Engineers Without Borders (EWB) - UNLV Mission & Vision
Mission
Our vision is a world in which the communities we serve have the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs, and that our members have enriched global perspectives through the innovative professional educational opportunities that the EWB-USA program provides at UNLV.
Vision
To support community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders.
Guatemala Project
Project Background
El Cebollín, Guatemala is an agricultural-based community made up of approximately 22 households. Without a proper schoolhouse, the children of these households had to walk two kilometers through an isolated road to reach the nearest school. The community solved this safety concern by building a one-room wooden schoolhouse, but this temporary structure did not meet the children's needs. The community partnered with EWB-UNLV to build a multi-room schoolhouse which will provide a larger and more permanent learning experience for the children and schoolteachers.
EWB-UNLV Approach
To tackle this challenge, EWB-UNLV student members and professional mentors designed three plans for a new schoolhouse, and used a decision matrix to select a two schoolrooms, one office design. With the onset of COVID-19, the EWB-UNLV members also added a handwashing station to improve sanitation among the schoolchildren. The schoolhouse was constructed remotely, and is now fully completed. This schoolhouse provides a more stable space for the children to learn, and the increased space allows more children to attend school in the future. This space is also a gathering area for community activities and festivals.
Future Prospects
In the future, the chapter will continue to work with the community to monitor the success of the schoolhouse and ensure its longevity. From this project, UNLV-EWB members learned valuable skills about project design, decision-making, report writing, and the culture of Guatemala.
Nicaragua Project
Project Background
In 2010 and 2011, devastating floods swept through the Nicaraguan communities in San Francisco Libre, causing mass destruction and displacing over 300 families. These families were relocated to higher grounds, but lacked access to essential infrastructure, including sanitation.
EWB-UNLV Approach
In 2013, the UNLV chapter of Engineers Without Borders partnered with the San Francisco Libre community to construct 41 two-pit composting latrines. These reusable latrines serve the dual purpose of eliminating open defecation while also providing compost to nourish crops.
Progress Update
Over the course of four implementation trips spanning four years, a total of 41 latrines were constructed. Now the chapter is conducting a remote monitoring and evaluation trip in April 2024 to examine the latrines and ensure the safety and longevity of the project.