Project Description

Who We Are

Engineers Without Borders USA is a non-profit international service organization committed to building a better world by empowering communities to meet their basic needs and equipping them with the skills to address future challenges. The University of Pittsburgh Student Chapter (EWB Pitt) is composed of both undergraduate and graduate students from a diverse range of disciplines, including engineering and non-engineering fields, ensuring that our projects meet the specific needs of each community. 

Currently, EWB Pitt is actively involved in two international projects: a sanitation initiative in Carijana, Bolivia, and a water distribution project in Tambanal and Ayaloma, Ecuador. This summer, we are excited to send travel teams to both communities to continue our work!

Bolivia - Carijana

Carijana is a remote community of 55 families located in the northern Bolivian Andes, around 1,000 feet above sea level. The lack of adequate sanitation, especially latrines and handwashing facilities, has led to frequent health issues such as fevers, infections, and diarrhea, which hinder the community's ability to farm and work. Farming is the primary livelihood for residents, and these health problems add both economic and social burdens. 

In 2018, Carijana reached out to EWB Pitt for help in designing and constructing personal latrines for each of the 55 households. In May 2019, our travel team conducted an assessment trip, meeting with community members, evaluating health practices, and reviewing the existing sanitation system. With input from the community, we developed a twin-pit pour-flush latrine design. To date, 55 latrines have been constructed through multiple trips—three remote trips in 2020, 2021, and 2024, and two in-person trips in 2022 and 2023.

This summer, we will return to Carijana for our final trip, where we will teach the community how to build handwashing stations using locally available materials and conduct maintenance training to ensure long-term sustainability. This trip will serve as the monitoring and evaluation phase of the project, where we will assess the impact of the latrines on the community’s health and well-being.

Ecuador - Tambanal and Ayaloma

Tambanal and Ayaloma are neighboring communities located in the mountains of south-central Ecuador, where the majority of residents are agricultural producers and ranchers. A water system originally installed in 1963 has fallen into disrepair, leaving the community without consistent access to water, particularly during the dry season. Additionally, much of the water is untreated, which leads to health issues, especially for young children.

EWB Pitt began its partnership with Tambanal and Ayaloma in Fall 2021. In spring 2022, we joined forces with the EWB Pittsburgh Professional Chapter to design a water distribution and disinfection system. In August 2024, we started construction on the system during our first implementation trip. The project will require two additional trips to complete the construction of the entire system, with the next trip scheduled for August 2025, pending materials funding.

The water sources are located over 2,000 feet above the communities, and the distribution network will span nearly four miles, serving hundreds of residents. Once complete, the system will provide safe, clean drinking water year-round, significantly improving the health and quality of life for all community members.

Where Your Donation Will Go

Your donation will directly support EWB Pitt’s travel teams and the successful implementation of these projects. For the Bolivia and Ecuador projects, funds will cover travel team expenses, including food, in-country travel, labor fees, travel mentors, and a translator. Additionally, donations help cover the costs of the construction materials, equipment, and their transportation to the remote community. 

If you'd like to learn more about our projects in Carijana and Tambanal or find out more about EWB Pitt, please visit our website at www.pittewb.org.