[Week 12] Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders - International EWBI is an international non-profit organization. Established in 2002 in the U.S. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life of people in difficult circumstances around the world. They support the development of society through education, implementation of sustainable engineering projects, provide technical expertise and assistance in solving important problems affecting health of our planet.

http://www.ewb-international.org

http://www.csuohio.edu/engineering/civil/graphics/EWBWaterPipes.jpg

Its activities are based on a partnership of a wide range of institutions and local organizations. The organization is focuses on integration. They take care to promote values ​​such as dignity, honesty, respect for diversity, justice.

http://www.salem-news.com/stimg/october032006/engineers_wo_brders350.jpg

"Our program isn't so much an engineering program, It's a social program with an engineering aspect." - Raima Amin

The organization has been involved in many projects:

http://www.engr.psu.edu/ewb/projects/Projects-Map.jpg

http://www.ewb-international.org/projects/

Let's look at real work they do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r98yqbkcn6U

EWB helps create a more stable and better world, addressing basic human needs providing necessities such as: clean water, power, sanitation, and education. EWB has more than 350 projects in over 45 developing countries around the world.

Now I'd like you to watch a highly emotional and personal presentation of a person who is a part of this organization. David Damberger’s work with Engineers Without Borders has taken him from communities in India to Southern Africa to help build infrastructure.

The presentation shows the scale of the problems of developing countries. Most of us are not aware of the differences between Europe and Africa. These countries need multidimensional assistance. Give them something they do not have is not enough. They need knowledge of what it is, how it works and more importantly how to fix it to make it work again.

Personally the presenter impressed me, his commitment and desire to do something great for strangers. Willingness to share knowledge and more importantly the ability to admit to his failure.

1)What do you think about such organizations?

3)Would you be able to leave everything and go to a developing country to help them?

4)If you know similar organizations present them.