USU Engineers Seek Participants, Donors for Humanitarian Trip

A team of Utah State University students belonging to Engineers without Borders will return to Peru next summer of 2006 to continue efforts to improve water systems and sanitation in the South American country.

 

"Our main goal is not to do everything for the people but to help them become more self-sufficient," said Kathryn Wixom, a graduate engineering student. "Teaching them about the dangers of unclean water and lack of personal hygiene was a major part of our previous trip and will be again next summer."

 

The group traveled to Cuscu in Northern Peru and Chiclayo in the southern region last summer to perform various projects. Such projects included pump and water sanitation testing, fixing roofs, constructing bathrooms and building a community center for an Indian village of about 100 people.

 

"The people in the Indian village were thrilled to have us there and were so appreciative," said Wixom. "They showed their thanks by performing dances for us and cooking us a dinner of lamb and potatoes. The children were especially enthusiastic about us being there."

 

The initial team and the team going next summer consist of students from Utah State's chapter of Engineers without Borders, a non-profit group of students, professors and professional engineers committed to helping underdeveloped countries. Three engineering students, a registered nurse, a retail marketing student and a professional engineer from Salt Lake City went on the 2005 trip.

 

The team assisted Eagle Condor Humanitarian, an aid group from Salt Lake City, and will travel with them again next summer to complete additional projects.

 

"In the village where we worked, the women went out to get the water from the wells to provide for their families," said Jesse Neilson, a graduate student in the water engineering program. "They often have to travel five miles to the nearest pump and then have to retrieve water from 50-foot wells. They spend about 90 percent of their day getting water; we want to make the task easier for them."

 

The main project for next summer's trip will be to install submersible pumps with faucets to make the task of retrieving water less of a challenge for the people. The task of fixing the wells will not be cheap. Each pump will cost the team about $1,500. The students also hope to continue educational programs on improving water sanitation and personal hygiene, including installing double-pit latrines.

 

"It will be rewarding to be able to apply the concepts we are learning at USU to help Third World countries," said Jonathan Bingham, who will take his first trip to Peru with the team next summer. "I love the people of Peru and really think we can make a difference in their living conditions."

 

Participants who go on the trip are responsible for raising the money for their own travel expenses. It costs each student $2,200 to make the trip. All materials used are either donated or funded by an outside donor. Monetary donation, frequent flyer miles and basic building materials are all needed in order to make the trip.

 

"We encourage everyone interested in joining us next summer, or who would like to help financially to contact us," said Neilson. "It is a rare educational experience, one that helps put life in perspective. While you have to work hard, it is truly rewarding."