforming how vulnerable communities handle one of the most labor-intensive daily tasks: washing clothes.
Navjot, born in London to Indian parents displaced during the 1947 Partition, was deeply shaped by stories of resilience and loss. After losing his father at age 8, he was raised by his mother and two sisters, sparking his commitment to helping women and displaced communities. With a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Queen Mary University, he began his career at Dyson before shifting to humanitarian work in South India with Engineers Without Borders. It was here he met Divya, his neighbor—whose struggle with washing clothes by hand for up to 20 hours a week left a lasting impression. Moved by her story, Navjot made a promise: he would build her a washing machine.
Back in the UK, he kept that promise by building the first hand-powered prototype. In 2019, he officially founded The Washing Machine Project, naming the machine “Divya” in her honor. That same year, he deepened his expertise by enrolling in a master's program in Humanitarianism, Conflict, and Development at the University of Bath.
Since its inspection, over 650 Divya Washing Machines have been distributed, reaching 46,840 people across India, Iraq, Lebanon, the U.S., Mexico, and Uganda. Designed through research in 13 countries and over 3,000 family interviews, the machines are built to fit local needs and reduce the burden of handwashing, especially for women and girls. The Washing Machine Project also provides user training, maintenance support, and grants to help communities generate income and sustain long-term use.
The Washing Machine Project has secured support from key partners like RS Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Santander, Meanwell, and the Whirlpool Foundation, as well as major humanitarian groups such as UNHCR, Save The Children, Oxfam, Care International, and Plan International.
In March 2024, Navjot returned to South India with the Whirlpool Foundation to personally deliver machines to Divya and her community, fulfilling his heartfelt promise. The project keeps growing with a strong focus on creating sustainable, innovative solutions for displaced and remote communities across the globe.
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