Education

Contacts:
Education Director
Cheryl Weyant
Agricultural Egineering
weyant@uiuc.edu

Why would an engineering project concerned with education?

It may not be apparent to those not closely concerned in development of the history of damages received by some beneficiaries of aid. Some philosophies of aid work have resulted in giving communities control of new technologies without providing training and background information necessary for the continued functioning of the project. These projects have resulted in poorly maintained and managed technologies and situations of societal problems created in the name of development. We hope to have learned from some of histories mistakes and aim to leave Adu Achi with more than just the necessary physical tools. For the sustainability of the water and the community, education is considered an important component of this project.


 What is the correlation between education and sustainability?

 Sustainability is difficult to define and even more so to design for. Essentially a sustainable solution is the best conceivable possibility over the long term with regards to technology, society, economy and the environment.

This kind of solution requires that the human components of the project are working together with a shared vision. Education is required of all parties involved, including ourselves.


How is education related to human empowerment?

They say its best to teach a man to fish, but it is better yet to teach him to teach himself. By this I mean that to teach only the technical knowledge of pumps and pipes is missing the point of education. The project will lie in the hands of the community who must be aware of the technical aspects, the management policies, and have a means and motivation to continue in the ongoing process of community development. It is by no means assumed to be a goal possible to complete, but still the ability of the community to help itself is the core of social sustainability and we cannot neglect consideration of its importance.


How does EWB-UIUC approach education?

This is a difficult consideration, but the answer is with much care. Questions arise as to appropriate means and components of education. How do you try to eliminate personal agendas – as well intentioned as they may be – from the ideas and that are and are not presented? These are the issues inherent in education. It is through dialogue with the community that we hope to find these solutions.


What are the methods and why?

The means of education that are in progress and consideration are:

1. Community document that presents all our work for public access.

2. Posters of technical components. An example would be general information of the rainwater collection design

3. Focus groups. These are part of the work of the health and management components.

4. Lecture. General information about the project how it is functioning and the work we have been doing.

5. Communication with university students in Enugu who may help in areas of health.


What work is now being done and what assistance could be used?

Much of this work should be done by experts with experience in rural community development. As such a volunteer has not presented themselves, we should be training and practicing group coordination skills and continue to educate ourselves on issues in education and community development.