About Us
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In the world’s toughest places, Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is partnering with communities to meet their basic human needs. We’re building footbridges to provide pathways to opportunities. We’re installing solar panels to bring light where it is dark. We’re digging for water so hope can spring from the ground. Each project builds the foundation for a community to thrive for years to come. Learn more about our approach to development.
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.
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 NGO’s to successfully monitor and maintain the projects.
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Our awesome project takes place in the community of Aldea Las Lagunas Cuaches, Guatemala. At the moment, the community of 3,882 people is without safe drinking water and cases of waterborne ailments, such as diarrhea and skin illnesses, are reportedly on the rise. The community relies on a shared well and spring water which can only provide for 30 households out of the 600 plus existing there. There are water shortages daily. The community lives on subsistence agriculture; however, due to the water shortages, the crops often fail and people are forced to move out elsewhere. The local government attempted to produce a well to provide water for their community but did not have the means to finish the project, getting as far as creating a well bore hole with confirmed water. This is where we come in.
The Guatemala - Quetzaltenango, Lagunas Cuaches Conduction Line Project will attempt to fill this void and provide clean water for the community of Aldea Las Lagunas Cuaches. The scope of the Lagunas Cauches project includes installing a water pump in the existing well bore, creating a water treatment system, and building a conduction line. Our hope is that the project will provide safe drinking water, increase sanitation practices in the community, and generate sufficient water for all household needs.
EWB-USA Philadelphia will work hand-in-hand with the local community and EWB Guatemala to complete the project with long-term sustainability, community empowerment, and stakeholder satisfaction in mind. The local community will provide materials and labor to complete the project. After the project is completed, EWB-Philly will send engineers to Guatemala to ensure that the project has clearly benefited the community.
We are always looking for new members to learn with us and help us out! There is plenty to do, so please see the get involved links below.
Email us at: info@ewb-philly.org
Follow our Linkedin page and Instagram for updates
Learn more about our chapter at our website
