Engineers Without Borders - UWS Bolivia Project

Description

Since 2006 Engineers Without Borders at the University of Washington (EWB-UWS) has collaborated with rural communities in Bolivia implementing projects addressing water and indoor air pollution issues.  This past September EWB-UWS along with the communities implemented three projects, potable and irrigation water improvements, and roofs and stoves project.  In Yanayo Grande, population approximately 100, the potable water project replaced the community’s unreliable 5 spigot system with 29 household spigots.  In Yanyo Chico, population approximately 30, a 70 m³ geo-synthetic reservoir and sprinkler system was installed providing the community with two crop cycles, increasing variety in their diet.  In Tuquiza 65 roofs and stoves where built significantly reducing indoor air pollution and getting rid of the prior thatched roofs which host the Chagas parasite.  Current design is underway for a roads project throughout the Yanayo region, potable water improvements in Yanayo Chico and roofs and stove in Piriquina.  Thus far five communities in the Yanayo region have requested and benefited from various projects through the efforts of EWB-UWS and all its supporters, including AIChE. 

Personal Quotes

“Hiking, shovel and helping an eager and excited community met their basic human right, we often take for granted, makes EWB one of the best experiences a student could imagine.”  Lady De La Via

“All the design, fundraising and implementation work became all more than worth it once I got to see the locals open their faucet and smile at the realization that they now have water in their house.  The locals are now aware Chemical Engineers are dedicated and willing to stretch far to lend a hand.”  Claudia De La Via