Two members of Walla Walla University’s Engineers Without Borders club and three faculty sponsors made their second assessment trip to Tanzania in early September 2023 as part of their long-term water supply project in the village of Manda. The team prioritized collecting data and forging strong connections with Manda locals.
Intending to provide Manda residents with safe, economical and reliable water, the team got straight to work after their arrival in the village. They held meetings with village officials to find the areas of greatest need, inspected the entire current water system and collected large amounts of technical data.
“Building the relationships is a really important part of the project,” said Samuel Schafer, WWU sophomore mechanical engineering major and this year’s Manda project manager. “Through those relationships, we gain a true sense of their needs and what we can do to help.”
According to the trip’s sponsors, taking the time to worship with the people of Manda allowed them to help fulfill their physical and spiritual needs. From boat rides together to soccer matches, the team connected with members of the Manda community on multiple levels.
EWB hopes to help provide safe and affordable access to clean water in Manda, Tanzania.
WWU’s EWB chapter adopted the project in 2019 and has conducted two assessment trips since launching the initiative. Schafer explained the project doesn’t have a foreseeable end date and strives to help the people in Manda as much as it can.
Following their first meeting of the year, Schafer and his team are actively constructing workable solutions for Manda that can be implemented next year. EWB plans to make their first trip to install the water management systems they are designing next summer.
Schafer has enjoyed learning to negotiate and lead meetings with the potential to make a difference in the world. He said EWB is very practical, hands-on experience and a great option for students who want to serve others in a tangible way.
The mission of EWB is to not only use their engineering skills to provide aid to communities in need, but to share God’s love in the process. By partnering with local communities to foster lasting solutions and integrating academic knowledge with humanitarian work, their efforts closely align with WWU’s mission to spark generosity in service around the world.
Learn more about the work being done by WWU’s EWB club or make a donation to help projects like this continue at ewb-wwu.org.
