I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world.  On my first visit to the third world, it really opened my eyes to the types of conditions most people live in.  This experience lit a fire in me.  My parents raised me with the motto “to whom much is given, much is expected.”  I serve fellow citizens of the world with a happy heart.  Despite living in poverty and oppression, happiness and joy exudes from everyone I have met, which humbles me on a daily basis.

The realization that commodities we as Americans take for granted, like clean water and sewer systems, furthers my commitment to securing these basic human needs for those that don’t have access to them.  The call to serve is both frustrating and rewarding, but ultimately, I feel as though I have not only gained invaluable life experiences, but strength of character as well.

My work in Haiti began in 2007 when I design a springbox system in the Artibonite valley as my senior capstone project in college.  The project was very challenging.  Installing and maintaining a sustainable project in a developing country requires thinking out of the box.  I discovered that in some ways, this project was more difficult than one in the US both because of its simplicity and complexity.  The project in Haiti only made me more determined to find another service project. 
After graduation from college, I became a member of Engineers Without Borders.  In August 2008, I adopted a project in Cameroon.  Batoula is a rural village in the West Province of Cameroon, and villages gather water from contaminated sources.  Residents know the water makes them sick, but have neither the resources nor the expertise to purify it.  Living conditions are squalid with a plethora of illnesses, many of which are caused by contaminated water.  In addition, incidences of malaria and infant mortality are extremely high.

A February 2009 site visit to Cameroon to assess the site, gather pertinent data, and establish a relationship with the village was made.  Preliminary water quality testing showed that the ground water was uncontaminated, while surface water sources are contaminated. Upon consulting with the village elders, I decided to focus on the construction of new wells and various distribution and storage options.  Research on pumping, storage and distribution alternatives was conducted with detailed assessments of: initial costs, operating and maintenance costs, durability, daily ability to meet peak demands, availability of replacement parts and precedence. The community has chosen to construct two wells with hand pumps at the schools and health clinic.

The visit to Africa touched me in so many ways.  It’s easy to see poverty on TV or in movies, but when personal connections are made it rips at the soul.  I knew what kind of conditions to expect, but I didn’t realize the emotional impact it would have on me.  Most of my emotions included guilt for living such a luxurious life while millions of people live in squalor.  I was very overwhelmed and didn’t think that I could make a difference.
Eventually I realized that I’m not going to change the world, but I can improve the lives of a few thousand villagers by providing clean water.  The villagers in Cameroon changed my life.  Managing this project has become a full time job, and I’ve never been as passionate in my whole life as I am for my commitment to the villagers.  A single drop in a pond radiates out in many ways; similarly humanitarian work radiates out in ways that we will never know.  If I can make just one person’s life a little bit better, it makes all the hard work worth it. 

In the May 2010, I will return to oversee construction and start-up of wells at the health center and schools.  The teams will also facilitate a community forum to propose the implementation of a solar powered system, providing both storage and access to clean water to the entire community. My ability to serve is limited by funding, both for the project and travel expenses.  I have secured some funding for the first part of the project to be completed, but because I have personally paid all of the project costs to date, I cannot afford to travel unless I receive outside support. 

Most donors do not want to donate to travel costs, but without me, nothing can be accomplished.  Your donation to me will ultimately affect thousands of lives, saving them from disease, illness, and death. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous contribution.