Engineers Without Borders help third-world countries
Sarah Jacobsen
Issue date: 9/22/09 Section: News
The community had built houses on a steep hill, and since there were no restrooms, they dug deep pit latrines into the same hill. These unlined latrines were full, and rainwater was causing them to overflow and sent their contents flooding into neighbors' houses according to Richardson.
The team built a retaining wall to prevent this flooding, and the professional chapter left money for two more to be built. The students brought this part of their experience home to the SIUE Engineers Without Borders. Richardson said the chapter intends to work on a plan this year for implementing composting latrines in Pimienta in the future. ?
While in Honduras, senior civil engineering major Jamie Walker said the students worked hard to improve life for the families of their adopted community.
"I have never been so over-heated, exhausted, physically and mentally strained in my life. Yet, it was one of the most absolutely amazing experiences," Walker said. "It allowed us to work alongside the professionals while expanding our knowledge of engineering. A bond was created between everyone involved, students, professionals and the community."
Engineers Without Borders helped 27 households. The group members were not the only ones working hard.
"The community is the hardest working group of people that I have ever met," Walker said.
Richardson said he remembered a time on their second day in Honduras when the group was working to construct a retaining wall. A dump truck had delivered sand at the top of the hill right before their two-hour lunch break. By the time they returned, the community was finishing up moving all of the sand down the hill. He even saw a 3-year-old with a five-quart pan doing his part. ?
The students also noticed the joy of the community members in addition to their hard work.
"The neatest thing was seeing these people, who by American standards have nothing … They are the absolute most joyful people," Richardson said. "It gives you a renewed sense of purpose in life." ?
The team built a retaining wall to prevent this flooding, and the professional chapter left money for two more to be built. The students brought this part of their experience home to the SIUE Engineers Without Borders. Richardson said the chapter intends to work on a plan this year for implementing composting latrines in Pimienta in the future. ?
While in Honduras, senior civil engineering major Jamie Walker said the students worked hard to improve life for the families of their adopted community.
"I have never been so over-heated, exhausted, physically and mentally strained in my life. Yet, it was one of the most absolutely amazing experiences," Walker said. "It allowed us to work alongside the professionals while expanding our knowledge of engineering. A bond was created between everyone involved, students, professionals and the community."
Engineers Without Borders helped 27 households. The group members were not the only ones working hard.
"The community is the hardest working group of people that I have ever met," Walker said.
Richardson said he remembered a time on their second day in Honduras when the group was working to construct a retaining wall. A dump truck had delivered sand at the top of the hill right before their two-hour lunch break. By the time they returned, the community was finishing up moving all of the sand down the hill. He even saw a 3-year-old with a five-quart pan doing his part. ?
The students also noticed the joy of the community members in addition to their hard work.
"The neatest thing was seeing these people, who by American standards have nothing … They are the absolute most joyful people," Richardson said. "It gives you a renewed sense of purpose in life." ?
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