Can you tell me about the project you are working on with Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB)?
Arup partnered with EWB and Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health to develop emergency sanitation and hygiene guidelines for Vanuatu. Vanuatu is prone to natural disasters and (prior to the project) there was no approved or standard approach to steer a sanitation and hygiene response after an emergency. The project’s aims were to develop an emergency guideline for local response teams. These included various assessments to help inform decision making and designs for sanitation units in an emergency. My work on the project included designing a template to identify the number of sanitation facilities required under different emergency scenarios and participating in discussions around the most appropriate designs for sanitation units.
How have you utilised your skills on this project?
My background is as a civil engineer with an interest in water. This project tapped into my problem-solving abilities. When developing the template, I had to find a balance between including details to ensure the number of sanitation facilities identified met minimum requirements, while also creating an interface that was user friendly and accessible to everyone. It was a challenge at the beginning with so much information, but through many iterations we were able to produce something we were happy with and something that will help the community.
What inspired you to volunteer with EWB?
Arup has an ongoing partnership with EWB, and a part of this includes involvement in engineering projects in a pro bono capacity. I had previously been involved with another Arup and EWB project to secure a drinking water supply for Roelands Village in Western Australia. Although my involvement was small for that project, I really enjoyed it because I knew that the work I did would have a significant impact on the community’s quality of life. When I heard there was another opportunity with Arup to participate in another EWB project, I could not pass it up!
What have been some of the highlights of your experience?
Hearing that our work has been well received by the stakeholders. It feels like a eureka moment to know that through all the meetings and revisions we have done, we have produced something practical and acceptable to the community.
What insights can you give young engineers about ‘giving back’?
It is rewarding to participate in a project where I was ‘giving back’, and it has given me a sense of purpose – that I am actively contributing and making a positive impact in the world. Working on this project reaffirmed why I decided to become an engineer and work at Arup, to solve meaningful problems and help people.
Find out more about partnering with EWB in ways that can activate employees and create positive social change through engineering.
You can also donate to EWB this tax time to support these projects. EWB’s Build the Future 2022 Appeal spotlights the many projects underway that need your support and that help kids stay at school, and be safe at school in Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.