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Better Futures for Generations (BFG). SPOTLIGHT. Engineers Without Borders Rwanda (EWB-Rwanda) is a Non-Governmental Org
Newsletter No. 12, March 2018

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Oliver Nachevski EWB-I President

EWB International Global Forum 2018! Following the great outcome of the 2017 Global Forum in London several Engineers Without Borders – International (EWB-I) Member Associations (MA) expressed an interest in organizing a follow-up in their countries. This has encouraged the EWB-I Board to announce a call for MAs interested in hosting the annual Global Forum between August and November 2018. Is your MA interested in supporting the training and networking of EWB-I MAs? Does your MA have the member support and resources to support the Global Forum? We are waiting for your applications. EWB International is hiring! Following the decisions from the EWB-I Board meeting, a call for new Secretariat and new Treasurer is opened. Candidates are

welcome from the whole EWB-I network. The contract location is global and virtual. EWB International is growing! Several new countries from different parts of the world applied to become new members and the membership committee has supported them in the process and approved their applications. The EWB-I Annual Report 2017 has been prepared! It is proudly presenting the achievements in 2017 along with the very good financial results. With the strong positive energy by the Board and the MAs, I am sure this year 2018 will be more successful. Sincerely, Oliver Nachevski EWB-I President

EWB Project financed by EU Aid Volunteers Initiative

Mission of EWB-DK in Sierra Leone for inspection of the new water tower in Pottor, Freetown

Engineers Without Borders Denmark together with EWB Sierra Leone, EWB Sweden, EWB Norway and other partner organizations have secured funding for a new project, financed by EU Aid Volunteers (a part of the Europa Commission). The purpose of the project is to build internal capacity and a joint platform/tools in order for the partners to be certified and hence able to send and receive volunteers under the EU volunteer programme. The objective of the project is to build capacity within the Nordic partners and their third country partners to form part of the European Union Aid Volunteers Initiative (EUAVI), facilitating the deployment of volunteers as certified sending and hosting organizations. Furthermore, the project aims to identify needs and volunteer assignments based

on the needs assessment conducted with each third country partner. The specific project activities include: seminars and training workshops on-site and online, undertaken with the partners’ core staff. Development of organizational tools, guidelines and monitoring systems will follow a participatory process within each organization. A communication strategy and development of a communication platform will allow for exchange of good practice, peer learning and extensive external exposure to the Nordic technical resource base. Webinars, online knowledge sharing and pooling of activities for multiple partners will be applied widely. For further information please contact [email protected] See more: http://bit.ly/2DmOW8P

IN FOCUS EWB International tax status in the United States: Innovative fundraising through tax exemption status

Maker Faire 2008, San Mateo – EWB USA booth. The blue device is a wind turbine that can be made from basic materials.

In the United States (US), under federal law, an organization with 501(c) status is exempt from some federal income taxes. 501(c)(3) tax exemptions apply to specific organizations such as non-profit organizations. An organization with 501(c)(3) status does not pay income taxes related to its non-profit mission and purposes, is able to receive tax-deductible contributions, and is eligible for foundation grants. However, 501(c)(3) organizations are unable to participate in any political or lobbying activity. EWB International (EWB-I) obtained 501(c)(3) status in the US, allowing US corporations to donate to EWB Member Associations (MA) on a tax-free basis. However, EWB-I must ensure that the funds are sent to the MA under the following stipulations: • EWB-I would withhold 5 per cent for handling of the financial transactions, unless otherwise agreed (e.g. if the sum was large enough to make 5 per cent an exorbitant amount) • EWB-I would receive a report ensuring that the funds were spent on the engineering and development projects for which the funds were awarded and in line with the overall missions of EWB-I and the EWB MAs. The 501(c)(3) status presents an opportunity for EWB as a whole. It could be used to identify and formulate the fundraising strategy of EWB MAs with particular attention on target audiences, such as engineering companies and foundations that are currently active in development activities.

EWB project of sustainable architecture

SPOTLIGHT A brief about the organization Engineers Without Borders Rwanda (EWB-Rwanda) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that uses engineering practices to improve the quality of life through education and implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. It is established to partner with EWB chapters from around the world, other organizations or institutions and local communities. Since 2005 a core group of members (Wellars, Tuombe, Bonaventure and Joseph) have been actively promoting EWB-Rwanda. Their efforts led to EWB-Rwanda being founded at the University of Rwanda in 2013, with the NGO officially registering EWB-Rwanda in January 2016.

EWB RWANDA IN NUMBERS More than 200,000 local people trained in maintenance of water supply and sanitation project in the end of seven years governmental program and 2,148 elected water and sanitation committee. More than 500 engineers, 14,837 local technicians and 50 local groups of engineers will be involved in engineering research project.

More than 100 new jobs created through training and incubation centers.

Partnership between EWB-Rwanda and Better Futures for Generations (BFG)

Mukindo water project

On 1st February, 2018, Engineers Without Borders Rwanda (EWB-Rwanda) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Better Futures for Generations (BFG). The purpose of the signed MoU is a professional partnership between both parties. EWB-Rwanda will assist BFG in the implementation of engineering projects such as “Building for All” by providing technical skills and working hand in hand in the implementation of professional training for capacity building of young people with disabilities. Both groups decided to provide technical advocacy in public and private institutions to promote access to public buildings for people with disabilities.

In partnership with local communities, EWB-Rwanda provided technical support on the implementation of the Mukindo Water supply project by installing a solar panel system. This project was financed by EWB-Quebec and Gisagara District, and the local communities were highly motivated to provide support through public works known as Umuganda. During the implementation the local technicians were trained for maintenance in laying water pipe laying and electromechanical equipment. This project will provide a solution to water access for 5,000 people of Mukindo Sector and Gisagara District in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

PERU

INDIA

Reforestation in Peru

During this first year, EWB-Perú will hold courses, training events, and talks to raise awareness of environmental care, solid waste management, prevention and mitigation of the extreme hydrological effects of droughts and floods. Reforestation and water harvesting projects were launched in the Region of Cajamarca in Peru where there is a high mining activity. Find more:

Gnanothsav2018-A science fair and quiz competition

EWB-Hyderabad has achieved the milestone of establishing the 50th e-Learning centre this year. EWB-Hyderabad has completed more than 35 e-Learning centres in 2017. EWB-Hyderabad also provides a training program to teachers on the course material installed in e-Learning centres. Projects done recently are Gnanothsav 2018-A science fair and quiz competition to e-Learning centre schools. EWB-Hyderabad is planning for 25 plus e-Learning centres this year.

http://bit.ly/2oriEUw

ARGENTINA Ewb-Ar is designing a vehicular bridge over a stream in Buenos Aires. The current bridge is unsafe. When river flows increase in the rainy season the bridge becomes treacherous and unpassable, with a number of fatalities occurring in recent years. The project will be carried out jointly with the local community, businesses and local government. For more information:

http://bit.ly/2ECehwZ

BRAZIL At the end of March, the 8th World Water Forum will take place in Brazil. To increase the participation of young people in discussing water issues and setting local and regional priorities, the Youth Delegates of the World Water Council are organizing satellite events in more than 20 locations around the world. Engineers without Borders Brazil is supporting this initiative and its Chapters will participate in more than 12 events that will take place on March 3 in all regions of the country. More information: http://bit.ly/2CzmGOZ

THE NETHERLANDS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Alfred and Wouter have been welcomed for a two week stay in the Oku region, in Cameroon, to assess the water infrastructure in the region. The project Water4Oku keeps progressing and you can still support it. Find more:

EWB UAE future looks bright. After some initial setbacks, they are teaming up with the Society of Engineers (SOE) to become a recognized entity in the UAE. Negotiations are underway and the team is confident to sign a memorandum with the SOE in March. For more information:

http://bit.ly/2og2IEt

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