cphi retreat water and public health december 2, 2010
Post on 19-Dec-2015
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Community Impact: Global Water Crisis1.1 billion people
worldwide have inadequate access to clean water
2.6 billion people worldwide have inadequate access to sanitation
1.8 million child deaths occur each year as a result of diarrhea
OpportunitiesCommunities in developing countries benefit
from shared resources beyond their bordersStudents from the U.S. benefit from global
engagement in a cross cultural setting
Different Goals
Primary goal for community is to improve health with a sustainable water and sanitation system
Primary goal for students and the sponsoring academic institution is a global education
How can these goals be achieved with a positive outcome for everyone involved?
Water supply more amenable to merging goals than other community development projects
What’s Needed? - InitiallyRequest for assistance
from an established NGO working in community
Proposed project small enough in scale
Community willing to contribute their own resources
What’s Needed? - PreparationPreparation and Groundwork for Community
and students before implementation:Assessment trip to understand design
constraints and begin relationshipPreparation of a Memo of Understanding
outlining roles and commitmentsCommunity needs to organize its leadership
and resources for long term sustainabilityStudents need to participate in design and
learn about cultural context in a course
What’s Needed? - Implementation
NGO criticalStudents need to be hosted
in communityDaily communication at all
stagesSharing of technical design
attributes
What’s Needed? – Follow-upCommunity needs technical oversight from
NGO’s representative in communication with Mentor/student team to complete project
Students need to provide feedback on their experience and the opportunity to learn on impact of design
Should be independent evaluation of project after complete and operating.
Mission & ObjectivesMission:
Improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in the developing world through sustainable technology and engineering, and through engaging students in learning about and service to civil society.
Program Objectives:
1. Teach students about the challenges in the developing world and the role that appropriate technology and sustainable engineering plays in this setting.
2. Work closely with local communities to responsibly provide useful technical solutions to individuals and communities in the developing world.
Organization SEAS Community Technology and Outreach Initiatives
“office” Local initiatives Global initiatives
Departmental and faculty involvement Teaching Leading field projects
Student organizations Integral to the learning and projects model Student leadership experiences
Oversight and administration SEAS Office of Academic Programs/Associate Dean Faculty Advisory Committee Director Staff
Projects
Clean water delivery & sanitation systems
Honduras 2006-presentCameroon 2007-presentIndia 2009-presentGuatemala 2009-present
Problem Solving/Learning
EAS 296 - Sustainable Development in Cameroon
• EAS 297 - Sustainable Development: Technology for Water & Sanitation
Classroom Preparation - EngineeringEngineering for Rural Water and Sanitation
Water demand and supply; Public health Spring Development and Protection
Engineering for Sustainable DevelopmentAppropriate Technology in International Development Practical Field Engineering
Classroom Preparation - Cameroon OrientationPresentation by Travel MedicineReview of Cameroon history and culture with focus on
Kob-Tudig regionMeta language Team work in cross-cultural setting
Community Impact
- Dramatic increase in clean water availability
- Perceivably decreased soil erosion and increased quality of environment
- Improved communication capabilities and access to information
- Increased access to information and educational resources
- Inspired greater desire to complete education and to advance to senior secondary schooling and beyond
- Reduced incidence of waterborne diseases in the community
- Reduced time used for water hauling, increasing time available for productive tasks
- Increased individuals’ ambulatory ability leading to happier and more productive living
Infrastructure Education Health and Livelihood
Key factors to success Strong NGOGuidance and clear leadership of project
mentorsCommitted community. But how to gauge
that from the beginning?Long-term commitment to community, NGOAbility, willingness to revise project tracking
methodology on-the-fly
ConclusionsCommunity and students have an exciting,
sometimes life-changing exchange – many say time too short
Sustainable projects are possible but there is a risk of failure if NGO is not able to cover for the time student/mentor team is not present
Academic institution needs to have a long-term program both for students and communities