THE ROLE OF NGOS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS INCREASING ENERGY CAPACITY IN A RURAL SCHOOL IN TANZANIA
THE ROLE OF NGOS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS INCREASING ENERGY CAPACITY IN A RURAL SCHOOL IN TANZANIA

Summary/Abstract: Engineers without Borders (EWB), USA, is a non-profit organization that focuses on utilizing sustainable solutions to solve human problems. They work by partnering with local communities to identify needs and together find sustainable solutions . Through this model, Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) EWB chapter has been involved in working with a local grassroots NGO in Tanzania to provide sustainable energy solutions for a rural school. Specifically, NIU’s EWB chapter partnered with UMABU, a local NGO in Musoma area, and Tanzania Development Support, a non-profit based in USA, to design and implement solar lighting for Nyegina Secondary School and assess further sustainable energy needs for the school and the village. Nyegina Secondary School is home to about 560 students, and are all boarders. Since 2009, NIU EWB students, and professional mentors have designed and installed solar lighting in ten classrooms and a solar thermal water heating system for the kitchen. This has enabled the students to be able to study at night. Furthermore, the solar thermal system has enabled the school to save some money for heating costs in their kitchen This paper will describe unique collaborative effort between engineering students, professionals, faculty and the local community to create sustainable energy solutions.

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