KANSAS CITY, MO, Aug. 13, 2008 -- The City of Kansas City, MO, has been selected as one of three U.S. cities with Sister City partners in Africa to participate in a pilot program to provide clean drinking water in Africa. The program is part of an initiative of Sister Cities International and Proctor & Gamble.
As part of the pilot program, the City will receive $9,500 to meet program objectives and develop a distribution network for 85,000 of Proctor & Gamble's Purifier of Water packets in schools, clinics, community centers and hospitals. Port Harcourt and Kansas City representatives will determine an in-country point of contact for distribution and coordinate with Population Services International on logistics of product delivery in-country.
"Getting clean water to remote areas in Africa is a worldwide concern, and it's a great honor for the City to be chosen to participate in this innovative pilot program," said City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen. "The staff from the City's International Affairs and Trade Office and volunteers from the community did a great job during the Sister Cities International Conference here in Kansas City a few weeks ago, and I think their efforts helped secure this distinction."
The funds also will be used for program materials needed to develop and tailor the program to the specific African Sister City. The City will match the grant with $7,000 worth of in-kind services.
Denver and its sister city, Axum, Ethiopia and Atlanta and its partner, Lagos Island, Nigeria, also will participate in the program.
The City will work with the Sister Cities Association of Kansas City on this project, as well as other projects throughout the year supporting the City's 13 sister cities. Port Harcourt and Kansas City formed their Sister City partnership in 1993.
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