January saw the arrival of three engineering students from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut, along with Dr. Bruce Berdanier, Dean of Fairfield’s School of Engineering. For two of the students, it was their first time out of the United States. For all of them, it was their first Engineers Without Borders trip.

Dr. Berdanier started the engineering collaboration with the College in 2009, when he was on the faculty of South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, South Dakota. “I want the students to get real life experience while helping people in developing countries help themselves” — in this case, by providing drinkable water for Carmen Pampa.

Engineers Without Borders started by analyzing the current water systems with the College and community leaders, and together with students from Fairfield and SDSU, developed a non-mechanical clean water system that a rural community could maintain. Over the past eight years, students and advisers with Engineers Without Borders clubs from both universities installed sand filter and chlorinators.

“Working with the Bolivian students, you see how much we have in common, how education makes a difference no matter where you are from,” said Ronnie Chasse, a student at Fairfield University.
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