The Process

You might read on here all about the trips, projects, outreach and other phenomenal things we do throughout the world. That is all notable and we would not succeed without that outward image - I mean, pursuing these projects is the entire reason we exist. But, unless you talk to the members, it is difficult to comprehend what we, as individuals, contribute to each of these projects.

If you didn't already know, EWB-UC is a chapter of a national organization (EWB-USA). Being students, EWB- USA recognizes that we do not have the technical know-how or skills to design and manage project installations independently. They put in place systems to ensure that what is installed will not fall apart, stop working, or fail from any fault in the design.

The process begins at the community level, wherever in the world it may be. The community submits an application to EWB-USA in order to be adopted by a chapter. There are certain criteria for the community's application to be accepted, as well as the chapter’s proposal to adopt the project. If EWB-USA feels for any reason that the partnership would fail, they wouldn't approve it.

After the relationship is established, the chapter arranges a trip to the community. This assessment trip is used to acquire vital knowledge about the community. Based on the community’s application, the group should know what the community identifies as its needs. While there, the travel team collects data, conducts surveys, and talks with community leaders, making sure they understand the process themselves. This may require several trips or only one, depending on the project. Once this is completed, the chapter writes an analysis of at least four alternatives.

This analysis cycles through each option and poses the benefits and disadvantages of each, recognizing one as the best option for implementation.

Once that is approved the chapter embarks on an engineer design process, complete with drawings, schematics and all relevant information necessary to install the system. This is a tedious process, as the report is very comprehensive and includes many small details. These documents must then be submitted to EWB-USA for evaluation. The review process is very in-depth, and includes a presentation to a group of professionals who work in the field related to the proposed project, in which they pose questions about anything that may be questionable or unclear. After approval, the chapters begin implementing the project. This could be anywhere from contracting to a group or traveling to install the project themselves.

This cycle of reports and implantation continues until the project is complete. A report must be submitted for every new installation. It is EWB-USA’s method of guaranteeing that we as chapter members are installing sustainable, robust installations that benefit the community. This way Engineers Without Borders can continue to help people improve their lives for years to come.​

Nyambogo, Tanzania Implementation Trip Documentary

Do you want to learn more about the trip that our travel team embarked on in January 2015?  EWB-UC has compiled a brief documentary that depicts many of the activities and accomplishments that the chapter completed during the implementation of Phase I for the Nyambogo Water Project.  While we did not have an opportunity to witness the first collection of water by the community in person, we cannot wait to return and view the results of our efforts.