The Miners Give Back program of the SME Foundation announces its continuing collaboration with Engineers Without Borders USA in awarding a grant to assist the village of Khanalthok, Nepal. The $5,000 grant to the University of Florida EWB Chapter will enable volunteers to design and implement a sustainable solution to the lack of readily available, potable water in combination with low sanitary practices at the local school.
Keys to the sustainability of the project include plans to:
Provide an additional source of water through a rainwater catchment system,
Repair the existing water tanks and link them to the catchment system, and
Distribute water for household, sanitary and personal uses.
EWB works directly with the community to assess, design and implement engineering solutions for small-scale infrastructure projects worldwide. Efforts can include water supply, sanitation, civil works, structures, energy and agriculture. MGB is working with EWB to leverage EWB’s global network of engineers in developing countries to positively impact and enhance communities with sustainable benefits that will continue for generations. Through this MGB / EWB alliance, the SMEF is dedicated to support worldwide initiatives focused on humanitarian efforts.