From Milk in Schools to Community Support: A Story of Impact

Sixty-seven years ago, at Shimoni Primary School in Kampala, children received free milk and biscuits during recess. Delivered in Tetra Classic 33 cl packages from Kenya, this initiative left a lasting impression, showcasing the potential of innovative packaging to support child nutrition.

Decades later, the Tetra Classic package gained further recognition when it was featured on Kenya's 10-shilling note during the 1983 “Milk for Children” programme. This innovation came full circle through the career of a former student of Shimoni, who went on to work at Tetra Pak in Lund, Sweden, for over 30 years.

In a recent initiative, Tetra Pak Kenya supported a school in Buwama, Uganda, through a milk donation for 80 primary school children. This project was led by Sammy Chepkwony, Sales Director East Africa, and Vib Sakaria of the Nyimusa Foundation. Their efforts contributed to the children’s nutrition and well-being, furthering Tetra Pak's commitment to corporate social responsibility. Vib is also an engaged and valued volunteer in our Skåne groups.

The Nyimusa Foundation expressed their gratitude in a letter of appreciation, recognising Tetra Pak Kenya’s generosity and its significant impact on the children’s lives. This collaboration exemplifies how partnerships can drive meaningful change in communities, strengthening both health and educational opportunities for future generations.

For more information about our initiatives and partnerships, please contact Engineers Without Borders Sweden.

Ingenjörsdagen 2024: A Celebration of Engineering and Innovation

Last week, we had the pleasure of participating in Ingenjörsdagen 2024 at Sergel Hub in Stockholm. The event, hosted by Ny Teknik and Ingenjörsdagen, brought together tech students, professional engineers, and innovators to explore cutting-edge ideas and drive meaningful collaborations.

Our Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) information table was a hub of activity throughout the day. Many attendees stopped by to learn more about our mission to create sustainable and inclusive engineering solutions.

Secretary General Caroline Edelstam had the opportunity to connect with Linus Persson, CEO of Ingenjörsdagen, and other inspiring changemakers. Our Chairperson Petter Wihlborg came by to say hello.

Meeting up with Linus Persson Co-founder of Ingenjörsdagen

The highlight of the day? Interesting talks and panels on stage. But also witnessing incredible tech innovations, including a live demonstration of a robot dog, which captured the imagination of many. Events like these fuel our passion for innovation and sustainability.

See our Linkedin post with a short clip featuring the robot dog

👏 A huge thank you to Ingenjörsdagen, Linus Persson, and Ny Teknik for organising such a fantastic event. Congratulations on an outstanding success!

✨ Let’s keep the inspiration going. Together, we can engineer a better world.

Mapping Success at the Missing Maps Mapathon

On November 26, 2024, Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) hosted a virtual Missing Maps Mapathon, bringing together 35 participants from across Sweden and beyond to contribute to humanitarian mapping efforts. The results are in, and we are thrilled to share that together, we mapped an incredible 3,150 buildings and made 3,282 edits in OpenStreetMap.

This time, our efforts focused on the Sivasagar District in Assam, India, a region heavily impacted by devastating floods earlier this year. By mapping critical infrastructure such as buildings and roads, we are helping local and international humanitarian organisations respond more effectively to crises and build resilience for the future.

A Fun and Impactful Evening

Whether mapping for the first time or joining as seasoned contributors, participants enjoyed collaborating remotely to make a difference. Groups joined from cities like Gothenburg, Luleå, and even Washington, D.C., showing the global reach of this initiative.

Participants of the Mapathon shared their positive feedback on the experience:

"This was fun :) Does Engineers Without Borders have activities in Finland?"
"We had a really good time here at Chalmers. Thank you for the event!"
"It was very nice to do this, totally different experience for me. I'd like to do it more!"
"Interesting experience, will continue!"

Why This Matters

Mapping in OpenStreetMap may seem like a small task, but it has a profound impact. Each edit contributes to creating a more accurate and accessible map for areas that are underrepresented. For regions like Sivasagar, these maps are vital tools for disaster preparedness, response, and long-term planning.

Thank You to Everyone Who Contributed!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for making this event such a success. Special appreciation goes to our fantastic event hosts and trainers who made the evening smooth and engaging. Together, we are helping bridge the "map gap" and making a lasting impact for communities in need.

Let’s keep the momentum going for future events. If you’re inspired by this effort, stay tuned for more Mapathons and other opportunities to contribute!

New collab with Architects Without Borders Sweden

Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) is pleased to announce a new collaboration with Architects Without Borders Sweden (ASF-Sweden) to advance sustainable and equitable development in the built environment. This partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise of both organisations to create impactful solutions for communities in need.

ASF-Sweden, founded in 2006, is a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political organisation dedicated to improving access to safe, sustainable, and equitable development of the built environment, both locally and globally. They work on projects ranging from placemaking in informal settlements to constructing essential community buildings, always emphasising participatory design in collaboration with local communities.

Emma Shepherdson, Chairperson of ASF-Sweden, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership:

“We are pleased to collaborate with Engineers Without Borders Sweden in contributing to the global effort toward sustainable and equitable development of the built environment. Together, we can combine our expertise in architecture and engineering to create meaningful solutions that empower communities and foster positive change through interdisciplinary teamwork.”

Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General of EWB-SWE, echoed this sentiment:

“We are excited to collaborate with Architects Without Borders Sweden to promote sustainable and equitable development. By combining our expertise in engineering and architecture, we can support communities with impactful and meaningful solutions where they are most needed. Architects Without Borders plays a crucial role in creating inclusive, culturally sensitive, and sustainable designs that empower communities and enhance the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations.”

This collaboration represents a significant step toward achieving shared goals of sustainability and equity in development projects. By uniting the strengths of both organisations, EWB-SWE and ASF-Sweden aim to implement projects that not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term community resilience and empowerment.

For more information about ASF-Sweden and their initiatives, please visit their website.

Thank You, Sandvik: Empowering Girls Through Education in Tanzania

Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) extends our heartfelt gratitude to Sandvik for their remarkable generosity in commemorating the Swedish industrial company Boliden AB's 100-year anniversary with a donation.

Sandvik’s donation will be instrumental in completing the final stages of the new Mavuno Upper Level Secondary High School for Girls in Karagwe, Kagera, Tanzania. The school building is almost ready, and the first students are expected to be welcomed next year. This contribution will greatly aid in preparing critical facilities such as computer rooms, reliable internet, and sustainable power—essential tools for a modern education.

At EWB-SWE, we strive to create lasting impact, not just for individuals but for entire communities. By empowering young women with access to education, we are helping to unlock their potential, while also driving positive change for their families and the society around them. Education has the power to transform lives, and initiatives like these ripple outward to improve health, livelihoods, and opportunities for many.

This project aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. Sandvik’s support strengthens our shared mission to create a more equitable and sustainable world, ensuring that the benefits of education extend well beyond the classroom.

Once again, thank you, Sandvik, for believing in the power of education and making a lasting impact. Together, we are paving the way for brighter futures, stronger communities, and a better world.

For more information about the school project in Karagwe and EWB-SWE's work, please visit our school project page!