Mid-Semester 2023 Update
Hello! It's great to hear about all the exciting activities and projects the EWB Club is involved in for the Fall Semester. The annual 6k event sounds like a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact. Here's a summary of the key information you provided:
Annual 6k Event
Local Project
Colrain Project
Ghana Project
Kenya Project
Your club's dedication to making a positive impact locally and globally is commendable. For those who have questions or need more information, your email address (ewb.umass@gmail.com) is a valuable resource. The EWB Club at UMass is clearly dedicated to fostering inspiration, collaboration, and creating meaningful change this semester. Best of luck with all your endeavors!
Annual 6k Event
- Date: Saturday, November 4th
- Time: 9 AM
- Location: Old Chapel
Local Project
- Successful AutoCAD training class.
- Measured a bridge and greenhouse at Nuestras Raices for future repair.
- Attended Nuestras Raices' Harvest Festival.
Colrain Project
- Toured the site with REIC.
- Community secured funding.
- In the process of deciding how to use a grant
Ghana Project
- Submitted a report for the post-trip.
- Designing water distribution systems.
- Working on project finalization.
Kenya Project
- Awaiting approval for a community proposal from Volunteer Village.
Your club's dedication to making a positive impact locally and globally is commendable. For those who have questions or need more information, your email address (ewb.umass@gmail.com) is a valuable resource. The EWB Club at UMass is clearly dedicated to fostering inspiration, collaboration, and creating meaningful change this semester. Best of luck with all your endeavors!
Fall Semester 2023 Update
Greetings, EWB Club Members!
We're absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Fall Semester, and we hope you share our excitement! We've been hard at work, brainstorming ways to make this semester truly unforgettable, and now, we're ready to share all the exciting details.
Our first Chapter meeting is just around the corner, so mark your calendars:
But that's not all. We're hitting the ground running with recruitment events at the Activities Expo on September 6th from 12 PM to 3 PM, and the JSES Welcome event on September 12th from 10 AM to 4 PM (location to be announced). These are prime opportunities to learn more about EWB and get to know our team.
We're also going the extra mile by visiting your classes. If you're in Engin 100, Engin 110, Engin 111, Engin 112, Engin 113, Engin 114, PubHealth 129, PubHealth 203, EnvirSci 101, SustComm 140, BCT 150, or NRC 100, keep an eye out for an EWB E-Board Member. We can't wait to connect with you right in your academic environment!
Stay tuned for regular updates because we're not stopping here. We have a lot more events and opportunities in the pipeline, all aimed at making this Fall Semester the best one yet.
And for those who like to stay informed, we're adding some project updates to the website:
Local Project: Last semester, we successfully designed and built the rainwater catchment system at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (PVCICS) in Hadley. At Nuestras Raíces in Holyoke, we initiated a biogas project, started repairing structural deficiencies in one of their greenhouses, and contributed through volunteering. This semester, we hope to make headway with the greenhouse project and potentially build another rainwater catchment system for a different school.
Colrain Project: Our new Local sub-project in Colrain, MA, involves working with the Colrain Sewer District to develop plans for new wastewater treatment options. The previous treatment facility ceased operation earlier this year. So far, we've sent representatives on a site tour to gather project-relevant details. While there's been a lot of planning and discussion, the bulk of the actual work remains to be done. Our goals include assessing the existing and alternative wastewater infrastructure and constructing a preliminary engineering report (PER) for funding applications. There may also be opportunities to learn about GIS mapping, soil testing, flow monitoring, and more.
Ghana Project: Our main accomplishment in Ghana was our trip to the community this August, which allowed us to reconnect with the community and gain a better understanding of their current situation. This semester, we are assessing the next steps to assist the community with their needs and prepare for another trip within the next year ideally.
Kenya Project: For Kenya, we have two communities currently submitting proposals to EWB USA. These proposals aim to address critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges in these communities, with the potential to make a profound impact on the lives of the people there.
If you ever have questions or need more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us at ewb.umass@gmail.com. We're here to help and can't wait to embark on this exciting journey with you.
Get ready for a semester filled with inspiration, collaboration, and, most importantly, positive impact!
We're absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Fall Semester, and we hope you share our excitement! We've been hard at work, brainstorming ways to make this semester truly unforgettable, and now, we're ready to share all the exciting details.
Our first Chapter meeting is just around the corner, so mark your calendars:
- Date: Wednesday, September 20th
- Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Location: Integrated Learning Center S211
But that's not all. We're hitting the ground running with recruitment events at the Activities Expo on September 6th from 12 PM to 3 PM, and the JSES Welcome event on September 12th from 10 AM to 4 PM (location to be announced). These are prime opportunities to learn more about EWB and get to know our team.
We're also going the extra mile by visiting your classes. If you're in Engin 100, Engin 110, Engin 111, Engin 112, Engin 113, Engin 114, PubHealth 129, PubHealth 203, EnvirSci 101, SustComm 140, BCT 150, or NRC 100, keep an eye out for an EWB E-Board Member. We can't wait to connect with you right in your academic environment!
Stay tuned for regular updates because we're not stopping here. We have a lot more events and opportunities in the pipeline, all aimed at making this Fall Semester the best one yet.
And for those who like to stay informed, we're adding some project updates to the website:
Local Project: Last semester, we successfully designed and built the rainwater catchment system at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (PVCICS) in Hadley. At Nuestras Raíces in Holyoke, we initiated a biogas project, started repairing structural deficiencies in one of their greenhouses, and contributed through volunteering. This semester, we hope to make headway with the greenhouse project and potentially build another rainwater catchment system for a different school.
Colrain Project: Our new Local sub-project in Colrain, MA, involves working with the Colrain Sewer District to develop plans for new wastewater treatment options. The previous treatment facility ceased operation earlier this year. So far, we've sent representatives on a site tour to gather project-relevant details. While there's been a lot of planning and discussion, the bulk of the actual work remains to be done. Our goals include assessing the existing and alternative wastewater infrastructure and constructing a preliminary engineering report (PER) for funding applications. There may also be opportunities to learn about GIS mapping, soil testing, flow monitoring, and more.
Ghana Project: Our main accomplishment in Ghana was our trip to the community this August, which allowed us to reconnect with the community and gain a better understanding of their current situation. This semester, we are assessing the next steps to assist the community with their needs and prepare for another trip within the next year ideally.
Kenya Project: For Kenya, we have two communities currently submitting proposals to EWB USA. These proposals aim to address critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges in these communities, with the potential to make a profound impact on the lives of the people there.
If you ever have questions or need more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us at ewb.umass@gmail.com. We're here to help and can't wait to embark on this exciting journey with you.
Get ready for a semester filled with inspiration, collaboration, and, most importantly, positive impact!
Spring Semester 2023 Update
Hello everyone! As we approach the end of the year, we would like to celebrate and share the success we've had throughout this amazing journey. We kicked off the year with a fantastic event, the EWB 6k, last fall. We were thrilled to see an incredible turnout, with approximately fifty participants joining us for the race. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who raced or volunteered, as your support made this event possible!
Moving into the spring, we hosted the 16th Annual EWB Auction on April 15. This remarkable auction served as a crucial fundraiser for our Kenya and Ghana projects. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Nathan Joyce and Christina Jones for organizing the auction, the generous businesses that donated items, and the Duop vocal group for a great performance. Additionally, a big thank you goes out to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make this event a success and Dr. Joseph Gikonyo who was able to provide authentic Kenyan items!
Another highlight of the spring was our Engineering Formal, an enchanting night hosted by NSBE, SWE, EWB, SASE, and SHPE. We were thrilled to witness an overwhelming turnout, with students from various RSOs attending the event. It was truly a night to remember! We eagerly anticipate the next formal and hope to see each and every one of you there for another unforgettable experience!
Lastly, we are excited to report that our Kenya project group was able to travel to Nguluni for 3 days! During their time there, the project group collected updated GPS coordinates of all key points, finalized a closeout agreement, performed water quality testing, and so much more!
As we reflect on this successful year filled with incredible events, we extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated members, volunteers, and supporters. None of this would have been possible without you. Here's to an even more remarkable year ahead!
Moving into the spring, we hosted the 16th Annual EWB Auction on April 15. This remarkable auction served as a crucial fundraiser for our Kenya and Ghana projects. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Nathan Joyce and Christina Jones for organizing the auction, the generous businesses that donated items, and the Duop vocal group for a great performance. Additionally, a big thank you goes out to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make this event a success and Dr. Joseph Gikonyo who was able to provide authentic Kenyan items!
Another highlight of the spring was our Engineering Formal, an enchanting night hosted by NSBE, SWE, EWB, SASE, and SHPE. We were thrilled to witness an overwhelming turnout, with students from various RSOs attending the event. It was truly a night to remember! We eagerly anticipate the next formal and hope to see each and every one of you there for another unforgettable experience!
Lastly, we are excited to report that our Kenya project group was able to travel to Nguluni for 3 days! During their time there, the project group collected updated GPS coordinates of all key points, finalized a closeout agreement, performed water quality testing, and so much more!
As we reflect on this successful year filled with incredible events, we extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated members, volunteers, and supporters. None of this would have been possible without you. Here's to an even more remarkable year ahead!
16th Annual Auction Update
Hi everyone! We are thrilled to report that the 16th Annual EWB Auction held on April 15th was a resounding success! The Campus Center Auditorium was buzzing with excitement as bidders competed for a range of items, from exquisite Kenyan bowls to amazing animal paintings.
We had a great turnout, and we want to thank everyone who joined us in person or online through the hybrid option we offered. Thanks to your support, we raised a total of $517, which will go towards supporting our Kenya and Ghana projects.
We would like to extend a special thanks to Nathan Joyce and Christina Jones for all their hard work put toward the auction, our project managers for delivering fantastic presentations, Dr. Joseph Gikonyo who was able to provide authentic Kenyan items, the generous businesses who contributed amazing auction items, and the Duop vocal group for an outstanding performance.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended or contributed to this fundraiser, as your generosity will make a significant impact in the lives of the communities we serve.
Moving forward, we will use these funds to support our ongoing projects in Kenya and Ghana, which aim to provide sustainable solutions to local challenges, with a focus on access to clean water.
Once again, thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to updating you on our progress in the near future. Down below are some of our favorite moments at the auction, hope to see you there next year!
We had a great turnout, and we want to thank everyone who joined us in person or online through the hybrid option we offered. Thanks to your support, we raised a total of $517, which will go towards supporting our Kenya and Ghana projects.
We would like to extend a special thanks to Nathan Joyce and Christina Jones for all their hard work put toward the auction, our project managers for delivering fantastic presentations, Dr. Joseph Gikonyo who was able to provide authentic Kenyan items, the generous businesses who contributed amazing auction items, and the Duop vocal group for an outstanding performance.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended or contributed to this fundraiser, as your generosity will make a significant impact in the lives of the communities we serve.
Moving forward, we will use these funds to support our ongoing projects in Kenya and Ghana, which aim to provide sustainable solutions to local challenges, with a focus on access to clean water.
Once again, thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to updating you on our progress in the near future. Down below are some of our favorite moments at the auction, hope to see you there next year!
Kenya Project Travel Update!
For the first time since 2020, the Kenya Project sent a travel team consisting of 5 students and 3 mentors back to Kenya for a Monitoring and Close-Out trip. During this visit, our team collected photographs, GPS coordinates, and water quality data of all rainwater catchment systems, water storage tanks, and water distribution lines in Nguluni and surrounding areas. A lot of changes have been made to the community since our last visit. The community has independently constructed a 2 km long extension of the distribution system extending to the nearby community of Ndumani, a new borehole drilled at the church with an elevated storage tank, many new personal connections extending from the distribution system, and more storage and rainwater catchment tanks. Additionally, our team conducted surveys on the community members which has allowed us to gain insight into how we can improve EWB partnership interactions in the future. At the end of the trip, our Project Managers and the STAR Women's Group signed a Close-Out Agreement that outlines the parameters for the official end of our 8-year-long EWB partnership. Although this was a tough decision to make, seeing the many accomplishments the community has made without the need for our assistance has made it clear that they no longer need our hands-on support. They are fully capable of maintaining the previously implemented EWB projects and can continue building off of them on their own. However, we will continue to provide technical advice and guidance to them as needed. In the meantime, the EWB UMass Kenya Project will now begin to search for new communities to partner with next!
EWB UMass's Kenya Project travel team, STAR Women's Group Members, Sustainability Committee members, and other members of the Nguluni community (January 2023)
Yard Work Volunteering
We recently volunteered by doing yard work, so thank you to everyone who came to help us with that! We got a lot done, as we were productive and had lots of fun! One thing we did that was particularly fun was that we made German "Holz Hausen" wood stacks! Below is a photo of what we made! Thank you to everyone who came, and we look forward to more opportunities to help our communities.
Final Chapter Meeting of Fall 2022 Update
Thank you to everyone who attended our chapter meeting! The main focus of the meeting was to start preparing for EBoard elections, so each of our EBoard members went over their positions and what their roles entail! Since we have lots of seniors graduating this year, we are definitely looking for new EBoard members moving forward! Regardless of how long you have been in EWB, we strongly encourage you to nominate yourself and/or a friend for any of the positions (or multiple positions) through the nomination form! Feel free to reach out to any current EBoard member or project manager for more information! The EBoard elections will be Monday, February 20th in ILCS211. Nominations are now open and will be open until February 10th at midnight. Those nominated will have until February 17th at midnight to accept or decline the nomination(s). The nominees will then prepare a 1 minute speech for the chapter meeting and the winners will begin attending our weekly EBoard meetings next Spring to shadow the person currently in your position! If you want a chance to talk more with our EBoard we still have 3 Open EBoard meetings remaining: 11/14 (Marcus Gunness Student Center), 11/28 (Marcus CEI Hub), and 12/5 (Marcus Gunness Student Center) on Mondays from 6PM-7PM. Come hangout and see if you want to run for EWB EBoard!
Fall 2022 EWB 6K Update
Hello everyone! We would like to announce that our 6K this year was a great success! We had a great turnout this year, with about fifty people coming to the race. We are so grateful to everyone that came and that donated to EWB for this event. We are looking forward to keeping this positive trend with future EWB events and future EWB 6K fundraisers! Thanks again to everyone who came to race or volunteer to help make this all happen!
Spring 2022 Engineering Winter Formal Update
We want to thank everyone who attended the Engineering Winter Formal! The Engineering Winter Formal that was hosted by National Society of Black Engineers, Out In Science, Engineering, Technology and Math, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Society of Asian Engineers and Engineers Without Borders on February 18th, 2022 was a massive sellout event! We want to thank everyone who came out to support all of the student groups through their singing and dancing and we hope everyone had a magical night. We look forward to seeing everyone who was there this year and a bunch of new faces next year at the second annual Engineering Winter Formal. Thank you all so much, see you next year for another wonderful night!
Fall 2021 Kenya Update
As of now, we will continue to work alongside Nguluni but the capacity at which we are going to work with them and the timeline is still undecided. There is a possibility of implementing an elevated water storage tank but would it require multiple years of funding and would be a substantial undertaking, so this plan of action is still largely undecided.
Since we probably won't have the opportunity to travel this year, we are hoping on partnering with the University of Nairobi EWB Kenya chapter to potentially organize a trip where they would visit Nguluni and gather technical data on the systems we have installed and surveying members of the community. This would give us valuable insight into how the implemented infrastructure is functioning and if any problems need to be addressed. The STAR Women's group has harvested their first patch of crops and is going into their second planting season in a few weeks' time at the plot of land the distribution system was extended to during the 2021 remote implementation project.
We are also setting our sights on a local project, Nuestras Raíces. This is still a work in progress, but we are planning to come together as a chapter and work with this urban agricultural organization to provide engineering help and expertise. More to come on this in the coming weeks.
There is still a lot unfolding at the moment, but that is what is on the horizon for the Kenya Project.
Since we probably won't have the opportunity to travel this year, we are hoping on partnering with the University of Nairobi EWB Kenya chapter to potentially organize a trip where they would visit Nguluni and gather technical data on the systems we have installed and surveying members of the community. This would give us valuable insight into how the implemented infrastructure is functioning and if any problems need to be addressed. The STAR Women's group has harvested their first patch of crops and is going into their second planting season in a few weeks' time at the plot of land the distribution system was extended to during the 2021 remote implementation project.
We are also setting our sights on a local project, Nuestras Raíces. This is still a work in progress, but we are planning to come together as a chapter and work with this urban agricultural organization to provide engineering help and expertise. More to come on this in the coming weeks.
There is still a lot unfolding at the moment, but that is what is on the horizon for the Kenya Project.
Fall 2021 Ghana Update
Our mask project from last year was a massive success. We are going to be able to put those funds towards future projects. Additionally, we sent funds to our community, Saviefe-Deme to be used for material costs and labor compensation to help aid economic revitalization. The community took it upon themselves to pay contractors to build a pipe across the road to a school and we will be reimbursing them and altering our plans to fit their new system. The purpose of the distribution system is to widen the availability of potable water from the operational borehole supply. There is a road that splits the community and the main boreholes are on one side and very far away. Additionally, a new carbon filter was designed to remove silt and poor taste from the bio-sand filter water. We hope that we can get the community to begin using these. As of now, our biggest priority is to continue working with the community to expand the distribution system. We plan on implementing the distribution system this January.
2020 Kenya Project Trip
The Kenya project had a successful trip to Nguluni over winter break, installing new hand washing stations, assisting the community in improving the distribution system, and collecting valuable data on the use of water.
Assisted by students from the University of Nairobi, we made unprecedented progress within the community, collecting data that was previously unobtainable due to the language barrier and bias in results. Additionally, by constructing a hand washing station at the Kyakaleli nursery, the children are now able to practice and learn sanitary practices.
To allow the community better access to clean water during the dry season, connections were added between previously stand-alone tanks and the borehole, with water quality testing performed at these sites before being connected to the borehole piping network.
Assisted by students from the University of Nairobi, we made unprecedented progress within the community, collecting data that was previously unobtainable due to the language barrier and bias in results. Additionally, by constructing a hand washing station at the Kyakaleli nursery, the children are now able to practice and learn sanitary practices.
To allow the community better access to clean water during the dry season, connections were added between previously stand-alone tanks and the borehole, with water quality testing performed at these sites before being connected to the borehole piping network.
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