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Linda Goeringer, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Students Services Coordinator, travels to Guatemala with the OU Chapter of Engineers Without BordersEach year Engineers Without Borders (EWB), which is NOT just for engineers, selects a project, in a developing country, which upon completion will enhance the standard of living in the community, positively impact the local residents, and one which puts into practice some of the engineering principles the students have learned. This year Linda Goeringer, MCEE Student Services Coordinator, traveled with the group to Pradera, a small community several hours from Guatemala’s ancient city, Antigua, and 1 hour each way from their base in Nueva Concepcion. Their mission, to bring fresh drinking water to the community from an underground spring located approximately ½ mile up the heavily forested mountain. Why is this important? Many of the people of the village experience regular bouts of diarrhea and other waterborne illness due to lack of fresh water. Mission Successful, by the end of the week the people of Pradera had fresh water in the center of their community which can now be turned on and off at their convenience. In a recent interview, Linda shared some thoughts on her experience: “It was an honor to be invited by the University of Oklahoma’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders to serve as their First Aid Specialist and Photo Journalist in Guatemala this past July. This experience was both humbling and moving as I observed the resourcefulness and resilience of the people of this small village. The students and the villagers worked side by side exchanging knowledge; the students given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and the villagers demonstrating their own techniques. It was such a privilege to be given this opportunity and hopefully I will be invited to participate again next year.” The 2007 group consisted of 9 students, Director of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Dr. Robert Knox, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Board Member, Steve Vance, and Coordinator of Student Services for the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, Linda Goeringer.
About EWB-OU About EWB
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
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