Project Update
In January we had a joint fundraising event with ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). Below I have pasted a recent article from ASCE’s Met Section about the event which also conveniently includes the most recent project update and what is next on our agenda.
Joint Event with EWB-NY Helps Raise Funds for Matunda Project
Back in January 2009, the Met Section hosted its first joint event with the New York Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-NY), becoming one of the first local sections to hold a joint event with ASCE’s newest partnership organization. The joint event discussed some of ASCE’s behind-the-scenes work on Capitol Hill to help shape the infrastructure portion of the economic stimulus package and also helped to raise $1,000 for EWB-NY’s initiative to design and construct a new potable water system for the village of Matunda in Kenya.
Later that month, EWB-NY’s Matunda Team made an initial implementation trip to the Lugari district of Kenya, completing another phase in a project that aims to provide safe, clean drinking water using a sustainable means and a wastewater management system to a hospital in the area that serves a community of over 20,000 persons. The team of young energetic engineers, led by Yurintzy Estrada of AECOM alongside Steven Morse and Adam Trescott of Louis Berger, set about breaking the ground for the early stages of well construction. The team of engineers was accompanied by Tania Zapata and Antonio Camacho of TLA Productions, a team of filmmakers working on a documentary film of the project.
During this first implementation trip, the team drilled a 400-foot deep borehole at the hospital and conducted a 24-hour step draw-down pump test to assess the yield and to properly size an electrical submersible pump. Next, the team installed a temporary water holding tank for use in conjunction with the pump that provides water at a rate of 8.8 gallons per minute.
With the technical work well underway under the watchful and excited eyes of the children and village people, the team took time to introduce the community to Kamadep—a Kenya-based group that specializes in community outreach and education for water system management. Through its network of consultants, the alliance with Kamadep will serve to further the education and knowledge of the proper use of the new system. Kamadep has already held meetings to explain the importance of the project and the role and responsibility of the community to the ultimate success of the water system and will provide further training throughout the year. This partnership promises to be very beneficial for the two groups involved but mainly for the community as it will ensure the sustainability of the project.
The next phase of the project will include the construction of a plumbing and drainage system as well as the installation of a water treatment system and a permanent water holding tank. The entire team of volunteers devotes a lot of time and effort to plan and raise funds to ensure that this community of people in Kenya will have a better quality of life. The Matunda Team realized the work that lies before them and looks forward to the challenge of bringing clean drinking water to the people of Matunda.
Here is the link to the article: http://www.ascemetsection.org/content/view/424/250/
May 28th Wine Tasting Event
Engineers Without Borders invites you to an intimate rooftop wine tasting. It’s the perfect setting to watch the moon rise, meet new people and raise money for a great cause. There will be 6 wines to taste with cheese and chocolate pairings.
$35 Donation to attend.
This event is open to anyone over 21. Space is limited so please RSVP at the attached link.
http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/cxq3ykms2pfvpe8wf
Date:May 28th, 2009, 6:30pm
Location: Downtown Brooklyn – 4 blocks from Jay Street Borough Hall Station A, C, F or 2 blocks from Borough Hall Station M, R, 4, 5, 2, 3
We thank Smith & Vine (wine shop) on Smith Street in Brooklyn for their generous donation of the wine for our event.
Please e-mail vanessa@ewbny.org if you have any questions.
Upcoming Event on May 6th
The Matunda team will be having their first joint event with the Metropolis Ensemble on May 6th 2009 at Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue from 7pm.
“Metropolis Ensemble and Artistic Director/Conductor Andrew Cyr present a concert forum of new chamber music from three gifted composers, Jakub Ciupinski, Vivian Fung, and Cristina Spinei that features live, interactive demonstrations of their musical sources of inspiration.”
This concert is a preview to the upcoming REVERB concert by the Ensemble and a preview to what is expected at our event with them in September.
To RSVP for and to get more information on this event go to: http://www.facebook.com/l/859e7;http:/metropolisensemble.org/concerts/2009/glimpses/
Space is going very quickly so those who want to attend should RSVP as soon as possible.
Come join us as we tag along.
Habana Outpost Fundraiser
Thursday, 9/25, the EWB-NY Matunda team held a successful fundraiser at the Habana Outpost in Brooklyn. The Matunda team raised over $1,100 in one night with this event. The fundraiser included a silent auction, raffle prizes, socially conscious films, and a great opportunity to meet the team members and speak with them about the project’s progress.
Habana Outpost is an “ecoeatery” with a colorful atmosphere and great Cuban food and mojitos. The restaurant was a good fit for an EWB fundraiser because of its efforts to be sustainable, including composting, solar panels, catching rainwater to reduce runoff, biodegradable compostable place-settings, and others. (See the photo of their courtyard above).
The EWB-NY Matunda team wishes to express our sincere thanks to Habana Outpost for supporting our efforts!
Assessment Team is Back from Kenya
A few weeks ago our assessment team came back from their trip to Kenya where they accomplished all the objectives that were set for the trip. Now that we know what we are dealing with we have started brainstorming the best ways to solve The Matunda Health Center’s clean water issues.
Project Update
As of our last meeting on March 4th, we have decided to schedule the first assessment trip within 2 – 3 weeks after receiving the official approval from EWB – USA, hopefully no later than spring. This trip will include typical assessment activities. During our next meeting we will discuss all the action items for this trip. Meanwhile, the hydro-geological survey is underway, with Simon (who will perform the work in Kenya before we arrive) having begun preliminary work this past week.
Project Update (February 25, 2008)
We have been receiving constant feedback from one of our contacts on site, Chris, and and have been in constant communication with the two possible drilling contractors in Kenya. Iana and Steve have spearheaded the efforts and we have finally decided to more formerly revamp the assessment trip. The trip, which included drilling, will be split into two trips: the first one hopefully no later than spring will include typical assessment activities; and the second (perhaps in the fall) will include drilling. We will discuss the new tentative plans in the next meeting on March 4th. Hope to see you all there!
Project Update (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)
Due to the difficult political and social situation in Kenya that resulted after the presidential elections on Dec 2007, the team has postponed the first assessment trip indefinetly. We are waiting for the our contact on the grounds to give us a green light on safety and for our drilling contractor to verify that he is able to mobilize to the area and perform the work. We will reschedule our trip when we receive this information, hopefully before the beginning of April, which is when the wet season starts and drilling becomes nearly impossible.Hoping for the best for the people in Kenya… we’ll keep you posted….