lthcare Prof:

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The University of California, Santa Barbara chapter of Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) was awarded the “2007 Project with the Year” in the EWB-USA 2007 International Conference in Amherst, Massachusetts, for its ongoing project in Araypallpa, Peru. The award comes having a $5,000 prize donated by BoldeReach, a community of women dedicated to supporting organizations that aid those in extreme need around the world.

The UCSB chapter was asked by the rural community of Araypallpa to help implement sustainable engineering projects to improve wellness, education and quality of life within the farming village of about 300 people. Chapter members very first visited Araypallpa in July, 2004 to install a solar-powered lighting system for two classrooms at the local school and to perform community water, sanitation, and well being assessments. The team returned the following summer to install a pilot slow sand filter and provide training to the community to maintain and monitor the system. The team also conducted a far more detailed health survey and met with community leaders to prioritize future projects.

Last summer, the chapter members helped establish a library to provide educational resources related to agriculture and started a gray water recycling pilot project. This summer, the team will do a final evaluation with the pilot slow sand filter and construct a full-scale system. The chapter members will also create an improved water chlorination device and evaluate ways to enhance the water system’s efficiency and create irrigation and water conservation techniques.

EWB at UCSB, now with about 40 active members, was founded in October, 2003 and has partnered with communities in Peru, Mali and Thailand on projects including solar power, water purification, sanitation, and bio-fuel production. Membership is open to all, such as students, staff, and community members. Student members of EWB at UCSB are majoring in engineering, geography, environmental science and management, anthropology, physics, biology, and other fields. Managed by volunteers, all donations go directly to cover equipment, supplies, and travel required for each project.

EWB-UCSB won the “Sustainable Legacy Award” and the Thomas P. Waters Foundation Grant last year for their efforts in Peru.

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Contact: Barbara B. Gray
University of California – Santa Barbara