Engineers without Borders (UP) made a difference

Posted on August 20, 2015

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) – is an internationally recognised organisation based in various countries around the world including South Africa. Engineers Without Borders-South Africa (EWB-SA) initiated by Wiebke Toussaint whom with passion, leads and guides multiple student chapters from various universities in South Africa, including University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town and University of Witwatersrand.

EWB-SA focuses on empowering communities throughout the entire country, through joint collaboration between active engineers together with learning scholars in tackling challenges many communities face on a daily basis.

Engineers Without Boarders - University of Pretoria (EWB-UP) had the privilege of working with Kutumela-Molefi Primary School located a few kilometres outside of Mamelodi. EWB-UP in collaboration with JCP students tackled and completed a total of 8 projects at Kutumela-Molefi Primary School. Projects include the installation of a new ventilation system for the school kitchen, fixing a class floor, revamping the school’s jungle gym, repainting the school wall, painting a new mural, fixing broken windows and putting in roof insulation for various class rooms with a concluding project whereby EWB-UP erected a new school sign along the road for Kutumela-Molefi.

 After numerous trips to the school, the Team noticed the old school sign was not very visible and took initiative in design a new sign for the school. This was but one of the many fulfilling moments EWB-UP and JCP students got to experience at Kutumela-Molefi Primary School. The project was completed on the 15th of August 2015 with a group of enthusiastic members making this one of the most memorable year yet.

EWB provide active students whom are eager the opportunity to engage with the communities, making an impact that stays with the community as well as every member involved. Not only does the projects allow students to come up with creative ideas to solve real-life challenges which offer sustainable solutions that impact people’s lives, it also provides an invaluable experience for each and every student along the way. This is the beginning of a new era for EWB-UP in practicing real engineering where it matters most, with the collaboration with JCP there is but little doubt anything challenge is too difficult to tackle.

Many thanks goes out to all staff member of University of Pretoria with whom the organization cannot do without, and to each and every participating member throughout this year, thank you for your dedication and hard work.

- Author Paul Sali

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