In recent months, countries have faced natural disasters that have required help and attention from people all over the world, prompting relief groups to pitch in with food, water and other supplies.
However, many people may not realize that assistance in building better infrastructures, providing clean water resources and improving technology is also needed.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life in developing countries.
A chapter was created at Cal State Long Beach this semester and currently has about 30 members.
American Society of Civil Engineers President Eric Villalobos said the organization could investigate a country as needed since ASCE and EWB often work together.
In previous years, other EWB chapters have traveled to Africa to design a footbridge that was later constructed there. Another chapter went to Honduras to donate computers and set up Internet connections in the locations they visited.
The entire process of starting and completing a project can take up to a year or two, according to EWB Executive Chair Matt Lander.
He said the group is currently trying to acquire a project. One option involves water sanitation but the chapter won’t know for sure until the proposal is approved.
Villalobos added that the chapter would also receive assistance from four to 10 professors.
The CSULB chapter is also in the process of starting new projects in Mexico and El Salvador, which would include collecting soil samples and assessing the living conditions.
Villalobos said that once the group has completed the project, members will follow up after about a year to a year and six months to assess whether further implementation is still necessary.
The club is open to all majors. For example, the organization currently has an economic major in charge of the budget and fundraising.
According to Lander, the Rotary Club will assist in funding, and added that the club will get funding from outside sources, not from CSULB.
Other chapters of EWB include San Diego State, Cal State Los Angeles, University of Southern California and UC Los Angeles. Cal State Fullerton is expected to start a chapter this fall, according to Villalobos.
EWB USA was started in 2002 and currently has 12,000 members nationwide, according to its Web site.