Greetings
Welcome to the Albuquerque Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) website.
Please use the sign up box on the upper right side of this webpage to receive announcements.
Contact Jennifer bigredfoote@hotmail.com for access to past meeting minutes if you are a member and need the password.
Next Meeting
Wednesday Feb 22
location information coming soon.
Remember, EWB membership is calendar year so it is time to renew. If you want to join or rejoin go to the www.ewb-usa.org website.
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NOVEMBER UPDATE ON ALBUQERQUE EWB PROFESSIONAL CHAPTER PROJECTS
Ramah Water Quality Project:
We have collected water quality data from over 80 sites in the area of the Ramah Navajo Reservations in 5 different sampling trips. Analyses have been made at Hall Environmental Labs, Los Alamos National Labs and in the field. The overall goals of the project are 1) identify stock well water sources that are dangerous to human health; 2) assist private well owners in assessing water quality of their household wells; 3) assist the Ramah Navajo Chapter in assessing the water resources in and near the Reservation; and 4) train a cadre of adults and students from the Pine Hill School to sample and monitor the stock well water quality after the EWB project is complete;. Current efforts include building a GIS map of the water data for use by the Chapter; 2) presenting lectures on water science (hydrochemistry; water treatment; public health) to students at Pine Hill School; 3) expanding the scope of the project to include lands on the Zuni Pueblo. A similar program may be launched on others parts of the Navajo Reservation with the assistance of the Navajo Nation EPA. Assistance in future water sampling, GIS analysis, education, and project management is needed.
Contact: Malcolm Siegel (msiegel51@yahoo.com).
Ramah Solar Project:
The professional Chapter is working with the UNM Chapter in their EWB solar project. This includes servicing the batteries for the photovoltaic system previously installed in the Weaver’s Hogan; and 2) installing a solar thermal heating systems in the other hogan at the school. This project is underway and may be completed this year or in the Spring.
Contact Vance Ley (avley@msn.com).
Ramah Greenhouse Project:
We are working with the Pine Hill School and the Pine Hill Health Clinic to rebuild a large greenhouse at the school farm. The greenhouse will use rain water harvesting and drip irrigation to raise traditional food crops that will be used at the school and potentially sold to community members. We hope to coordinate this effort with a school-based nutrition program. This project is in its opening stages and assistance is sought in all aspects.
Contact: Vance Ley (avley@msn.com).
Ramah Solar Shower Project:
We are teaming with a local non-profit organization, the Oso Vista Ranch, in a project designed to build a solar shower for use at a summer camp and prototype design for solar showers that can be used in remote camps on the reservation. If successful, the project could lead to a local business. Assistance is needed in all aspects of this project.
Contact: Vance Ley (avley@msn.com).
Ramah Special Olympics Project:
The Navajo Special Olympics is an annual event for disadvantaged Navajo Youth (developmental and physical) that focuses on the relationship between Navajo people and their horses. EWB was approached with a request to design and build a safe ‘bucking bronco’ for the event. A simple design has been located and we are looking for members to takke leadership roles, raise funds, buy materials, and construct the ride.
Contact: Malcolm Siegel (msiegel51@yahoo.com).
Water Treatment in San Borja, Bolivia
The Professional Chapter is partnering with the EWB University of New Mexico Student Chapter in the Tsimane Development Project. This project, also known as the “Bolivia Project” aims to assist an indigenous group called the Tsimane in Bolivia with problems related to drinking water and communications. Our Chapter is trying to look for solutions for problem in the public water system in the town of San Borja. Help is need in almost all aspects of this project, including a project lead.
Contact: Kelly Isaacson (kisaacson@dbstephens.com) or Justin Jayne (justin.jayne@gmail.com).
Nepal Project
The village of Barobot-Katunje is a village of approximately 2500 people (400 households) located in the Dhading District of Nepal, approximately 17 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Room-to-Read (a non-governmental organization) has been active in Barobot-Katunje and is in the process of building a new Lower Secondary School (Shree Mahakali Ki-san Lower Secondary School). Currently, the school and village do not have a dependable supply of clean water. The existing supply is an ephemeral spring located near the village. The project focus may be shifting on ther next trip. Contact Gundar Petersen (gpeterson@dbstephens.com) for more information.
East Mountain High School Environmental Education:
The East Mountain High School, located in Sandia Park is a charter school with an emphasis on environmental education. The school is seeking volunteers in the Spring semester to mentor small groups of students involved in Junior year environmental research projects. Topic areas include: Alternative Energy (wind turbines, solar power and algae-produced bio-diesel), Food Security (greenhouse, garden and orchards), Water (water harvesting, water quality), and Biodiversity (wildlife and vegetation monitoring and insect collecting). There are a several ways to volunteer: work with a small group of students or give enrichment lectures on environmental science topics relevant to the school curriculum. Other volunteering opportunities may exist depending on your interests.
Contact: Malcolm Siegel (msiegel51@yahoo.com).
Greenhouse and Community Garden at Albuquerque Charter School
We have been asked to assist in design and construction of a greenhouse to be built at a new Charter School in the South Broadway area of Albuquerque. The school has money for construction and needs labor. More details to follow.
Standing Meeting Times
The meetings of the Albuquerque Professional Chapter of EWB are typically the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Alternating months will be dedicated to the General meeting and Project specific meetings.
