"The EWB Experience"
"The EWB Experience" is the first in a series of promotional videos for the University of Minnesota Engineers Without Borders Chapter. This video highlights the work of EWB-UMN through use of photographs from completed and ongoing projects in Guatemala, Ghana, Uganda and Haiti. Enjoy.
EWB-UMN receives grant from the UofM Institute on the Environment
Engineers without Borders received their Grant for the Uganda Water Supply, Sanitation and Renewable Energy project. This project aims to provide adequate, hygienic, locally sustainable rain water harvesting; ecological dry composting sanitation; and solar-powered energy supply for the Hope Integrated Academy in Mulobere, Uganda.
The Institute on the Environment has awarded more than $20,000 in grants to student organizations across the University of Minnesota. The grants will support projects or activities in spring 2008 that promote sustainability and the environment. The Institute sought proposals from official student organizations on all University of Minnesota campuses. The primary criteria for funding included project feasibility, innovation, reach, the quality of the project, and the potential impact in the community and/or on campus.
EWB-UMN wins $25k grand prize in sustainable design/innovation contest
The Engineers Without Borders - University of Minnesota Chapter (EWB-UMN) recently won Keen Footwear's Stand For Competition $25k grand prize for our Haiti water sachet plastic recycling project. The Stand competition awarded $150,000 to three categories with three grand prize winners. There were 321 entries to the Stand For division in which activists were to submit sustainable design ideas for the competition.
The project focuses on the design and implementation of constructable and maintainable batch systems for recycling of plastic water sachets made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE water sachets are a primary means by which Haitians transport their drinking water. These sachets are discarded onto streets and in-between homes, a major environmental problem. We are currently researching methods for the re-melting and re-molding of HDPE water sachets into durable footwear for Haitian children. Partnering with Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods, SOIL, an ecological sanitation non-profit working to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged Haitians, we plan to travel to Haiti in summer 2008.
link to submitted video: Keen website
University News Service: Video
University news service: Article
EWB-UMN travels to EWB-International Conference
From March 28-30, 2008 members of EWB-UMN traveled to Seattle for the Engineers Without Borders 2008 International Conference on sustainable engineering and global health. The event was hosted at the University of Washington, and featured speakers were Bill Gates, Sr., and Dr. Bernard Amadei. EWB-UMN presented an overview of the completed Ghana project, as well as a lessons learned session to inform other chapters about challenges of working in developing countries. Four posters were presented on the upcoming Uganda, Guatemala and Haiti projects. An awards banquet was held at the Museum of Flight, where EWB-UMN received the Education Achievement Award for the Ghana project, and took second place in the photo contest.  
Uganda Rural Fund
Hope Integrated Academy: Mulobere, Uganda The Uganda Rural Fund USA (URF-USA), a registered 501(c)(3), is a international grassroots organization focused on ensuring that orphans, needy children, and marginalized communities (especially those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic) are empowered and reintegrated into society. In the fall of 2005, URF-USA conceived the idea of a primary school, community center, computer center, and vocational school that would exist to provide quality education to children and adults of the Mulobere community and the Masaka region, areas that have fallen victim to the AIDS tragedy in rural Uganda. Thus the Hope Integrated Academy was underway. EWB was contacted for the design of adequate, safe, and reliable water, sanitation, and electrical systems. In the spring of 2007, EWB-UMN teamed up with EWB-VTech to take on the project design.
Link to Project's page |
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Projects & Meetings
Uganda Project Meeting
May 7, 6:00 p.m. in Lind 5
Discuss the project design of water supply and sanitation system.
Contact: Eric Novotny
Guatemala Fundraising Meeting
May 8, 5:30 p.m. Dunn Brothers at University and 280
We will be discussing the fundraising and plans of action
Contact: Guillermo Alfonzo
Guatemala Project Meeting
May 11, 6:00 p.m. in SAFL
Discuss the project design and assembly of paperwork for July assessment trip.
Contact: Andrew Sander
News & Events
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