Seattle-based companies partner to provide clean water and sanitation services
Press Release – Seattle, November 29, 2016 – Seattle-based companies MiiR and Splash have launched a partnership to continue the effort to bring critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) services to 100 percent of public schools in Kathmandu, Nepal by 2021, which will impact 175,000 of the poorest children in the city.
MiiR is the pioneer of the Product to Project™ movement where every product sold funds a trackable giving project. The company gives 5% of revenue to giving areas aligned with its product lines. Splash is a non-profit that aims to improve the health and development of children in dense, urban areas by ensuring they have clean water, clean hands and clean toilets. The two Seattle-based companies will fund the first batch of projects in this partnership immediately, which will benefit 1,200 kids at nine schools by January 1, 2017.
“Splash is an ideal partner to bring clean water to those without access. They have a proven model to deliver WaSH projects and they understand the power of using social enterprise as an engine for long-term project sustainability,” said Nick MacPhee, Chief Impact Officer at MiiR. “We are proud to support an organization so committed to providing kids with healthy learning environments.”
With 2.5 million people, Kathmandu Valley is the country’s single largest urban economy and is critical to Nepal’s economic growth. Current water services are inadequate and the poor often have little choice but to drink contaminated water. A citywide baseline survey of schools conducted before the devastating 2015 earthquake showed that the vast majority of non-Splash partner schools tested positive for E. coli and high presence of total coliform bacteria. Unclean water, particularly when coupled with unhygienic conditions and practices, is a fundamental threat to Nepali children’s health, education and opportunity. Splash’s goal is to reach all 650 public schools in urban Kathmandu, benefiting 175,000 children, by 2021.
“We’ve been impressed by MiiR’s innovative business approach and inspired by their strong commitment to social justice,” said Eric Stowe, founder and CEO of Splash. “Combine that with their fun and smart team, great products and design, and a solid track record supporting global organizations, and they quickly become an ideal partner for Splash. This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage each other’s work toward larger social gains.”
MiiR is one of the leading companies offering consumers the chance to help Splash reach one million children by supporting:
- 100% of public schools in Kathmandu, Kolkata, and Addis Ababa with full WaSH services by 2021;
- A five-year sustainability plan that transitions all projects to local ownership.
The MiiR Flagship store in Fremont (3400 Stone Way N) is now showcasing the partnership with a new, stunning visual display that draws consumers deeper into Splash’s projects on the ground. Splash’s original made-for-children WaSH products are making their first-ever public appearance at the MiiR Flagship store between now and the end of the year.
About Splash
Splash is an innovative, social enterprise dedicated to fighting waterborne illness for children globally. With its unique focus on kids living in urban poverty and collaborative partnerships with local schools, orphanages and hospitals, Splash solves critical problems with water, hygiene, and sanitation. Today Splash serves clean water daily to more than 300,000 kids across Asia and Africa – with a goal of 1,000,000 by 2020. www.splash.org
About MiiR
Founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Bryan Papé, MiiR is the pioneer of the Product to Project™ movement, a business model where every product sold funds trackable giving projects through the MiiR Give. MiiR designs and offers intuitively functional and sleek products including bicycles, bags and bottles. Its giving projects provide transportation, education and clean water to those lacking access in the U.S. and around the world. Each product sold comes with a Give Code™ that the customer may register to connect with a project and community ultimately empowered by the MiiR Give. To date, MiiR has funded more than 55 water projects and helped provide more than 4,500 bikes in 18 countries, including the US. The Seattle-based company is a certified B Corp and leader in the social enterprise movement. www.miir.com
