The Bolivia Project
BACKGROUND
The Bolivia group has been working in Quesimpuco for 10 years on many different projects to improve the lives of the community members. They worked along side the community members, SIFAT, and CENATEC to implement projects that include an irrigation system, a hydroponics system, hand powered washing machines, and solar showers.
CURRENT PROGRESS
Currently, the team is continuing implementation of a gravity-fed irrigation system that will serve 21 fields roughly 21,000 square meters in area. The catchment tank collects water from a natural spring and transports it 2.2 km to a large 60,000-liter concrete tank uphill from the fields. The water will be distributed from the tank to movable sprinklers located on each field. The team is currently working on a pipeline to bring the water from the storage tank, built in 2024, closer to the fields that will be irrigated. Students working on our Bolivia project will analyze both the design of the pipeline while also maintaining previous phases of the project to ensure our work’s quality.
RECENT IMPLEMENTATIONS
In August of 2024, 8 students and 2 advisors traveled to the community to implement a 8x8m concrete storage tank. This phase of implementation will allow the community to store water during the dry season and the following phases will bring this water to the fields for irrigation.
Recent Trips & Media
Tiger Giving Day! Our EWB chapter was honored to have been represented by the College of Engineering for Auburn University’s 2024 Tiger Giving Day. The Bolivia project was chosen to be sponsored with a goal to raise $10,000. We are forever thankful to the Auburn family that helped us rase over 140% of that goal. Thanks to all who show continued support, for it is you that allow us to continue to help these communities.
Travel Diaries: Members of our Bolivia team put together a short video to show what it was like as a member of the travel team in summer of 2024- vlog style!