The NC State Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-NCSU) is a student-run chapter of the broader national non-profit Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA), a 501c3 non-profit. EWB-NCSU consists of three international project teams, a local project team, and a fundraising team. The students engaged with EWB-NCSU gain hands-on experience working on global, multiphase projects, which allows them to develop valuable skills in the design of sustainable products, project logistics, grant writing, and budgeting. The Sierra Leone Renewable Energy (SLRE) team, working with the Goshen Academy in Rokel, Sierra Leone, installed 16 solar panels and 4 batteries that power 14 outlets and 20 light bulbs.
This will allow 115 students and 200+ adults in the village to have access to technology education and the ability to attend night classes. The Sierra Leone Water (SLW) team works with the Browndel School in Wellington, Sierra Leone. This project positively impacted the Browndel School by providing more water for purposes including flushing toilets, cleaning classrooms, and cleaning outdoor areas. The Guatemala Water Systems (GWS) team has positively affected the lives of over 300 people by installing seventy rainwater harvesting systems in the community of Caserio Panhux.
The North Carolina Projects (NCP) team has successfully finished off the implementation phase of their Interfaith Food Shuttle hydroponic system project, aimed to provide sustainable growing techniques while also being used as an educational tool about alternative sustainable agriculture methods. KIETS support leverages support from the NC State student government, the Engineer Your Experience Fund, Summit Engineering, Stantec, Fluor Corporation, CDM Smith, ESi Inc., EWB-RTP Chapter, San Cristobal Government Grant, EWB RTX Grant, EWB Impact Fund, NC State College of Engineering, NC State Engineering Council, and general fundraising and club dues. KIETS Associate Director Raj Narayan serves as a member of the EWB-NCSU advisory board, and Professor Andy Grieshop from the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering serves as their faculty advisor.