Students volunteer in Africa through Engineers Without Borders

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Beaulne_Denis.jpg” caption=”Denis Beaulne spent last summer working with Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) near Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. Photo courtesy of EWB.”]How did you spend your summer vacation? Two members of the McMaster chapter of Engineers Without Borders worked on development projects in Africa, and will share their experiences with the McMaster community on Wednesday, Oct. 10

Daniel Langdon worked in Saboba, a town in north-eastern Ghana, where he ran workshops with the district assembly, which is similar to the municipal government in Canada.

He has been a member of McMaster EWB for several years, serving as an executive member and volunteering at countless events. He was thrilled to have the opportunity to work overseas.

“The issue of poverty is so complex, and I am finding that some of the absolutes that I thought I had are far more ambiguous,” said Langdon. “The most important thing that I have learned is that Ghanaians know much more than I do about the development of their country. Despite extraordinary difficulties, the nation is dedicated to the development of their country and the eradication of poverty.”

Denis Beaulne spent last summer working with Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) near Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. He worked on a food security project, conducting an assessment of different food processing and preservation methods as well as assessing marketing opportunities for different crops grown in the area. Beaulne is also the current co-president of McMaster EWB for the 2007-08 school year.

In addition to short-term summer volunteers, McMaster EWB also offers long-term overseas volunteer positions. Boris Martin, a PhD student in materials engineering, the chapter's most experienced member, is working in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. He will be staying there for 14 months.

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,” says Martin. “EWB raises the bar of academic excellence, and this will definitely translate in an increased value of the McMaster Engineering degree.”

Beaulne and Langdon will give presentations about their experiences on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the John Hodgins Engineering Building, Room 328. All are welcome to attend.

Their blogs can be found here and Boris Martin's blog can be found here.

For more information about the McMaster chapter of Engineers Without Borders, the overseas volunteer program, or to apply to volunteer next summer, please e-mail ewb@mcmaster.ca.