Courtesy of Engineers without Boarders at Pitt
PITTSBURGH (PTTP) – Working on creative and sustainable engineering projects at three
locations around the world, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) at the University of Pittsburgh is
making an environmental dent.
Currently, the student-led organization has active initiatives in Ecuador and Bolivia as well as a
local partnership in Lawrence — Plant to Plate, a student group that focuses on providing the
community with fresh produce.
Unlike most other collegiate EWB chapters, the Pitt group has three simultaneously running
projects. The club credits its continued success with its expanding membership. “When I first
got to this campus freshman year, we had maybe 40 total members. Now, we have almost 150
people who come at least twice a semester,” a member said.
The two international projects are focused on sanitation. The Ecuador initiative focuses on
increasing access to clean water, whereas the Bolivia project aims to ensure appropriate sanitary
facilities. “Our project in Bolivia is a sanitation project. As of last November, we have built 55
latrines,” said one student. Members stress the need to make sure that their own learning does not
happen at the expense of the communities they serve, so they plan their projects and work
collaboratively.
They also get a chance to travel to these places and use their engineering skills practically, while
also experiencing the nation’s culture. “That was probably one of the most rewarding
experiences I’ve been on so far,” one member said, “Just traveling to that community was unlike
any other experience I’ve ever had.”
Far more than technical skills, members of EWB at Pitt understand that their work reaches far
beyond infrastructure. “A lot of people look at it as a resume builder,” one student said. “But I
think it’s important to understand that it affects a whole community. The main goal is not for
ourselves—it’s about making a lasting impact.”
EWB at Pitt remains committed to building relationships with the communities they support.
Individuals wishing to know more or support their work can find it at pittewb.org.