About La Estanzuela

Posted on January 23, 2012 by peter

NEEDS

The community of La Estanzuela is home to about 350 Hondurans. After assessing the most pressing needs of the community during previous visits, EWB-USC determined that a severe scarcity of clean water had to be addressed. The current villagers can either collect contaminated spring water from a minimal flow well or hike many miles back and forth from the local river. This has led to gastrointestinal diseases and lack of proper hydration to many of the residents, especially during the dry season.

EWB RESPONSE

To greatly increase the quality of life of those in La Estanzuela, EWB-USC designed a water wheel pump delivery system to continually fill a previously constructed 10,000 gallon tank. This tank is connected to each household, but currently has no water supply. After the design was approved by EWB-USA in 2009, a group of engineering students with a professional engineer traveled to Honduras in 2010 to begin construction of the expansive system. Two successive trips have led to about 75% of the project being completed, with two more trips planned to complete it.

The goal of this project is for the system to be completely operational by the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Honoring our commitment to La Estanzuela, we will then move on to the next project within the community. Another important issue that was recognized by EWB-USC was the need for improved educational facilities. The community has outgrown current school building, and the school’s kitchen and latrine system are dilapidated. During the next two trips, EWB-USC will begin assessment and design of improved school infrastructure, with hopes of completing this project in the near future.

About Corral de Piedras

Posted on January 23, 2012 by peter

NEEDS

Corral de Piedras sits in a mountainous region of the La Paz region of Western Honduras. Its 300 residents currently have no access to either clean or running water. For all of their drinking, cooking, and cleaning needs, they are forced to rely on scarce natural sources such as low-yield springs. This water is contaminated by animals, fertilizer, and waste, causing frequent gastrointestinal disease.

EWB RESPONSE

During an assessment trip in March 2010, EWB-USC analyzed various possible methods of binging water to Corral de Piedras. Feasible options included harnessing surface water, constructing wells, improving spring systems, and collecting rainwater. After conducting an on-site investigation of factors driving yield, quality, sustainability, maintenance, and cost, the decision was made to use rainwater catchment systems to increase the community’s access to clean water. The first system, which will bring water to the local schoolhouse, is in the construction phase. The expected completion date of this system is December 2011. In addition to rainwater catchment, EWB-USC has partnered with a local, Honduran-run non-profit to supply each family with affordable, ceramic filters. The filters have been in use for ~4 years, and the community has seen a dramatic decrease in waterborne diseases.

After the completion of the schoolhouse rainwater catchment system, EWB-USC will remain invested in Corral de Piedras, monitoring the effectiveness of the system and making design changes as necessary. Depending on the success of this first system, we will work with the community to plan out, design, and fund additional systems throughout the community.

Get Nominated for E-Board!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by peter

Let’s get those E-Board Nominations in!

Want to become an EWB E-Board Member for next year? Know someone that would be great on E-Board? Nominate them or yourself! Just email ewb@usc.edu by January 18, 11:59PM!

Here are the positions along with a description of what the job entails. If you have any questions, feel free to email the board members who currently hold the position about their specific duties! (The email is listed next to the position).

All you need to do is email ewb@usc.edu with a name!

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Welcome to EWB-USC!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by peter

The University of Southern California Chapter of Engineers Without Borders is an entirely student managed organization. Founded in 2006, EWB-USC is the Viterbi School of Engineering’s only humanitarian organization. Our close-knit, dedicated member base is composed of Trojans studying a wide variety of disciplines. All members of EWB-USC are volunteers who share a common vision of making a difference in rural communities of developing countries while enhancing their engineering education at the University of Southern California.