FPS presented WaterSafe solution at the 6th MSU Food Aid Sustainable Packaging Solutions Workshop held between October 23-25, 2023, at the Michigan State University in Michigan, USA.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of FPS and inventor of the WaterSafe backpack, David Fischer, introduced the problem statement of water insecurity in developing countries with a particular focus on Kenya, where our efforts have started to make a positive impact. In Kenya, 80% of illnesses, such as diarrhea, back and spinal pain, are linked to unsafe water quality due to the use of heavily contaminated discarded jerrycans and buckets.
He talked about our struggle to find a workable model for the distribution and tracking of the WaterSafe benefits on the end user over the last decade and the successful results after the collaboration with Partners for Care, an NGO led by Connie Cheren that is operating in Kenya. Moreover, he emphasized the utmost importance “…of keeping safe water safe during transportation, storage and dispensing, which is the Achilles’ heel of the water insecurity problem”.
Next, Tony Black, Director of Business Development at FPS and WaterSafe project lead, presented the benefits and the fit-for-purpose design features of the WaterSafe solution that, according to studies, secure a high adoption rate and correct usage. He highlighted that “after adopting the solution, users from, Machakos and Watamu Counties in Kenya reported a significant reduction in back and spinal pain as well as improvement in health conditions due to a reduction in waterborne diseases.” He also spoke about studies where a seriously malnourished child had been on a nutritional program for 12 weeks, with little to no improvement. After introducing the WaterSafe, significant results were witnessed within the following 12-week period. Finally, he presented FPS’s target to distribute together with Partners for Care the WaterSafe to all 43,645 schools in Kenya.
David Fischer (Chairman of the Board of Directors FPS)
David Fischer (FPS), Connie Cheren (Partners for Care) and Tony Black (FPS) showcase the use of the WaterSafe.
View the whole presentation:
Addressing the Achilles’ heel of the water insecurity problem – WaterSafe presentation at the Michigan State University
Click here to learn more about WaterSafe.
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