Safer water for a primary school
Cornell’s chapter of Engineers in Action (EIA) — a nonprofit that works with rural partners to build critical infrastructure in underserved areas — is returning to Eswatini to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for communities in need. Building on a 2024 pilot program, this year’s team will construct a solar-powered water sanitation system at Herefords Primary School to deliver reliable, clean water for nearly 300 students, teachers and staff. Lack of clean water, due to systems that can dry up or become contaminated, contributes to frequent illness and school absenteeism. The new system aims to create a healthier learning environment where teachers can focus on education rather than securing water.
Guided by EIA’s WASH Corps engineers and in-country staff, the student team has spent months designing the system, planning construction, and preparing for cultural exchange. In Eswatini they will collaborate with community members and EIA partners on construction, train teachers and staff in operations and maintenance, and help promote proper hygiene habits among students. As with last year’s pilot, the team will share lessons learned to support future WASH efforts.
Safer water for a primary school
Cornell’s chapter of Engineers in Action (EIA) — a nonprofit that works with rural partners to build critical infrastructure in underserved areas — is returning to Eswatini to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for communities in need. Building on a 2024 pilot program, this year’s team will construct a solar-powered water sanitation system at Herefords Primary School to deliver reliable, clean water for nearly 300 students, teachers and staff. Lack of clean water, due to systems that can dry up or become contaminated, contributes to frequent illness and school absenteeism. The new system aims to create a healthier learning environment where teachers can focus on education rather than securing water.
Guided by EIA’s WASH Corps engineers and in-country staff, the student team has spent months designing the system, planning construction, and preparing for cultural exchange. In Eswatini they will collaborate with community members and EIA partners on construction, train teachers and staff in operations and maintenance, and help promote proper hygiene habits among students. As with last year’s pilot, the team will share lessons learned to support future WASH efforts.
- Hadas Ritz, Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell Engineering
- Lauren Stulgis, Student Project Teams, Cornell Engineering
- Community Partner: Engineers in Action
Providing seed support for a wide range of community-engaged learning projects