Engineers Without Borders is a group of students with an interest in improving the quality of life for people in developing countries by working with communities on sustainable engineering projects

Engineers Without Borders

English

University of Maine

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 12-2011 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.     Newsletter December 2011 Volume 1, Issue 2                           Page 1 Engineers Without Borders - University of Maine  Donors  Some of our corporate sponsors: • Albert Frick and Associates • Campus Crest • Drumlin Environmental • Maine Technical Source • Olver Associates • Woodard & Curran Foundation • Wright Pierce      Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects.    Since 2008, we have been working in Dulce Vivir, Honduras where people are often sick because of poor sanitation. We were asked to help provide some options to clean up the area.  Working with Maine professionals, we have designed a community septic system. Last March, we installed the sewer system and recently presented our septic tank and leach field designs to the EWB-USA Technical Advisory Committee to seek approval to travel back down to Honduras in February 2011.   We are pushing hard to raise the remaining funds and develop operations and maintenance plans for the system.  We are all very excited to finish the job so that our friends in Dulce Vivir can live in a safer environment! Update from the Project Lead – Rita Cooper  Meet Our Exec: Emily Kelsey  Emily Kelsey, a sophomore in civil and environmental engineering, is the newly elected President of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). She grew up in Portland, Maine where she swam competitively. She first came to Engineers Without Boarders as a freshman in 2010 after hearing about EWB during a college visit. Emily has been an active member ever since.  She served as Vice President for two semesters and also travelled to Honduras on the implementation team in March 2011. She truly believes in what EWB stands for and is especially committed to its mission of the sustainability. She feels particularly drawn to the idea of bringing sustainable solutions to the global challenges because this will allow for a healthy and happy future for the world as a whole.    Chapter and Fundraising Updates  Our big news on the fundraising front is that we have recently received two large contributions toward the project: a Woodard and Curran Foundation grant for $5000, and a donation from Campus Crest for $2500. These are tremendous boosts toward our $37,000 fundraising goals (we’re 73% of the way there!).   Children of Dulce Vivir. Taken in March, 2011 Rigoberto Alvarado, President of the Dulce Vivir Residents’ Association     New Executives!  Congratulations to our newly elected 2012 executives: • Emily Kelsey, President • Jess Murphy, Vice President • Derek Rothenheber, Treasurer • Gwen Beacham, Secretary • Monica Plante, Fundraising Chair • Nick Oberti – Membership Chair • Rita Cooper – Project Lead     Emily is interested in the way engineering can be used to solve global problems and is always interested in supplementing her education with real world experience.  Emily is an upbeat and motivated individual who is driving force in EWB-UMaine. 

Engineers Without Borders-USA, University of Maine Student Chapter Newsletter

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 3-2018 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. Volume 6 Issue 1 March 2018Ecuador Update  During Winter Break, EWB-UMaine sent four student members to El Descanso, our partner community in Ecuador since 2014, on a second implementation trip. The trip allowed EWB-UMaine to monitor the rainwater catchment system implemented in August and construct a shallow bedrock well. The rainwater catchment system is functioning as designed and the community has taken ownership of system, making improvements and repairs as needed. The travel team constructed, with the help of community volunteers, a well that improved upon two smaller test wells constructed in August, establishing the location as a feasible water source to supplement the community.  EWB-UMaine conducted multiple water committee meetings to understand community needs, and desire for a house-to-house distribution system. The chapter is now working on interpreting water quality and recharge results from the well, which will inform the design of a distribution system that will satisfy the community’s need for clean water, and their desire to have water piped directly to their homes year ‘round. Reviving Our Honduras ProjectFive years ago, EWB-UMaine completed a wastewater treatment system design and implementation with Dulce Vivir, Honduras. Due to significant civil unrest, the project was halted. In the past year, we have resumed communication with the community, and are assessing how to help with repairs and training despite continued unrest in the country.What is EWB USA? Engineers Without Borders  USA is a national, nonprofit organization. As a student chapter of EWB, we partner and work with communities in need, and design sustainable engineering projects. With community input and participation, we implement our designs, and improve the lives of the people in the community. Supporters Our projects would not be possible without the generous donations from these organizations. Donate Love what we do and want to be a part of it? Click the link to donate and support our ongoing projects! support.ewb-usa.org/umaine From left to right; translator Israel Ramirez, and UMaine Engineering students Casey Schatzabel, Meagan McKeon, Peter Larson, & Ethan Hall

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 12-2014 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. Newsletter December, 2014 Volume 3, Issue 1 Dulce Vivir, Honduras Update  In March 2013, EWB-UMaine returned to Dulce Vivir de Copán for what became (for now) our final visit. On this trip, a shed was con-structed to house a tank, trailer and equipment needed to maintain the community septic system we designed and built with the com-munity. The operations and maintenance community team was trained, and health and water quality data were collected. Overall, the system has had a very positive impact on sanitation and the community is happy with the system. We have not officially closed this project but are unable to return to the community due to security concerns in Honduras. We continue to stay up-to-date on the condi-tion of the project through regular phone contact and we hear that the system is working well.   Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteer-ism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and commu-nity-driven engineering. Donors Some of our corporate and indi-vidual ($500+) sponsors: Newman’s Own Foundation, Albert Frick and Associates, Campus Crest, Drumlin Environmental, Maine Technical Source, Olver Associates, Woodard & Curran Foundation, Wright Pierce, Cianbro, Bushmaster Firearms, Inc, University of Maine depart-ments of Civil Engineering and-Molecular and Biomedical Sci-ences, University of Maine Stu-dent Government EWB-UMaine Executives President: Laura Donovan Vice President: Ellie French Secretary: Jonathan Roy Treasurer: Maggie Bouchard Project Leads: Nicholas Oberti and Logan Good Fundraising: Nathan Roscoe Publicity: Samuel Kane Membership: Sierra Kuun 2014 Assessment Trip  In August 2014, EWB-UMaine went on its first assessment trip to La Y de la Laguna, Ecuador.  La Y is a rural farming community of about 300 peo-ple and lacks water during a five month dry season. The travel team, which in-cluded six students and two mentors, met with community members and as-sessed water accessibility and cleanli-ness.   We plan to return to La Y in the spring or summer of 2015.    Page 1  Engineers Without Borders - University of Maine http://www.umaine.edu/ewb/ Hello EWB Friends and Supporters,  Thank you for your continued interest in the University of Maine chapter of Engineers Without Borders.  As some of you may know, we completed our project in Dulce Vivir, Honduras in March of 2013 .  Last fall we began the exciting process of exploring a possible new program in the village of La Y de la Laguna, Ecuador. La Y is distinctly different from Dulce Vivir and will present a new set of technical and social challenges for our chapter to learn from.  Fortunately, we have an en-thusiastic group of members and mentors working together as we move forward in our relationship with  La Y.  Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and re-familiarize yourself with EWB-UMaine as we begin this new and engaging endeavor. Sincerely,  Laura Donovan President, EWB-UMaine Photos below from left to right:  Biological Engineer student Spencer Traxler in a classroom in Ecuador, a view of La Y de la Laguna, and 2014 Chapter photo of EWB-UMaine  

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 8-2015 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. Newsletter August, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1 Page 1  OF 1 Engineers Without Borders— The University of Maine Orono ewb.umainechapter@gmail.com http://www.umaine.edu/ewb/ New Project in El Descanso, Ecuador  Through our Ecuadoran project partner Monica Gonzalez , Director of the Foun-dation for the Conservation of the Tropical Andes (FCAT), we have begun collaborating with the community of El Descanso, Ecuador. They appear very motivated to work with us on a number of issues facing their community, with the availability of clean drinking water as top priority. El Descanso is a community of about 35 homes and 120 people, but the program  will also benefit two neighboring communities. Community leaders have submitted their EWB program application and it is pending approval. EWB-UMaine’s application to adopt this program is also currently pending approval. Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to fos-ter a worldwide cultural aware-ness and a strong sense of vol-unteerism in today’s future lead-ers through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects. EWB-UMaine Leadership President:  Jonathan Roy Vice President:  Ellie French  Secretary:  Spencer  Traxler  Treasurer:  Grace Clement  Project Leads:  Justin Bearce Fundraising:  Jesse Shank Publicity:  Nat Midura Membership:  Andrew Purgiel Advisor:  Jean MacRae Mentor:  Rober t Sypitkowski Mentor:  Edwin Nagy Mentor:  Kyle Coolidge Mentor: Karen Merr itt Visit our website at:  http://umaine.edu/ewb/donate/ Fundraising to Travel Travel costs for the assessment trip will include flights to Quito, Ecuador (estimated at $1000/person), in-country travel, food, shelter, medical supplies, a translator, a satellite phone, water testing supplies, surveying equip-ment, and any supplies needed for small scale demos or projects. With a goal of sending three or four students and two mentors, the estimated cost of our first assessment to El Descanso is over $8000. This is where we need your help. Your  char ita-ble contributions will not only be helping a hard-working community in need, but you will also be providing our members with the opportunity to expand their world view and develop their cultural understanding. They will build character, work ethic, professional experience, and an on-going commitment to something greater than themselves. Professional Mentors Upon program approval our next step is to plan our first assessment trip. We are consulting with the communi-ty to determine when it will be most convenient to visit to discuss options, explore potential water sources and learn about the community’s needs and wishes. We expect to send a small assessment team (5-6 members including at least one mentor) in early January or March of 2016. Planning the  Assessment Trip EWB-UMaine Fundraising Gala EWB-UMaine will be hosting our first formal fundraising gala dinner this November. We will be sending out invitations soon with more information about the event. If you, or someone you know, is interested in donating or attending our dinner, please email us and pro-vide us with a contact information including email and mailing address. Where do I go to Donate? We currently have three assigned mentors. Our Professional Engineer-in-charge is Robert Sypitkowski, an environmental engineer who has served as mentor on a number of EWB-USA projects, including our first project in Honduras. Professor Edwin Nagy, a civil engineer and former Peace Corps volunteer will aid in infrastructure de-sign and construction planning. Kyle Coolidge, a dual civil and chemical engineer will focus on the water treatment aspects of the design. All three have been EWB-UMaine mentors in the past and have traveled on previous trips. Please contact us if you would like to our team! 

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 5-2013 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.     Newsletter May, 2013 Volume 2, Issue 2  -                            Page 1 Engineers Without Borders - University of MaineDonors Some of our corporate and individual ($500+) sponsors: Newman’s Own Foundation, Albert Frick and Associates, Campus Crest, Drumlin Environmental, Maine Technical Source, Olver Associates, Woodard & Curran Foundation, Wright Pierce, Cianbro, Bushmaster Firearms, Inc, University of Maine departments of Civil Engineering and Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine Student Government Dana Humphrey, Whitney Chamberlain, Jean MacRae, Eric Landis, Dolloff Family, Hamilton Marine  Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects. Update on the Project  Meet some Community Members of Dulce Vivir  EWB-UMaine Executives President: Gwen Beacham Vice President: Laura Donovan Secretary: Ellie French Treasurer: Derek Rothenheber and Maggie Bouchard Membership Coordinator: Tim Heno Project Lead: Nicholas Oberti and Logan Good Logistics: Ben Pomeroy Fundraising: Henry Gibson  Wilson Armando Ortez is part of the Operations and Maintenance team for the septic system. He is smart, hard-working and very good with his hands. Unlike many young men his age (24), he doesn’t go out at night, but prefers to try to improve his life and living space. For example, he designed and built both the plumbing and electrical systems for his house.  He was born in Dulce Nombre but prefers the quality of life in Dulce Vivir, which he finds calm and peaceful.    Jose Marvel is 9 years old.  He was born in Dulce Vivir and has lived there his whole life.  He likes food, going to school, playing with his friends, and eating watermelon.   Marvel also says that he enjoys doing chores for his mother and likes to play ball, hide and seek, and sing.  He likes to help his father, and when he grows up he wants to be a mason, just like his dad.  He is also very good at making animal noises!    The community of Dulce Vivir ABOVE: The EWB-UMaine travel team with Dulce Vivir community members in front of the shed.   LEFT: Digging an upstream swale. Natividad Ortega, known as Tiva, is married to Rigoberto Alvarado, the President of Dulce Vivir. She was born in Santa Rosa and grew up in Dulce Nombre.  She likes to work around the house, and contributes to the family income by cutting coffee and making cigars to sell in Tegucigalpa, Chuluteca, and Danli - where the family comes from originally.  Tiva acts as the “collective mom” for Dulce Vivir. While we were there, her house was always open for us and she often brought watermelon for the workers, or even a shirt to protect us from the sun. (RIGHT: Tiva and her Grandson, Luis) In March 2013, EWB-UMaine travelled to Dulce Vivir de Copan, Honduras to ensure smooth operation of the wastewater treatment system we built there over the past two years. A 10-foot by 14-foot shed was constructed to house a tank mounted on a trailer, which was used to empty the septic tanks and transport the waste  to a  nearby field for safe land application.  Several swales were constructed and improvements were made to the curtain drains to divert storm water around the treatment system.   Extensive work was done with the operations and maintenance team in the community to clean the septic tank filters, pump the septic tanks and modify the operations and maintenance manual to suit their needs.  Lastly, three more vents were added to the collection system for improved ventilation.  Along with the construction aspects of the project, EWB-UMaine gathered health data and interviewed each community member about his/her satisfaction with the septic system. Residents were generally happy with the system, although there were some problems with odor at the houses nearest the treatment area. We think these issues have now been addressed with the vents and improved drainage. We also tested water for fecal bacteria to assess the state of sanitation in the area. Water samples were from household taps and pilas (water storage barrels) in the community, the stream that runs along the septic system, and a spring from which many community members get their drinking water. We found that the tap water was more contaminated than the spring water, and that storing the water could decrease the coliform counts, especially if the water is exposed to sunlight, or increase contamination if it is not carefully handled. We also confirmed that the treatment system does not increase contamination of the adjacent stream.   The trip was as fun as it was productive.  On Sunday (a typical day off for workers in Dulce Vivir) we took the day to visit the Copan Ruins. We also greatly enjoyed working with the community members and visiting with the kids. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we accomplished much for the community of Dulce Vivir.  EWB-UMaine has greatly enjoyed our work with Dulce Vivir. However we are sad to say that this likely will have been our final trip to the area due to rising safety concerns about travelling to Honduras.  We are confident that the community will maintain the system well and we will stay in contact with them.  Currently the chapter is in the process of finding a new location for our next project, and we are excited about what the future holds!   

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 7-2011 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.                                     Meet Our Mentor: Brendan McGuirl Brendan McGuirl first joined EWB-UMaine in 2008 as astudent member while working on his degree inConstruction Management Technology and has continuedto work with the group as a mentor since his graduation inDecember 2010.  Brendan has travelled to Dulce Vivir three times and bringscontinuity and a wealth of experience to the project. Hehas worked for 15 years doing site work and buildingconstruction, and is currently a project manager withNickerson & O’Day. His resourcefulness has saved the daymore than once in Honduras when things didn’t go quite asplanned!  Since EWB-UM’s founding in 2007, hundreds of students and mentors alike havecontributed countless hours to alleviate the problems associated with overflowinglatrines in Dulce Vivir de Copan, Honduras.  We are proud to say that theimplementation is finally under way!  Over Spring break, five students and three mentorstraveled to Honduras to begin the construction of the EWB-UMaine-designed septicsystem for this impoverished community. The final phase of the construction will takeplace in March 2012, so we are finalizing the system construction plan and raising therest of the money needed to pay for this project. Address from the President Page 1 EWB-UM students and mentors with Dulce Vivir community members on the assessment trip taken in August 2010. Engineers Without Borders - University of MaineLuis, son of the President of Dulce Vivir, playing with a measuring tape. Donors Some of our corporate sponsors:  Albert Frick and Associates  Drumlin Environmental  Maine Technical Source  Olver Associates  Woodard & Curran  Wright Pierce   Brendan initially got involved just to do something different, but when he met the peoplehe felt connected and wanted to help. He says: “It’s a good country. People don’t havemuch, but they scramble, and work hard, and come up with creative ways of gettingthrough life.” As a mentor, he also helps students gain a better understanding of themany skills they will need to be effective engineers. Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects.  Student Executives  •President: Dan Gerges •Vice President: Emily Kelsey •Secretary: Jen Wilson •Treasurer: Mary Beth McDonnell •Membership Coordinator: Josh Hallett •Project Lead: Rita Cooper •Web Masters: Ryan Boisclair & Nate Reimensnyder  We want to send our sincere thanks to all of those, both corporate andpersonal, who have donated to this cause.  In addition to improving thiscommunity’s quality of life, your contributions are providing studentswith the opportunity to learn and apply their education in a verypowerful and meaningful way. We also hope you enjoy reading our firstnewsletter and project update.   Thanks again for your support, Dan Gerges, EWB-UMaine President Newsletter July, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1 

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 2-2013 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.     Newsletter February, 2013 Volume 2, Issue 1                               Page 1 Engineers Without Borders - University of Maine  Donors Some of our corporate and individual ($500+) sponsors: Newman’s Own Foundation, Albert Frick and Associates, Campus Crest, Drumlin Environmental, Maine Technical Source, Olver Associates, Woodard & Curran Foundation, Wright Pierce, Cianbro, Bushmaster Firearms, Inc, University of Maine departments of Civil Engineering, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and the College of Engineering, University of Maine Student Government, Dana Humphrey, Whitney Chamberlain, Jean MacRae, Eric Landis, Dolloff Family      Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects.   Newsletter July, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1  Update on the Project ~By Alex Chasse and Gwen Beacham  Meet Our Project Lead: Whitney Chamberlain By Patrick Mckeown and Chris Marchetti  EWB Northeast Regional Conference  ~By Whitney Chamberlain  The 2012 Northeast Regional Conference was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from November 16th to the 18th. There were five students who traveled to the conference to represent the Engineers Without Borders at the University of Maine (EWB-UMaine). The students were: Derek Rothenheber, Emily Kelsey, Katrina Lessard, Tim Heno, and Whitney Chamberlain. The conference was a fantastic time for students to learn from other EWB organizations throughout the Northeast and to hear professionals give speeches about their experiences within the organization. There are many "breakout" sessions led by EWB student groups, mentors, and conference leaders who have important information to share with other EWB members. Examples of some of the presentations at the 2012 conference were: best practices for sustainable projects, crisis management, quality assurance and quality control of projects, chapter sustainability, and chapter recruitment. The EWB-UMaine students felt honored to be one of the groups chosen to present during a breakout session at the conference. As a group we gave a presentation about our project in Dulce Vivir, Honduras and highlighted our successes as well as our hardships. We gave advice to others such as what we would've done differently, the lack of time we experienced on each trip to Honduras, the difficulty of the language barrier, and the complications we experienced from the lack of NGOs in Honduras. The Northeast Regional Conference is a time for EWB chapters to learn valuable tips and advice from others with experience, and to network with professional mentors. The 2012 conference was a success, and next year we hope to have even more students attend from EWB-UMaine! EWB-UMaine Executives President: Emily Kelsey Vice President: Jessica Murphy Secretary: Gwen Beacham Treasurer: Derek Rothenheber Membership Coordinator: Tim Heno Project Lead: Whitney Chamberlain, Nicholas Oberti,  Logistics: Ben Pomeroy Fundraising: Henry Gibson    Beginning in 2008, University of Maine’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-UMaine) has been working on a project in Dulce Vivir, Honduras. Dulce Vivir is a community of 120 people who have struggled with poor sanitation due to heavy flooding during the rainy season and overflowing of latrines. EWB-UMaine student members, in conjunction with professional engineer mentors and members of the Dulce Vivir community, have designed a community septic system to improve the sanitation and overall quality of life for the residents of Dulce Vivir. Last spring, five EWB-UMaine student members and three mentors traveled to Dulce Vivir for the final implementation of the new sanitation system. This spring, EWB-UMaine members and mentors will travel to Dulce Vivir to complete the final details of the system. The plan for this trip involves the use of both a shed to house the pumping equipment and a trailer to be used for hauling sludge from the septic tanks to the land application site. EWB-UMaine also plans to survey the area, perform water and soil testing, and gather health data. EWB-UMaine is currently completing the Operations and Maintenance manual (in both English and Spanish) and plans to work with the community on operations and maintenance of the sanitation project.   Whitney Chamberlain, a senior civil engineering major, has been an active member of EWB from the time she was a freshman. She worked on the fundraising team writing grants before she joined the design team. As a design team member, Whitney worked on the hydraulic profile of the community and also wrote the health and safety plan for the March 2012 trip to Honduras. Whitney is now the co-project lead where she has a great responsibility managing our project. Whitney travelled to Honduras in March 2012 where she worked alongside the members of Dulce Vivir. Seeing the community’s devotion to the project and gratitude that EWB-UMaine was helping them have a better life was one of Whitney’s most rewarding experiences since joining the group.   Whitney plans to continue her involvement with EWB after she graduates, and she hopes to become a mentor for a university EWB group. Whitney hopes to help people realize how much EWB can actually do for others   Whitney Chamberlain with Louis, a boy from Dulce Vivir, Honduras on the March 2012 trip. 

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 2-2016 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. February 2016 Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 2 Mission Statement University of Maine Engi-neers Without Borders (EWB-UM) strives to foster a worldwide cultural aware-ness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s fu-ture leaders through sustain-able and community-driven engineering projects. Page 1 of 1 Engineers Without Borders — University of Maine Chapter (EWB-UM) ewb.umainechapter@gmail.com http://www.umaine.edu/ewb/ President Jonathan Roy Senior Mech. Eng. Tech. Vice President Eleanora French Senior Microbiology Major Secretary Justin Baron Sophomore Mech. Eng. Tech. Treasurer Grace Clement Senior Civil Engineering Design Team Lead Justin Bearce Sophomore  Elec/Mech Eng. Tech. Co-Design Team Lead Matthew Southard Senior Civil Engineer Fundraising Lead Jesse Shank Senior Electrical Eng. Tech. Membership Lead Andrew Purgiel Junior Chem. Engineering Publicity Lead Natalie Midura Sophomore Civil Engineering Faculty Advisor Jean MacRae Professor Environmental  Eng.  We have recently received official program approval to work with the com-munity of El Descanso, a community of about 100 people in Ecuador. These peo-ple are in dire need of a clean and reliable water source. Their current water source is located about 1.5 miles away and downhill from the village, which forces member to carry their water by foot and mule uphill on a daily basis. A new water distribution system would leave more time for community members to pursue edu-cation and work opportunities and ultimately reduce water related illnesses. Our chapter has received technical approval for an initial assessment trip in May, and we are currently finalizing out trip plans and travel logistics. Matthew Southard:  Matt will be our Project Lead. He will also be the team surveyor and will be evaluating the local water sources and soil quality. Eleanora French:  Ellie will be the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) Lead. She will be conducting house-to-house surveys to evalu-ate the community’s state of health, infrastructure and poverty level. Nat Midura:  Nat will be the Primary Health and Safety Officer. She will also be conducting the water quality testing for all local water sources. Maeve Carlson:  Maeve will be the Trip Historian. She will also be working with Ellie to communicate with the community members and map the village. Robert Sypitkowski:  Robert is a Senior Environmental Engineer and the Professional Engineer in Charge (PEIC) for this project. Karen Merritt:  Karen is an Environmental Engineer and was a mentor for us in Honduras. She will be traveling as a design engineer and team translator.  Our Fundraising Team is aggressively working to expand our network and coffers. Through grants, personal donations, bottle drives, and the University of Maine, we hope to finish raising the about $14,000 needed to cover our Assess-ment Trip costs. We are always looking to expand our network and opportunities, so if you or your organization would like to hear more, please contact us. We would be delighted to arrange for a meeting and presentation for you.  http://umaine.edu/ewb/donate/ New Program Acceptance in El Descanso, Ecuador Meet our Travel Team Our Fundraising Efforts Where do I go to Donate? https://www.facebook.com/UMaineEWB/ Like us on Facebook! 

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications 2-2017 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.  FEBRUARY 2017                                                                                                        VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1  Ewb.umainechapter@gmail.com        ʘ        http://umaine.edu/ewb         ʘ        Engineers Without Boarders-University of Maine Chapter                President: Parker Midura Vice President: Andrew Purgiel Treasurer: Robbie Mills Secretary: Justin Baron PMEL Lead: Maeve Carlson Fundraising lead: Ethan Hall Design Lead: Banton Heithoff Design Co-Lead: Jack Pacent Membership Lead: Tara Mullen Publicity Lead: Derek Dubois Publicity Co-Lead: Samantha Anderson Advisor: Jean MacRae Mentor: Robert Sypitkowski   EWB UMAINE Executives Our Ecuador Project EWB UMaine’s current project is in El Descanso, Ecuador, a community of 35 households that does not have access to a clean, reliable water source, especially during their dry season. We are trying to develop a water supply system to give the community water year-round. Our project will ensure that the water provided is clean, while educating the community on the importance of contaminant-free water. Through the success of this project, we intend to improve the health, time availability, and economic situation of El Descanso citizens.  January Trip to El Descanso Over winter break, Civil Engineering majors, Parker Midura, Maeve Carlson, Jack Pacent, and Samantha Anderson along with Mentor Robert Sypitkowski (as pictured above) tra- veled to El Descanso to determine if a single or multiple sources in the area,  could supply the water for the com- munity. The team gathered data on  all potential water sources, pumping  requirements and rainwater catch- ment. In addition to strengthening their part- nership with El Descanso, the travel team left  with a changed world view and a passion to build a better one.   

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine General University of Maine Publications University of Maine Publications Spring 2012 Engineers Without Borders Newsletter Engineers Without Borders Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/univ_publications  Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the History Commons This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in General University of Maine Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu.     Newsletter Spring 2012 Volume 1, Issue 3                          Since EWB-UMaine started working with the community of Dulce Vivir in 2008, Rigoberto Alvarado has been right by our side.  Rigoberto is the President of the Dulce Vivir Residents’ Association and has been a leader in that group since the community’s inception in 2005.  He lives with his wife, Natividad (nicknamed Tiva), and two grandchildren, Luis and Roswel.  Rigoberto was instrumental in the completion of the newly implemented septic system.  He has been the connection between EWB-UMaine and the community, local hardware stores and material suppliers.  After finishing the project, he was asked how he feels about EWB-UMaine coming down to help his community.  His response was that, “it is a great relief because we couldn’t have waited any longer with our latrine problem.  We feel good about the project.  All of the connections are set and everything is running excellently.”     Engineers Without Borders-UMaine is proud and excited to share news of our successes over the past year. Firstly, the final implementation of our sanitation project in Dulce Vivir, Honduras was completed in March after more than four years of planning and work! Fundraising was key to completing our project and the chapter worked hard to raise the money needed for construction materials and travel. We started to see our hard work pay off last October when we received a $5000 dollar grant from the Woodard and Curran Foundation. With this boost in confidence we continued to fundraise until the beginning of March when we were thrilled to find out we won first place in the Newman’s Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge! We were awarded $25,000 and couldn’t contain our excitement. We had hit crunch time and prior to hearing about the award we were fearful that we wouldn’t be able to complete construction of the project during the implementation trip. Then, we were surprised with yet another honor.  EWB-USA selected our project for the Premier Project Award, which was announced at the international EWB conference in Las Vegas in March. Four of our members traveled across the country to receive the award and celebrate our success. For years the members of EWB-UMaine have dedicated their time, energy, and money to this project. We are very proud of it and the amount of heart that has been put into it. Receiving recognition and honor for this work has been wonderful and we hope everyone who has been involved in any way will share our excitement.  BY JESSICA MURPHY  Page 1 Engineers Without Borders - University of Maine  Donors Some of our corporate sponsors: • Newman’s Own Foundation • Woodard & Curran Foundation • Campus Crest • Drumlin Environmental • Olver Associates • Wright Pierce • Albert Frick and Associations      Mission Statement University of Maine Engineers Without Borders strives to foster a worldwide cultural awareness and a strong sense of volunteerism in today’s future leaders through sustainable and community-driven engineering projects.   Newsletter July, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1  Meet a Community Member: Rigoberto Alvarado Chapter, Fundraising, and Awards Updates   EWB-UMaine Executives President: Emily Kelsey Vice President: Jessica Murphy Project Lead: Derek Rothenheber Dulce Vivir Project Lead: Whitney Chamberlain, Nicholas Oberti Logistics: Benjamin Pomeroy Secretary: Gwendolyn Beacham Fundraising: Richard Qualey Membership Coordinator: Ruth Castillo Publicity: Christopher Marchetti www.umaine.edu/ewb/ *Special thanks to graduating seniors Daniel Gerges and Rita Cooper!    Daniel Gerges gluing pipe together during the recent trip to Dulce Vivir. Ruth, Rita, Dan, Joanna and four fabulous kids from Dulce Vivir One of the most important parts of implementing a system in a developing nation is that the community feels a sense of ownership and responsibility for the project.  Along with this, it is crucial that the community’s dynamics don’t change for the worse.  When Rigoberto was asked how he thinks the project will affect community dynamics, he responded by saying, “I don’t think it will affect us in any negative way.  There will be a positive impact because the help that EWB-UMaine has given us raised our quality of living.  Without the project, we would continue to live in inadequate and harmful sanitary conditions, having our latrines collapsing and being faced with hazards and disease every day.”  Rigoberto was also asked how this project will change the lifestyles of the people in the community.  Since the project was so recently completed, he said that this was hard to assess, but that, “it will lead us to a healthier future.” BY DANIEL GERGES AND RUTH CASTILLO 

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1377&amp;context=univ_publications

Engineers Without Borders-USA, University of Maine Student Chapter Newsletter

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine

University of Maine