Building a Better World, One Community at a Time.
Current Project: Santa Teresita, Ecuador
Ecuador is a country in western South America that borders the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, for which the country is named after. Ecuador has a wide range of natural formations and climates, ranging from the desert-like southern coast to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes mountain range and all the way to the plains of the Amazon Basin. Engineers Without Borders current project is located in the southern part of Ecuador in a rural village called Santa Teresita. There we are designing and implenting a water distribution system that runs from a natural flowing stream all the way down to a well at the village. This will allow the villagers to have easy access to water which they can drink, cook with, and do many other every day activities that so many people take for granted.
Above Image: members of the community of Santa Teresita and our chapter members from our most recent trip. Right Image: a layout of the water distribution system. |
Past Project: Zambia, Africa
Our clean water project is based in the Simwatachela region of the southern province of Zambia, Africa. This is a rural region separated from many of the vital resources listed by the UN as poverty indicators, such as information, health, sanitation, education, and most importantly, clean water. Nearly 80% of people who live in rural regions suffer from at least two instances of severe deprivation, mostly relating to clean water access. Through our work with a local NGO, Simwatachela Sustainable Arts and Agriculture Program (SSAAP), and several native contacts, we have been able to create a network of NINE self-sustaining wells in coordination with several deserving communities to reach nearly 3000 people with clean water. This project impacts far beyond water, though. Clean water brings in more foreign and governmental aid in the form of education and medicinal clinics, benefits local agriculture, and empowers the people with hope for future generations. To ensure continued functionality, communities are required to implement sanitary practices and maintenance plans. In our final year of the project, we will return to monitor their progress and well status. At this point, it is time to begin planning for a new project that will hopefully create as deep of an impact as this one. Of course, that requires support from our dedicated members and donors who are building a better world, one community at a time. To read in more detail about our project progress, please follow the link to our Resources page.
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Zambia, Africa is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It has a population of nearly 17 million estimated citizens, nearly half of which reside in urban areas, such as Lusaka and Livingstone. Zambia is a beautiful country sharing borders with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, DRC, and Angola. At the southern tip, the mighty Zambezi roars into the world wonder, Victoria Falls, along the border with Zimbabwe. Many nature reserves are also present at the junction between Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where a number of native hippos, giraffes, lions, and other distinctly African animals may be found grazing in their habitat. In addition to these amazing natural wonders, Zambia has never been subject to an external war and maintains a relatively stable economy relative to its neighbors.
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Local Projects/Events:
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Back at home, we are working to clean and maintain the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refugee among other projects in the local area. Recently, we expanded to help with relief efforts in Hattiesburg, aid in constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering at various engineering outreach events to high school and middle school students. While there may be many great projects around the world, there is still plenty of work to be done here in our home to create a better working society.
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