Engineers without borders

Masamichi Ikeda created the UB chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) in fall 2006 after visiting Tanzania and witnessing the living conditions of its children.

The senior civil and structural engineering major described the organization's first undertaking, called the Tanzania School Project. The group wants to build a primary school and crop field in Kigoma, Tanzania, a region housing various refugees from bordering African countries.

"Orphans from Rwanda and Burundi are ignored by the government. They are in need of food, a place to live and education," Ikeda said.

The Tanzania School Project entails four objectives. The EWB wants to dig a water well and construct sand filters to provide safe water for the occupants of the school, build a vegetation field to provide a chance for the children to provide for themselves, make accommodations for children, and finally build the classrooms of the school.

The group believes that with the formation of a primary school in Kigoma, the estimated 4,000 orphans and street children there will get a chance at an education.

They hope an anticipated cycle of change will be initiated as the children in school spread their knowledge and inspire others to get an education. Children with families as well as refugee orphans will be accepted ensuring that they have a chance to integrate themselves into society.

The EWB has secured 21 acres of land in Kigoma through Ikeda's visits to Tanzania and meetings with the municipal government. They have also secured connections in Tanzania with a local engineer in the region and several non-governmental organizations.

Currently, along with the guaranteed 21 acres of land for the school and field, they have an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to provide seeds for the prospective vegetation field. The UN World Food Program has agreed to provide other food.

Ikeda has also established relations with an NGO representative in Kigoma.

"Grace Hassan is the project coordinator from MIBOS, the NGO, in the region. I met him in the Japanese embassy and he suggested that I go to Kigoma," Ikeda said.

Director of Graduate Studies and Professor Cemal Basaran, Ph.D. will act as the project's faculty advisor. Professional mechanical engineer Mike Weyand is also mentoring the project.

Project organizers were touched by the story of the helpless orphans in Kigomo.

"Their story is so compelling... Masamichi went to the regions and collected drawings done by children of what they thought the school should look like," said Iluska Lippke, group secretary.

Ikeda said he initially wanted to help, but didn't know how.

"They have nothing. I thought, 'I want to help them but I am only 21 years old, with no skills and no connections,'" he said.

The EWB is looking for anyone interested in helping out with fundraising, making community connections, research and anything else to help out.

"If there is one thing we want the UB community to understand it is the importance of helping others. Anybody who wants to help can help. We will find something for you to do," Lippke said.

An engineering major is not required to get involved with the project. A variety of people with different skills are necessary, according to Shijo Zacharias, a senior computer engineering major and group member.

"For example, we will be creating software for children to learn English and math," he said. "For the (EWB's) cultural awareness team, we will need history majors."

Currently they are hoping to help approximately 3,000 people by providing them with clean water, and around 500 children with the construction of the school. Members said they will need a lot of help to do more.

"As a community we are educated, we have the means to and should help those who don't. It is the idea of being globally responsible," Lippke said.