Student ProjectsEngineers Without Borders: Ebenezer Sosio Nursery and Primary School Construction
Project Manager
Kate Manion, Engineers Without Borders Northwestern University
Amount Requested
$5,000
Summary
The Northwestern chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-NU) proposes an innovative international assessment trip to Kapchorwa, Uganda, to launch a multi-year engineering project: the rebuilding of the Ebenezer Sosio Nursery and Primary School. This project addresses a critical infrastructure need by providing students in a remote, underserved area with safe and sustainable classroom structures. During the fall 2025 assessment trip, we will collect detailed technical, topographical, climate, and social data that will form the foundation of a three-year engineering design and implementation initiative. This project empowers undergraduate McCormick students to apply engineering, project management, and cross-cultural communication skills in a real-world humanitarian context, directly supporting McCormick’s mission to prepare global, socially responsible engineers. Expected outcomes include comprehensive feasibility data, strong community partnerships, and a detailed foundation for the final school design, to be implemented by spring 2027.
Planned Activities/Investments
To achieve the project objectives and produce meaningful outcomes, four undergraduate engineering students and a licensed structural engineering mentor from REIC will travel to Uganda in September 2025. During their visit, the team will conduct comprehensive geotechnical, topographical, climate, and social surveys using advanced tools such as GPS devices, penetrometers, and digital levels. They will engage directly with key local stakeholders, including school administrators, representatives from the NGO Mt. Elgon, municipal education officials, and parents, to ensure that the project aligns with community needs and expectations. Soil samples collected on site will be sent to Ugandan geotechnical laboratories for further testing to inform design decisions. The team will also gather elevation and mapping data, assess existing school structures, and document the availability and condition of local construction materials and utility infrastructure. These activities will support a thorough evaluation of community expectations, existing construction resources, and the feasibility of long-term, sustainable development in the region.
Impact
This project will have a significant impact on both the McCormick undergraduate student body and the local Ugandan community. Over the course of three years, 15-to-30 McCormick students will engage in a global humanitarian initiative that strengthens their engineering, leadership, and intercultural competencies. By participating in this project, students will apply classroom knowledge to real-world design challenges, conduct field research, and coordinate complex international logistics, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Simultaneously, the project will directly benefit the Ugandan community, providing over 280 students and their families with improved access to safe and functional school infrastructure. The impact of the project will be evaluated through several methods, including the submission of technical deliverables to Engineers Without Borders-USA for review and approval, reflective essays and leadership debriefs from student participants, and follow-up communication with local stakeholders to assess community satisfaction and any resulting growth in student enrollment.
Deliverables
The major deliverables for the project will include a comprehensive set of technical and community-based reports that inform the final school design. These deliverables consist of a digital elevation model and a detailed site map to guide spatial planning, as well as a geotechnical soil analysis report that evaluates the site’s structural conditions. A climate and environmental condition profile will provide data on seasonal weather patterns and environmental risks relevant to construction. In addition, the team will compile social survey results and community stakeholder feedback to ensure that the design aligns with local needs and expectations. Finally, an assessment report and feasibility analysis will synthesize these findings to support the development of a sustainable and context-sensitive school infrastructure plan.
Sustainability
This project is designed to be fully self-sustaining beyond the limits of Murphy funding. Long-term ownership and responsibility for maintenance will be transferred to the Ebenezer School and the local government, ensuring continued use and care of the infrastructure. To maintain continuity, McCormick students involved in the project will train future chapter members, passing down knowledge and leadership responsibilities. The school design itself will prioritize low-maintenance materials and incorporate locally sourced resources to reduce upkeep challenges. Ongoing community involvement will be supported through established partnerships with Mt. Elgon and EWB Uganda, who will provide local expertise and coordination. Additionally, the school has committed to contributing to maintenance efforts by covering part of the associated costs and supplying labor, reinforcing local investment in the project’s sustainability.
Previous Projects
EWB-NU has previously received Murphy Society funding for a similar school infrastructure project in Ecuador. Although unexpected travel restrictions prevented our team from completing the in-person implementation, we successfully finalized the school design, coordinated with our local partners, and transferred the funds and materials for the project to be completed on-site. This experience strengthened our chapter’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and maintain strong international partnerships. We have also completed other successful projects in Guatemala and Kenya.
Budget Overview
- Flights (5 people @ $1,000 each): $5,000
- Lodging (5 people, 7 nights @ $70/night): $2,450
- Ground Transportation: $500
- Soil Testing (Lab & Contractor): $1,500
- Topographical Survey Equipment Rental: $500
- GPS/Mapping Supplies: $300
- PPE and Health Supplies: $250
- Miscellaneous (permits, translator, printing): $500
Total Budget Amount: $11,000
Matching Funds
We have currently received $500 in funding for this project through Engineers Without Borders. The total estimated cost of the project is approximately $60,000, and we have applied for multiple grants from various organizations to help support it. However, we will not receive decisions on those applications until the end of the calendar year, so they will not be available to support our initial assessment trip. While our club typically receives funding from Northwestern’s McCormick Student Advisory Board (MSAB) and Associated Student Government (ASG), these sources generally do not cover international travel-related expenses. Despite this limitation, we believe the anticipated impact of this project on both student development and the Ugandan community strongly justifies the investment. We will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities and partnerships to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
Faculty Adviser/Department
Russell Joseph/Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science