USAID Launches Innovative Handwashing Device at Investor Forum in Vietnam

On November 5, 2010, USAID’s WaterSHED program launched its new HappyTap household handwashing station at an investor forum in Ho Chi Minh City. The event, conducted by the Global Institute for Tomorrow, was attended by over 100 participants including USAID-VN, the Vietnam Plastics Association, Procter & Gamble, Colgate/Palmolive, Coca-Cola, Unilever, CARE, UNICEF, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, and the Vietnamese Women’s Union. Attendees listened to a business plan presented by the GIFT team for scaled-up manufacturing and marketing of the Happy Tap in Vietnam. The event was the product of a collaboration of stakeholders including WaterSHED, GIFT, the World Bank’s Water & Sanitation Program, International Development Enterprises, and the design firm, IDEO. The Happy Tap was created by Jeff Chapin of the design firm, IDEO. Chapin’s earlier low-cost latrine design, created for WaterSHED partner IDE, won an international award for design innovation from Fast Company magazine. WaterSHED is now leading discussions to secure funding to begin large-scale production and licensing of the Happy Tap.