Operating Plans
We anticipate that the testing of water will be a service valued by communities in developing countries. In this respect we anticipate selling bulk quantities of the microfluidic testing devices on a cost recovery basis to local entrepreneurs from developing countries. We anticipate local entrepreneurs will be able to yield a fair profit from water testing.
The local entrepreneurs can provide weekly water testing services to their local community in exchange for a small profit. Water testing will be provided by dipping one of our microfluidic testing devices in the local drinking water supply. The entrepreneur will then photograph the microfluidic testing device using a camera phone. The picture will then be sent via text message to a device called an SMS Gateway. The SMS Gateway will automatically upload the picture message to our computer through the internet. Our computer can then analyse the result and reply with advice as to the quality of the water. The local entrepreneur can charge a fee for the service.
The local entrepreneurs can provide weekly water testing services to their local community in exchange for a small profit. Water testing will be provided by dipping one of our microfluidic testing devices in the local drinking water supply. The entrepreneur will then photograph the microfluidic testing device using a camera phone. The picture will then be sent via text message to a device called an SMS Gateway. The SMS Gateway will automatically upload the picture message to our computer through the internet. Our computer can then analyse the result and reply with advice as to the quality of the water. The local entrepreneur can charge a fee for the service.
Process for local entrepreneurs, our resellers.
Community members can pool funds to pay for this service. Current water testing methods in developing countries typically involve drinking water and seeing if people get sick or worse die, so we see significant value provided by this service. If necessary we will partner with a microfinance company to issue loans to get the entrepreneurs started. The intention is that once started the model will be self funding. We do not intend for this service to be a person’s sole form of income. Rather we see it as a supplementary income. This will be similar to how people who cannot afford their own phone pay to borrow a phone from someone who is wealthy enough to afford a phone. This is typically only one or two people per village. In our target community people would live on $2 or less per day.
If the market system proves ineffective or simply too difficult to deal with we will go directly to local governments, and non-government aid organisations.[1] We would prefer to encourage a market economy but will work with existing aid contacts throughout the development process as they will provide useful input and provide a necessary contingency plan.
[1] As Safety Thirst will be operating in developing countries it is conceivable that we could encounter problems with people giving fraudulent advice. In this case employing local governments or trusted organisation would overcome this problem.
