A local invention is assisting communities across the Asia-Pacific and African regions to have clean hands and better health.
From his garage Stuart Mason created the Spatap, a device made from German-engineered silicone moulding, that attaches to water-filled plastic drink bottles to deliver water for hand washing or showering through a flow-controlled outlet.
It was really Stuart’s love of camping in the outdoors that first led him to create the Spatap before its multiple benefit was realised.
After launching it in the outdoor market the device was adopted by defence forces, medical teams and for humanitarian work.
“Eight years ago I designed and invented it. It took a couple of years to refine it. I was just working away in the garage,“ he said. Having worked for non-government organisations in the Asia-Pacific Stuart saw first-hand the lack of infrastructure in villages and schools.
“In PNG there were 2000 kids in a school and only one tap,“ he said. “Kids were getting chronic diarrhoea. There were lots of diseases. Now with Covid everyone is more than aware of the necessity of hand washing.“
Working with Rotary’s Hand Hygiene for Health (HHFH) project Stuart’s Spataps are being used to educate and empower children to wash their hands, reduce communicable diseases, improve hygiene habits and improve health.
Stuart said every class in a school can have their own Spatap with even a five-year-old child being capable of installing it.
Because of the water-saving effect of the devices a 1.5litre bottle of water with soap will provide 60 hand washes.
“They can fill up a water bottle, take it to the classroom and have hand washing all day,“ he said.
“I’ve been there in the field. I know what we’re doing is life changing.“
The Spataps are constructed by a manufacturer in Melbourne and cost US$10.
Stuart said the HHFH project had a waiting list of orders but needed funds to fill them.
To donate or find out more information visit handhygieneforhealth.org
