[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/eng-wo-borders.jpg” caption=”Robert Borzychowski and Marka Jansen are heading to Africa with Engineers Without Borders this summer. “]While most undergraduates head home for summer, two members of McMaster's chapter of Engineers Without Borders are on their way to Africa.

Marka Jansen (entering chemical and bioengineering IV) has been placed in Tamale, Ghana, will work on a water sanitation project with Opportunities Industrialization Centres International (OIC), a local non-government organization.

Robert Borzychowski (entering mechanical engineering and society V) will be stationed in Chapita, Zambia, taking part in a threefold project: he will assist in demonstrations and the promotion of drip-irrigation systems at rural test locations, work on field layout design to maximize water efficiency and minimize soil loss, and will help select sites for stream diversion to be used for irrigation.

Borzychowski is working with long-term volunteer Paul Slomp, who McMaster EWB has been co-supporting with another EWB chapter since the beginning of the 2005/2006 school year.

“Before joining EWB about one and a half years ago, I knew poverty existed and that it was bad but could not recognize the threats associated with delivering aid without a focus on long term development,” says Borzychowski. “The education I've received with the club has awakened me to such issues. I am hoping that my [overseas placement] experience living and working with the families that Engineers Without Borders is trying to help, will give me a new appreciation and insight of the complications and the needs in international development.”

Boris Martin is a PhD student in the materials engineering department, and the chapter's most experienced member. He is the recipient of the GSA Honour Society Award and the David Alan Reid Kay Memorial Prize for his work within EWB along with his leadership in the Global Citizenship conference.

“I've been extremely impressed by the level of maturity each of the McMaster chapter members has shown in the quest for better understanding of global issues. EWB raises the bar of academic excellence,” says Martin. “And this will definitely translate in an increased value of the McMaster Engineering degree.”

Jansen and Borzychowski will be keeping online blogs during their placements to share their experiences. Click here to find links to their blogs and other accounts of McMaster's past and present long term overseas volunteers.

Given its charitable structure, the organization relies heavily on support from the community to further its cause.

For more information about the McMaster chapter of Engineers Without Borders, its high school outreach programs, community events, fundraising and social activities, and for inquiries on sponsorship and donations, email mac@ewb.ca or visit http:// mcmaster.ewb.ca.