Project Background

Usalama was the first EWB-NY project for the chapter. Initially, the objective was to design a potable water distribution system for the village alongside Mwikali's Gift. The first assessment trip for the water project was made by Matt Sisul and Scott Snelling in January 2006. A second assessment trip by Matt Barber was taken a few months later in May. Matt accompanied the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign EWB chapter as they construction several V.I.P. latrines for the community while he continued testing and gathering data. Design and construction management of the system eventually passed hands to a local NGO, AMREF, in 2007.

During our two trips, there were obvious other needs in the village. One of the most pertinent was the deteriorated and overcrowded state of the village primary school. Between 1993 and 1997, one six-classroom building, one three-classroom building, an administrative building, kitchen, and several pit latrines were constructed by the parents with outside aid. Constructed with minimal funds the buildings quickly deteriorated. Despite the building quality, the passion and energy of the teachers and administrators, and the commitment of the parents, attracted more and more local children. In 2005, total enrollment at the school was 176 students (pre-primary + forms 1 - 8). Total enrollment in 2008 is 486 students, a 276% increase in three years!

And our next project was formed...