Unfortunately this summer brought our water distribution project, in Ecuador, to an end. At the end of the day there were land ownership issues associated with the spring that the club was planning to use as the water source for the project. They could not be worked around, and we were left with no other viable option then to close out the project. However, this also means we had the opportunity to start a new project.
Our new project consists of making improvements to a school in Pasto Calle, Ecuador in the Cotopaxi province. This school is a fiscal educational institution with the goal of expanding educational services in the area, by increasing the area’s student capacity by 30%. Currently a small classroom building and a latrine building have already been finished, but the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education will not allow it to be occupied until the rest of the project is completed.
Our job is to complete a structural analysis of an existing concrete slab and concrete columns and then design and construct a reinforcement system as needed. From what we understand their is significant segregation and cracking that is likely to present major challenges. In addition to this work, we will have to design and build a wall system, roof, and an electrical system. Per Ecuadorian code a fence will have to be constructed around the perimeter of the site.
EWB-RHIT is extremely excited to get started on this project with the hopes of conducting an assessment trip, sometime during the first half of 2023.
Edit: 9/28/2022 – We have received word that a roof has already been constructed on this building.