Mercy Ships Provides Guidance for New Leaf Africa's Project Blue Designed to Bring Clean Water to 2.5M in the Republic of Guinea

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New Leaf Africa (NLA) (www.NewLeafAfrica), leading provider of preservation, restoration, renewable energy and population health initiatives to least developed countries, has united with Mercy Ships to bring clean water and medical assistance to those less fortunate.

Mercy Ships is an international medical charity providing free surgical and health care to some of the most underprivileged people, aiding those in 54 developing countries. Mercy Ships began more than 30 years ago, and has now risen to deploy the world's largest, private hospital ship, Africa Mercy. The ship houses up to 78 patients and up to 484 medical professionals who volunteer their services. Mercy Ships is funded solely through private donations.

"Mercy Ships understands how to reach populations in need in Western Africa. Their guidance has been extremely valuable in the development of New Leaf Africa's project to distribute water filters to over 500,000 households, reaching over 2.5 million people, so that we can eliminate the need to burn wood and also reduce carbon footprint," states Michael Lewis-Keister, one of the founding members of New Leaf Africa.

At this moment, according to the U.S. Global Health Policy, 100% of the U.S. has access to clean water, whereas only 56% of Guineans have access. Even more shocking is the fact that 100% of Americans have access to improved sanitation compared to a staggering 20% of Guineans. With Mercy Ship's guidance, NLA will be able to take a leap in their water purification initiative.

"Mercy Ships brings hope, healing and transforms lives every day in West Africa and places around the world," added Lewis-Keister.

For more information and to get started on a project, visit www.NewLeafAfrica.com and sign up for NLA's e-newsletter on the "Join Us" page. Follow @NewLeafAfrica and www.Facebook.com/NewLeafAfrica for real-time updates.

About New Leaf Africa

With offices in Washington, DC, London and Conakry, Guinea, New Leaf Africa is a team of leaders in technology, population health and renewable energy with a mission of bringing social and economic sustainability to developing countries in the African continent. They identify, quantify, and qualify projects that produce value in the form of carbon credits that can be invested in health and education. NLA believes a sustainable future is a balance of ecological integrity, economic opportunity and human well-being.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, with more than 2.35 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information, visit www.mercyships.org.

Media Contact: Cristy Villarreal, Press Office, New Leaf Africa, 202-618-4885, Email

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SOURCE New Leaf Africa