Global Sustainable Partnerships (GSP), a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, today announced the shipment of an additional 150 Hydraid® BioSand Water Filters for installation in 30 Tanzanian schools, tripling the size of GSP’s water relief program in Tanzania just six months after its launch. 

The installation of the filters is expected to positively impact more than 24,000 school-aged children in a region of sub-Saharan Africa that has been losing young lives to waterborne illness at an astonishing rate.  GSP’s latest shipment follows the November 2011 installation of an initial 30 Hydraid filters in 10 Tanzanian schools – units that have continued to provide potentially life-saving benefit to more than 8,000 children.

"Global Sustainable Partnerships’ pilot program to bring safe drinking water to Tanzania continues to be an enormous success," said GSP founder and president Kimberly Fogg.  "Our fundraising efforts to purchase and install filtration systems are paying off, and we're particularly grateful to the U.S. Navy's Project Handclasp, which is enabling the delivery to Tanzania at minimal cost."  Project Handclasp is a public/private logistics and humanitarian support initiative that enables the delivery of donations worldwide.

GSP’s safe water initiative involves the installation of Hydraid® filters provided by Triple Quest, a collaborative venture involving Grand Rapids-based manufacturer Cascade Engineering and The Windquest Group, a private investment fund also based in West Michigan.  The Hydraid filter is a simple, lightweight unit powered by gravity with no moving parts to replace.   Users can reduce biological contaminants by pouring surface or ground water through the filter to obtain water that is safe for drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene and sanitation.

GSP co-founder Mary Barth underscored the critical need for continued funding to support GSP's efforts in Tanzania.  "There are still more than 70,000 at-risk children in Tanzania alone," Barth said.  "Our school-based program can easily reach these children and their teachers, but further funding is needed to purchase more filters and get them where there are most needed.”

"Unsafe drinking water is a primary health issue throughout the developing world," added Fogg.  "The absence of such a basic resource goes well beyond health concerns; it is also a major contributor to poverty and a block to economic development."

About Global Sustainable Partnerships

Global Sustainable Partnerships, Inc. (GSP) was founded by Kimberly L. Fogg and Mary Barth, who is from Tanzania. GSP is a 501(c)(3) certified by the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST). The organization transfers knowledge and skills through training and education in the construction and maintenance of the Hydraid® BioSand Water Filter and the overall education of health, sanitation and hygiene practices for children in primary and secondary schools and their families in developing countries.

To view photos and video of the Hydraid® implementation in Tanzania, click on:

www.gspartnerships.org

Cascade Engineering

Cascade Engineering

Cascade Engineering is a manufacturer and marketer of multiple products and services supporting a variety of industries including renewable energy, automotive, commercial truck & bus, solid waste & recycling, material compounding, furniture, RFID, and material handling. The Cascade Engineering Family Of Companies is a global company with more than 1,200 employees and 14 business units.

Cascade's world-class engineering, technology and manufacturing allows it to provide leading-edge solutions, while maintaining a strong commitment to lean manufacturing and environmental stewardship. Cascade's business model is rooted in diversification and innovation and a commitment to creating sustainable products and services that contribute to the triple bottom line.

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