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Archived News Article

MSOE's Engineers without Borders chapter picks next project

Published: 10/17/2007 Bookmark and Share

In the past two years, MSOE students, under the supervision of MSOE faculty and engineer volunteers, have helped construct a desperately needed box culvert bridge and a drinking water system.

This year's project involves designing and constructing a bridge for a community near Joyabaj, Guatemala, a village of around 3,000 people that becomes isolated during the rainy season.

The people of this village have been in great need of a bridge for over 10 year and have been actively seeking help, yet with nearby organizations' lack of funds, the community was continually turned down. Now, through the combined efforts of the community, students, and professional mentors, these people will receive that which they have needed for so long.

The completion of this project will have many positive impacts upon life in the community. The biggest of these are that during the rainy season this bridge will allow the community access to markets, health care, and education.

During the summer of 2007, students began the hydrological analysis to determine river flows. Bridge design and construction planning will be done during the fall of 2007, and then construction will take place during dry season in early March, 2008, when the MSOE students travel to Guatemala during their end-of-term recess.

Fund-raising starts NOW. For more information, contact:

Advisor - Professor Doug Stahl, PE
stahl@msoe.edu - 414-277-7308
Milwaukee School of Engineering
1025 North Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202

student group President - Michelle Mellenthin
mellentm@msoe.edu