Project Description:

Nearly one million people die from malaria each year and 3.3 billion live in areas where malaria is a constant threat. In addition to crippling health, malaria also accounts for billions of dollars in productivity loss, often for some of the poorest people in the world.  A number of studies have proven the efficacy of bed nets and mosquito traps in reducing the number of cases of malaria, but in communities without power, mosquito traps can be expensive to operate on a 24/7 basis.

Working with Trade Without Borders (TWB) in Hong Kong, Catapult specified and tested a solar panel system that will replace grid supplied power to a commercial mosquito trap procured by TWB.  This mosquito trap system, placed in strategic community locations such as a school or hospital, is both affordable and beneficial to a wider range of community members. The retrofitted mosquito traps will launch in select Southeast Asian countries and India before expanding to the global market.

Client: Trade Without Borders, China

Trade Without Borders is a 501(c)3 company enabling streamlined, accountable and traceable product procurement by Microentrepreneurs and NGOs. In doing so, they also provide additional distribution channels for local manufacturers.  Founded by a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer with 12 years of commercial international trading experience, TWB has a uniquely fundamental appreciation of the challenges in developing regions of the world, along with a comprehensive understanding of international trade.  A commercial establishment, such as a retailer, needs to procure the best quality supplies at the most competitive price, and needs the goods delivered in a timely manner.  While the mission of an NGO is distinct from that of a commercial establishment, its procurement needs are in many ways similar.  TWB, therefore, seeks to implement best practices in commercial international trade  — from factory and product qualification to efficient order processing and delivery — within the NGO procurement arena.

Thank you:

Malcolm Knapp

Photo credits:

ghumakkar.org, justworldphoto.org, QC Paul Furniture