Bringing Light to Education – Fundraising for Solar Panel Installation

We are excited to share the latest update on our ongoing project to support the Mavuno boarding school for girls in Tanzania. The solar panels have arrived at the school and we are now fundraising for the installation of the solar panels.

Since 2016, Mavuno has operated a secondary school (grades 8-11) that has become a great hope and education for many girls in the region. About half of the students attend through a scholarship program, enabling girls from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans, to pursue their education

The boarding school provides a safe environment, protecting the girls from potential assaults during commutes at dawn and dusk. The school has a stellar performance in the 2023 national exams, ranking first in Karagwe and 36th out of over 5,000 schools in Tanzania.

A Vision for the Future

Mavuno is now expanding the school to include grades 12 and 13, preparing students for university. This expansion requires reliable electricity, as the local Tanzanian grid is both unstable and costly. To address this, we have procured a photovoltaic (PV) system comprising 60 solar panels (30kW total), inverters, and batteries. These components have already been purchased and delivered, as highlighted in the images in our newsletter.

The Next Step: Installation Fundraising 

The next critical phase is the installation and commissioning of the solar panels. A local company will handle this work, with Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) providing procurement assistance and financial support. We are now fundraising for this stage and need your help to bring this project to completion.

Why Your Support Matters  💚

The solar panel installation is not just about providing electricity; it's about ensuring that these bright young minds have the resources they need to succeed. Stable electricity will enhance the learning environment, enabling the use of modern educational tools and resources. It will also reduce the school's operational costs, allowing more funds to be directed towards student scholarships and educational materials.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

Your contribution can make a significant impact. By supporting the installation of the solar panels, you are helping to create a sustainable and empowering learning environment for the girls at Mavuno School. Together, we can ensure that these students continue to excel and prepare for a brighter future.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Let's bring light to education and help these girls achieve their dreams. Donate Now to support the solar panel installation at Mavuno School. Every contribution brings us one step closer to our goal. For more updates and information on our projects, please visit the support us page on our website or subscribe to our newsletter.

Volunteering Week 2024: Honouring the Impact of Volunteers Globally

From Monday 3 June to Sunday 9 June, we join the global community in acknowledging 40 years of Volunteering Week. This week-long event honours the invaluable contributions of volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to make a positive impact in our communities. It is an opportunity to recognise their efforts and highlight the benefits of volunteering.

The Importance of Volunteering
Volunteering is not just about giving back; it also enhances the well-being of those who volunteer. Research has shown that helping others can boost your mood and improve mental health. Additionally, volunteering offers opportunities to learn new skills, gain valuable experiences, and build confidence.

Volunteering Week: A Global Acknowledgement
Originally established in the UK in 1984, Volunteering Week has grown into an international event, celebrated every year starting on the first Monday of June. It is a time to acknowledge and thank volunteers for their contributions to society. The celebration includes various activities, from open days and online events to in-person gatherings, all aimed at celebrating and recognising volunteers.

EWB-SWE: Honouring Our Volunteers
At Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE), we are immensely grateful for our incredible volunteers. Whether they are students in our student groups, professionals in our competence groups, specialists working on our projects, or board members and other organisational roles, their dedication is the backbone of our success. Their commitment to sustainable engineering and community improvement aligns perfectly with our mission to address global challenges.

A Heartfelt Thank You
As we acknowledge the 40 year anniversary of Volunteering Week, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers. Your dedication and hard work are making a significant difference in our communities and the world. Volunteering not only helps others but also enriches your own life. We are proud and grateful to have such committed individuals as part of EWB-SWE.

Rörkraft becomes new Partner of Engineers Without Borders Sweden

Engineering firm Rörkraft is partnering with Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE), contributing to the organisation's humanitarian engineering projects. EWB-SWE focuses on innovative solutions to address challenges related to inequality and sustainable global development. Rörkraft, headquartered in Lund with offices in Stockholm and Karlshamn, brings valuable expertise in water purification, energy transition, defence, research and development, industry, and environment.

Håkan Wessel, Rörkraft CEO

"We are thrilled and proud to have found a partner whose sustainability ambitions align closely with Rörkraft's technical expertise," said Håkan Wessel, CEO of Rörkraft.

"It has always been important for us to contribute to society. This time, it feels like we have hit the mark perfectly. If our efforts can help improve and create sustainability, it is naturally very beneficial," added Clas Wollberg, Chairman of Rörkraft.

"We warmly welcome Rörkraft as a partner and sponsor for our humanitarian engineering work. Rörkraft's profile is exciting, and we greatly appreciate companies engaging in developmental collaborations to help us tackle climate change and find sustainable solutions," said Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden. "We hope Rörkraft's involvement will inspire more companies to join in supporting our mission."

Rörkraft operates in fields crucial to our future: water purification, energy transition, defence, research and development, industry, and environment. These sectors are marked by a focus on sustainability and rapid technological development.

Recently, Rörkraft celebrated its 25th anniversary—a fantastic journey that continues to accelerate as the demand for new technical solutions for a sustainable society grows.

We are delighted to welcome Rörkraft as a new partner of Engineers Without Borders Sweden.

Update on EWB Norway's Humanitarian Project in Gaza

A month ago, we shared information about Engineers Without Borders Norway/Ingeniører Uten Grenser’s (IUG) humanitarian project in Gaza. The project aims to address the devastating impacts on the civilian population caused by the ongoing conflict, focusing on providing essential resources like water, electricity, and healthcare.

We would like to keep you informed about their progress and how their initiatives are making a real difference. Here are some recent updates from EWB Norway:

Recent Updates:

02/05/2024: Engineers Without Borders has joined the “Tech People for Peace in Gaza” campaign. Secretary General Marianne Nilsen Sturmair delivered a speech at a rally on Eidsvolls plass on 7 May. Many organisations attended this event. The initiative comes from tech industry employees advocating for more societal actors to use their voices.

29/04/2024: A programme is being developed to support young people who worked remotely before the conflict. By establishing a shared workspace with basic equipment, solar-powered electricity, and internet access, EWB Norway aims to help restore income sources for freelancers in Rafah.

26/04/2024: Solar panels installed in Rafah are functioning well and providing stable electricity to internally displaced people.

24/04/2024: At EWB Norway's annual General Assembly, it was announced that NITO is supporting the effort with a donation of 100,000 NOK!

"EngineerForGaza is about meeting basic needs like access to drinking water and electricity. Supporting engineering and technology for positive societal development is at the core of NITO's work. Through this initiative by Engineers Without Borders, we can contribute to water systems and solar panels that aid the severely affected population in Gaza. NITO supports the initiative and urges our network to join this concrete effort," said NITO President Trond Markussen.

19/04/2024: Important work to provide electricity in one of the many provisional refugee camps in Rafah has been completed. Watch the video of the installation of solar panels and electrical wiring for lights and phone charging through this link. It is impressive what is being achieved on the ground in Gaza under extremely difficult conditions with very limited access to resources. The funds we collect here in Norway enable us to make a difference together. Warm thanks for all support to #ingeniørdugnad for Gaza

18/04/2024: Feedback indicates that the rehabilitated well is working well and now provides drinking water to even more people as more internally displaced persons have returned to Northern Gaza.

15/04/2024: Great news! The Solar Energy Cluster donates their fees and encourages all participants in the Solar Energy Conference to support #EngineerForGaza.

08/04/2024: Approximately half of Gaza's population has been displaced to Rafah, an area already densely populated before the conflict. Emad, the director of Field Ready Türkiye, confirmed by phone today that the initiative to install solar panels and secure electricity for several refugees in Rafah has begun.

08/04/2024: Multiconsult donates 100,000 NOK to #EngineerForGaza and encourages everyone to contribute to this important work. Thank you very much! This means a lot for the concrete efforts we can make together to help people in desperate need of essential resources.

04/04/2024: We are in regular contact with our engineering colleagues, and depending on the availability of equipment, solar-powered water systems and electricity for other essential uses will be prioritised. Another goal of this specific effort is to ensure that around 500 people in a provisional refugee camp in Rafah have electricity in tents and shelters for light in the dark, as well as charging opportunities for mobile phones.

01/04/2024: The vital work of rehabilitating the well has been completed, and more than 500 families in Northern Gaza City now have access to clean water.

Please get in touch with EWB Norway if you have any questions about their project or would like to support it in some way. Follow the links below for more information >>>

Engineers Without Borders Sweden and Chile Partner to Provide Water Treatment Solutions in Valparaíso

Stockholm, Sweden – In an important international collaboration, Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) has initiated a collaboration with Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile) to initiate a wastewater treatment project for the vulnerable communities of Valparaíso, Chile. This partnership focuses on the development of new water treatment plants specifically designed for areas that lack official sewage and water regulation.

Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden and Tucapel Jiménez Fuentes, Chile's ambassador to Sweden, AT Chile’s Embassy in Sweden.

"This project is important because it can lead to positive changes in people's daily lives. We look forward to the results of the pilot project on access to water and water security, and hope that the exchange of knowledge between our countries can show the way and be a driving force for future larger collaborations, with the goal of creating sustainable communities. We already have good relations between our countries, and I am sure that this form of knowledge exchange will further strengthen our ties," says Tucapel Jiménez Fuentes, Chile's ambassador to Sweden.

The project is set in Camp Parcela 11, located in the Forestal sector of Viña del Mar. This area, home to nearly 1,500 residents, is marked by geographical and infrastructural challenges that exacerbate its isolation and environmental issues. The primary concern addressed by this initiative is the effective management and treatment of greywater, with most homes currently relying on cesspools that pose significant risks of overflow and subsequent contamination with the risk of diseases spreading.

"Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet many communities are left behind in our global efforts to provide sustainable water solutions. This project represents a significant step towards changing that narrative in Valparaíso, where we can implement practical solutions and make a tangible difference," said Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General of Engineers Without Borders Sweden.

By focusing on the diversion of grey- and rainwater to environmentally safer discharge points, the project aims to mitigate the environmental impact while enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Camp Parcela 11. The collaboration between EWB-SWE and ISF Chile exemplifies the power of international cooperation in addressing critical human needs through engineering solutions to achieve the global sustainability goals.

The project has been made possible through funding from the Ramboll Foundation.

For more information about this project and other initiatives by Engineers Without Borders Sweden, please contact Carin Balfe Arbman at the details provided above.

For press photos please follow this link

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0k8t13w2os31kde5t3qla/AKUi_c4PTmNsBZW8xqGhKlA?rlkey=buak1hltnvnl119sffaoehhe9&dl=0

About Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE)

Engineers Without Borders Sweden is committed to addressing global challenges through engineering. We work towards a sustainable future where engineering enables underprivileged communities to meet their basic human needs. EWB-SWE actively engages in projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, striving for long-term impact in communities around the world. www.ewb-swe.org

About Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile)

Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile (ISF Chile) is a foundation established in 2017, focused on enhancing the social role of engineering to improve community living standards in vulnerable contexts. ISF Chile mobilizes engineering talent across diverse disciplines, collaborating on impactful projects with universities, companies, and local governments. The foundation is an active participant in the global Engineers Without Borders network. https://isf-chile.org/