Program: UD's Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders

Speaker:  Dr. Steve Dentel, Advisor
                UD Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Professor

                Ramsey Hazbun, Grad Student
                Solar Panel Investigation and Electric Pump
             
Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB) is a non-profit, humanitarian organization of dedicated and enthusiastic students and professionals who share a vision of a world where everyone has access to adequate sanitation, safe drinking water and resources to meet their basic needs. Once identifying a problem, our chapter works closely with an international community and professional engineers to develop and implement a sustainable solution. Currently, we are focusing on a potable water supply project in Cameroon and we are also planning to construct a bridge in Guatemala. 

Some interesting points: 
The EWB at Delaware started in 2000 and has about 80 students at present. A UD student, the daughter of the mayor of the target village in Cameroon, on the western coast of Africa, suggested the first project.

Costs per trip vary between $20,000 to $40,000 per trip. Funds for trips come from fund raising events. Contributions are welcomed.

Several assessment trips are required prior to doing any work to see if project can continue after EWB leaves. Villages must have a large stake in the project. The Cameroon project took 2 assessment trips and 4 implementation trips. The project was to provide clean water.

Language is a problem. There are several languages spoken, but little English.

The main point of this presentation is that the projects are to provide resources essential to life in an area without modern technology. Critical elements to support the technology that is used are to insure that the village is devoted to maintenance and has a way to get supplies when needed.

Slide Presentation of this program (pdf).

Thanks to Mike Siwek for arranging this program.

More info at http://udel.edu/stu-org/ewb/index.html