Engineering students to improve water infrastructure in Rwanda

In May, a handful of UC members went to Gikingo, Rwanda, for their newest project. The purpose of this trip was to get an introduction to the community, understand its needs and collect data for designing a water infrastructure system. 

"The connections with upper-class engineers and the entire network of Engineers Without Borders is so welcoming, and we're all working towards a great cause," said Eli Branstetter, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student and group member. "I found my place at UC. I enjoy the people, and I enjoy the work we're doing." 

As the name suggests, most members of the group are engineering students, so the trip was coordinated around the tight schedule between students' classes and co-op assignments. The day after the spring semester ended, the group left for the 10-day trip to Rwanda. They stayed in Kigali, the capital city, roughly 30 to 45 minutes outside of Gikingo. Even with the community's proximity to the capital, they still do not have access to clean water. 

To improve water infrastructure in the community, Engineers Without Borders has to assess and understand the community and its resources. One day of the trip was dedicated to conducting community surveys to get a better picture of where people are getting clean water and how much they are using and speaking with leaders at a government-level meeting. Additionally, the team did some preliminary fieldwork analyzing the undeveloped natural spring they plan to gather water from. 

For example, one of the active projects in Nyambogo, Tanzania, has been ongoing for more than a decade because it has had a multitude of phases. Nyambogo and Gikingo are two of three active projects, with the third being Burere, Tanzania. Together, these three projects have provided 20,000 people with 20 million liters of clean water. The new project in Gikingo will expand the impact of EWB over the next several years.

“It was a great opportunity to see it all in person knowing that I’ll be in school for the next four years and get to watch this project progress,” Oatney said. “I’ll be able to look back and say I was there before we did anything, witness the changes, and build relationships with these people.”

Along with international work in communities around the world, Engineers Without Borders also has a local impact through several domestic projects. The group works with Habitat for Humanity in the United States on various projects and with other Cincinnati local organizations on projects like building a wheelchair-accessible community garden and walking bridges.

During the fall semester in 2023, UC’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders facilitated more than 1500 hours of volunteer work. Founded by four engineering students decades ago, the group has turned into a dedicated chapter of more than 60 students who share the same passion for aiding the global water crisis. the chapter is open to students of all majors and years, with no experience required.

Featured image at top: UC Engineers Without Borders students in Rwanda. Photo/Provided