Rwanda Project

Project Leads: Jack Bacon and Tyler-Blair Sheppard

Project Summary

EWB-JSC began working in Rwanda in 2005 and has developed a strong relationship with the community through solar powered lighting, rainwater catchment, and water purification projects at a local hospital and orphanage. In 2008 the L’Esperance Children’s Aid Orphanage requested EWB-JSC's help to expand their completed work, rainwater catchment and water purification systems to include a fruit drying system. Funding for this orphanage is not stable, and to stay open the orphanage must find a way to make the orphanage economically sustainable. As an agricultural engineer the director, Victor, has cultivated large quantities of pineapple, mango, and guava on the orphanage property.

The orphanage plan is to take the excess fruit and dry it for sale on the international market. EWB-JSC has taken on the challenge to develop technology the orphanage can use to dry the fruit. In the fall of 2011 a team of 4 traveled to Rwanda and installed 3 solar fruit dryers. This allowed the orphanage workers to begin training on what is required to maintain a drying system as well as seek out potential buyers.

Rwanda has 2 wet seasons throughout the year where the solar dryers will not be utilized. With this EWB-JSC is currently in the design and testing phase of a year-round large scale dryer system with plans to implement the system in Fall 2013. In the Fall of 2012 a 2 person team traveled to Rwanda to confirm the materials sourcing and dryer facility location site at L’Esperance and review the design of the year-round dryer with the orphanage director.

Our projects wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of others. If you are interested in getting involved with the Rwanda project, contact us for more information. We are always happy to receive new volunteers or donations.

Rwanda Project Documents

Posters

Reports

Links