October 4th Meeting
 
In Jeremy’s absence, Rick introduced Nadia Clucksberg, President and Kathy Kern, Vice President of the  Portland professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
 
 
“EWB-USA partners with developing communities in over 45 countries across the world.  Our membership consists of professionals and students from a variety of professions including engineering, health, anthropology and business.  EWB-USA members make up over 300 chapters located throughout the USA.  Through its projects, EWB-USA provides innovative professional educational opportunities that provide a global perspective.” Currently, EWB-USA has 650 projects.
 
“Each EWB-USA chapter makes at least a five-year commitment to a partnering community.  With the community’s input, the chapter designs and implements low-cost, small-scale, replicable and sustainable engineering solutions to problems identified by the community.  This includes water, sanitation, and renewable energy.  EWB-USA members train local community members and local NGOs to successfully monitor and maintain the projects.”
 
Tonight Nadia described 2 projects along with their current status:
 
  1. Dorgobom, Ghana – A rain water harvesting system using the school roof. She described how the water was collected, stored, and clarified. They discovered that Moringa seeds purified the water with one major drawback-a bitter taste. However, they were disappointed that the locals could/would not maintain it. They (natives) summed it up: “The water has always been OK, so why change!”
     
  2. Debre Birham, Ethiopia – A new K thru 8 school for 1,000 students consisting of 5 buildings with 4 classrooms apiece. They have poured the foundations.  (The US project engineers were not used to hiring horse carts to transport fuel for the construction equipment!)  They were waiting for word that they (locals) had poured the floors.  However, the project is now on hold because of civil unrest and some anti USA protests.
     
Their monthly chapter meetings are open to anyone interested.