EWB-University of Wisconsin Madison

Muramba Rwanda Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and is also one of the poorest. 80 kilometers from the capital of Kigali, in the mountainous Gisenyi Province near the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, is a desperately poor region that has received little or no assistance from government and non-governmental organizations. The Muramba Deanery serves 310,000 people in the region through a network of four parish churches. Muramba Parish Church, seat of the Deanery, is the largest of the churches and the center of community life and activity for the people of Muramba. The work of Engineers Without Borders is evident all over Muramba. Several water catchment systems spot the deanery and over 3 miles of PVC pipe, which carry water from a safe source, run throughout the village. It is safe to say that Engineers Without Borders has helped this community and that the residents are very appreciative of our support. Despite these efforts, however, there are still plenty of problems to resolve. The disease and malnourishment of the community is astounding. Luckily, we can help. This year we hope to develop sustainable projects such as refrigeration of food and an improved stove design. By utilizing these tools, it is our intent to decrease the amount of preventable illness and to improve the quality of life for the children and adults of Muramba. Our goal is not to give to this community, but to work with it so Muramba can succeed. We are looking for dedicated and compassionate leaders who are willing to contribute to this ongoing project. -The Rwanda Team