Service Learning for Sustainable Development

CPHI RetreatWater and Public Health

December 2, 2010

Community Impact: Global Water Crisis1.1 billion people

worldwide have inadequate access to clean water

2.6 billion people worldwide have inadequate access to sanitation

1.8 million child deaths occur each year as a result of diarrhea

OpportunitiesCommunities in developing countries benefit

from shared resources beyond their bordersStudents from the U.S. benefit from global

engagement in a cross cultural setting

Different Goals

Primary goal for community is to improve health with a sustainable water and sanitation system

Primary goal for students and the sponsoring academic institution is a global education

How can these goals be achieved with a positive outcome for everyone involved?

Water supply more amenable to merging goals than other community development projects

What’s Needed? - InitiallyRequest for assistance

from an established NGO working in community

Proposed project small enough in scale

Community willing to contribute their own resources

What’s Needed? - PreparationPreparation and Groundwork for Community

and students before implementation:Assessment trip to understand design

constraints and begin relationshipPreparation of a Memo of Understanding

outlining roles and commitmentsCommunity needs to organize its leadership

and resources for long term sustainabilityStudents need to participate in design and

learn about cultural context in a course

What’s Needed? - Implementation

NGO criticalStudents need to be hosted

in communityDaily communication at all

stagesSharing of technical design

attributes

What’s Needed? – Follow-upCommunity needs technical oversight from

NGO’s representative in communication with Mentor/student team to complete project

Students need to provide feedback on their experience and the opportunity to learn on impact of design

Should be independent evaluation of project after complete and operating.

Mission & ObjectivesMission:

Improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in the developing world through sustainable technology and engineering, and through engaging students in learning about and service to civil society.

Program Objectives:

1. Teach students about the challenges in the developing world and the role that appropriate technology and sustainable engineering plays in this setting.

2. Work closely with local communities to responsibly provide useful technical solutions to individuals and communities in the developing world.

Organization SEAS Community Technology and Outreach Initiatives

“office” Local initiatives Global initiatives

Departmental and faculty involvement Teaching Leading field projects

Student organizations Integral to the learning and projects model Student leadership experiences

Oversight and administration SEAS Office of Academic Programs/Associate Dean Faculty Advisory Committee Director Staff

Projects

Clean water delivery & sanitation systems

Honduras 2006-presentCameroon 2007-presentIndia 2009-presentGuatemala 2009-present

Problem Solving/Learning

EAS 296 - Sustainable Development in Cameroon

• EAS 297 - Sustainable Development: Technology for Water & Sanitation

Classroom Preparation - EngineeringEngineering for Rural Water and Sanitation

Water demand and supply; Public health Spring Development and Protection

Engineering for Sustainable DevelopmentAppropriate Technology in International Development Practical Field Engineering

Classroom Preparation - Cameroon OrientationPresentation by Travel MedicineReview of Cameroon history and culture with focus on

Kob-Tudig regionMeta language Team work in cross-cultural setting

Academic DeliverablesHomeworksSystem DesignOn-the-ground

experienceDaily journalCapstone Project

Community Impact

- Dramatic increase in clean water availability

- Perceivably decreased soil erosion and increased quality of environment

- Improved communication capabilities and access to information

- Increased access to information and educational resources

- Inspired greater desire to complete education and to advance to senior secondary schooling and beyond

- Reduced incidence of waterborne diseases in the community

- Reduced time used for water hauling, increasing time available for productive tasks

- Increased individuals’ ambulatory ability leading to happier and more productive living

Infrastructure Education Health and Livelihood

Key factors to success Strong NGOGuidance and clear leadership of project

mentorsCommitted community. But how to gauge

that from the beginning?Long-term commitment to community, NGOAbility, willingness to revise project tracking

methodology on-the-fly

ConclusionsCommunity and students have an exciting,

sometimes life-changing exchange – many say time too short

Sustainable projects are possible but there is a risk of failure if NGO is not able to cover for the time student/mentor team is not present

Academic institution needs to have a long-term program both for students and communities