KERAMIDA Sponsors Engineers Without Borders – Purdue Rwanda Water Project Update
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Members of the Engineers Without Borders – Purdue University Chapter pose with the EWB flag during their summer implementation trip to Rwanda.
Supporting Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Community Development in Rwanda
KERAMIDA is proud to sponsor the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) – Purdue University Chapter and its mission to improve access to clean water in Rwanda. EWB Purdue is part of Engineers Without Borders USA, a nonprofit organization that works with communities worldwide to develop sustainable engineering solutions that improve quality of life.
Advancing Sustainable Water Access in Rwanda
This summer, former KERAMIDA intern Rachel Schwab traveled to Rwanda with the EWB Purdue team to support the ongoing Nyakibizi Water Distribution Project. During the trip, the team oversaw construction activities and conducted water testing to help advance the community’s new water distribution system.
Residents of Nyakibizi, Rwanda, collect water from the project's first operational tap stand, a major milestone in expanding access to clean water for the community.
Significant progress has already been made. The spring catchment system and first tap stand are complete and currently providing water access to the northern portion of the Nyakibizi community. Once construction is fully completed later this summer, the system is expected to provide reliable access to clean water for approximately 3,115 residents, as well as members of neighboring communities.
The team also returned to Rubona, Rwanda, to evaluate a previously completed water distribution project and formally transfer ownership to community leadership. The handoff represents a major milestone and demonstrates the long-term sustainability of the chapter’s work in the region.
In addition, the team conducted a preliminary assessment of another community that may become the focus of a future water distribution project, helping expand access to clean water for additional communities in need.
The Impact of Clean Water
Reflecting on the trip, Rachel noted the visible impact that access to clean water can have on a community, particularly for children.
“Something that stood out to me on the trip was the impact that access to clean water had on the children in these communities,” said Schwab. “In Rubona, where the water system has been established for some time, children were outside playing throughout the community while we evaluated the system and met with local leaders. In Nyakibizi, many of the children we saw were walking to or from collecting water for their households. The contrast between the two communities was striking and reinforced the importance of the Nyakibizi project and the impact it will have on the community.”
The benefits of reliable access to clean water extend far beyond convenience, delivering significant public health, educational, and quality-of-life improvements for communities. Access to protected water sources helps reduce exposure to waterborne contaminants while decreasing the time families spend collecting water each day. These improvements allow children to spend more time in school and provide adults with additional time for work, agriculture, and other productive activities. Beyond the immediate benefits, sustainable water infrastructure supports long-term community development and improved quality of life.
Through sponsorships like this, KERAMIDA is proud to support the next generation of engineers and environmental professionals while helping advance sustainable infrastructure projects that create lasting benefits for communities around the world. We congratulate Rachel and the EWB Purdue team on their continued progress and look forward to future updates as the Nyakibizi project approaches completion.
Learn More
Learn more about the Engineers Without Borders – Purdue University Chapter and its Rwanda Water Project:
