Introduction

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit organization seeking to "build a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the world’s most pressing challenges." Since it´s initiation in 2004, the Michigan Tech Chapter (EWB-MTU) of EWB-USA has held projects in Honduras, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Panama, and has received multiple chapter awards from EWB-USA for it´s work in those countries. EWB-MTU has current teams working in Guatemala and Panama with work developing for an additional domestic project team.

The Panama team of EWB-MTU is working with the community of La Esperanza to design an adequate water distribution system that will supply potable water to households of the recently formed community. The team has been working closely with community leaders, Footprint Possibilities (NGO), IDAAN (the Panama district municipal water supplier), and government officials to complete a design and secure necessary supplies.

Panama Team Current Members

  • Travis Durgan
  • Brian Parvin
  • Lauren Kirkconnell
  • Tyler Wittmann
  • Marlena Daniels
  • Samuel Byrne
  • Corrina Kostrzewa
  • Kara Jelly
  • Jacob Erickson

Site Assessments

August 2016

In August of 2016 a trabel team of six traveled to Panama for the first project assessment trip. The purpose of this trip was to gain a better understanding of the problems within La Esperanza in order to assess the need for a project. The EWB-MTU team met with community leaders as well as .... collect census data about the community. Another goal for this trip was to establish a relationship with the community. The census data was used to estimate population. It should be noted that the census data was incomplete because many people weren’t home, so for further calculations, the average household size (4.02 people) was used for all unknown values. Panama national population growth data was used to estimate the 10-year growth rate to be approximately 13%.

January 2017

Design Progress

Sustainability Goals

Engineers Without Borders as a worldwide organization holds the sustainability of its projects at a high level of importance. In order to ensure that the new distribution system being implemented with La Esperanza is maintained and benefits the community for future generations, the EWB-MTU chapter will continue to support the community in this specific project for a minimum of five years. This includes encouraging the presence of a continued Water Committee made up of community members, education on the new system and it's upkeep, and investigation into future projects based on community need. The ultimate goal of the project is to leave the community of La Esperanza as the owners and knowledgeable caretakers of the new water distribution system.

Future Involvement

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