April 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Hewes
College of Engineering
(805) 756-6402
ahewes@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Engineers Without Borders
Make a World of Difference in Thailand
SAN LUIS OBISPO--A pair of Cal Poly environmental engineering students traveled to Thailand last month to collect water samples at a mountain village where residents are concerned about the possibility water-borne illnesses, especially during the rainy season.
Working
as volunteers for Cal Poly’s chapter of Engineers Without
Borders, Eileen Mick and Michael Borger collected water samples
from the village of Mae Nam Khun, and ran a variety of tests on
site to characterize the drinking water quality. They also checked
out the community’s water source and distribution system,
looking for potential sources for contamination to the community’s
drinking water supply, such as upstream agriculture, villages, or
industrial practices.
The Cal Poly project is part of a larger EWB effort in Thailand. The Cal Poly students joined two other EWB chapters during their construction phase. Students and professionals from Seattle University came together to build primary school dormitories, while the UC Santa Barbara team built the adjoining septic system.
New this year at Cal Poly, EWB is a national organization established in 2000 to design and build projects that bring sustainable, long-term benefits to impoverished communities around the globe. The Cal Poly club has 64 members who are also involved in monitoring water quality in Morro Bay and examining water run-off on campus.
“What I’ve found is that EWB offers a great opportunity for personal growth and leadership experience,” said Mick. “It is a way to make a difference now while we’re still in school.”
For more information, see www.ewb.calpoly.edu.
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Editors, please note: Photos of the students in Thailand are available. Please contact Susan McDonald, Cal Poly Public Affairs, (805) 756-7109; slmcdona@calpoly.edu.