Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a Drexel University student organization, recently returned from a trip to Miramar, a residential village in El Salvador, to further a humanitarian project that began in 2007.
In December 2015, four students Ivy Koberlein, Peter Dannemann, Hannah Devlin, and Evan Newcomer traveled to Miramar with an ambitious goal of building and installing five new biosand filters for residents that need a better source of clean water. In the past, students have only been able to build or install filters, as opposed to accomplishing both construction and installment during a single trip. However, even in spite of logistical issues, students were able to pour one new filter to be built and install five new filters within eight days in homes throughout Miramar. Currently, there are 37 residences in Miramar and Drexel’s EWB-USA chapter has installed 15 filters, providing nearly half of the entire village with a method to obtain clean water.
The biosand filter utilizes a biolayer and tiers of sand and gravel to remove harmful bacteria, parasites, and other potentially hazardous elements from approximately five gallons of water in about an hour that villagers can then use to cook and to drink. Without clean water, residents of Miramar are subject to potential disease and illness. This trip served as a follow-up from a recent trip in September 2015 where students were able to install filters and teach residents how to use and maintain them. The students were accompanied by one faculty advisor from Drexel University Matthew N. VanKouwenberg and one professional mentor representing the Engineers Without Borders USA Philadelphia Professional Chapter Paolo Belfiore.
Drexel’s EWB-USA chapter plans to return again for another and hopefully longer trip in March 2016 to continue their work with some extra hands. Six students along with one academic and one professional mentor are arranging to make the trip to build and install more filters, while continuing to teach residents how to build and install themselves. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the process of building and installing from start to finish in order to turn the project over to the community to enable them to become self-sufficient and continue to construct filters until every home in Miramar has clear water at their disposal.
Engineers Without Borders USA is an international humanitarian engineering group that serves our global neighbors in the developing world; those who need it most. They design models including a rigorous technical and cultural assessment, community involvement, and a five-year commitment to each community that they serve for. The organization also works with non-government organizations, Peace Corps and other supporters. EWB-USA Drexel has received sponsorships from Drexel University’s College of Engineering, Pennoni Associates Inc., Women in Transportation, Rotary International, etc.
EWB-USA Drexel allows engineering students to hone and apply their skills, as well as gain experience in socially and globally influenced projects. The organization also welcomes students from all majors, from sciences, arts to business majors.
For more information about how to join or to support Drexel’s Engineers Without Borders USA chapter and their projects, please email Evan Newcomer at evnewcomer@gmail.com, or Ivy Koberlein at yvineilrebok@gmail.com.