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 (TWB) is a global, hybrid Social Enterprise whose mission is ‘‘Sustainable Development Through Inclusive Trade”. Specifically, TWB focuses on extending sustainable, inclusive and market-based supply chains for daily livelihood product needs to communities at the proverbial Base of the Pyramid (BoP). Its initial focus is in the Clean Energy sector. As such, TWB has compiled a comprehensive portfolio of appropriate, affordable and quality Clean Energy products, including Solar Lanterns, Solar Home Sets, Solar Cookers, Solar Outdoor Lighting, as well as low- power appliances that can more easily be powered by Clean and Renewable solar energy, such as DC Motor Fans, DC Compressor Refrigerators and, of course, a low-power, DC Mosquito Trap. We then work with local Clean Energy Enterprises to distribute as well as service the Clean Energy products, and collaborate with them to ensure product distribution is extended all the way to BoP communities. TWB was founded by a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer with over 15 years of commercial global trading experience. Reflecting its founder’s passion and interests, TWB aims, first and foremost, to create sustainable Social, Economic and Environmental Impact in developing regions of the world, and to do so in a financially sustainable manner.

Thank you:

Malcolm Knapp

Photo credits:

ghumakkar.org, justworldphoto.org, QC Paul Furniture