Dear EWB-DC Supporters,
Although we came up short on our goal of $5,500, we did raise over $3,300! Thank you so much to all of the awesome people who supported us during the appeal. And a special thank you to Clark Construction for their matching donation, which totaled $1,000!
Your support means so much to us. EWB-DC relies on the generous support of businesses and individuals like you to make our vision a reality. Your dedication during 2021 means we can keep supporting our community partners in Panama, Peru, and Sierra Leone, to secure the essentials to live healthy, productive lives.
Although 2021 was still filled with challenges regularly affecting project progress, out Project Teams worked tirelessly to remain connected with the partner communities. Together, they have been able to continue working hard towards project goals throughout the year.
Despite our inability to travel in person, the community center in Hato Rincon, Panama has made great strides this year! The community members continued work on the building, including completing stucco on the outside of the building, adding a door, and other finishing touches to the exterior. Meanwhile, EWB-DC team members have been working remotely to complete the design of the future solar powered electrical layout and create designs for various furniture options for the interior of the building.
Despite travel restrictions due to the pandemic, the Peru project team is excited to have made some progress this year! Over the summer, one team member was in Peru for personal travel and was able to visit Shiringamazu. After meeting with local engineers and our in-country NGO, Reach Global, she led a 4-day assessment trip. She reconnected with the community and affirmed our continued involvement with the project, and installed piezometers to gather information about the community’s water table. The project team is looking forward to continuing their collaboration with the community next year!
After an extended pre-assessment phase due to the pandemic, the Sierra Leone project team is excited to announce the completion of the first (remote) assessment trip performed in the Dumangbe community! They were able to partner with an in-country EWB organization to conduct the assessment trip on EWB-DC’s behalf in late Fall 2021, collecting valuable data such as soil and water measurements, descriptive photographs and community surveys. The information received from this assessment trip will allow the project team to better understand the soil makeup, stream-bed and water flow conditions, and community-stream-interaction so they can work collaboratively with the community in identifying the best water-crossing solution that meets their needs. The team is in the process of reviewing the data, and in the next few weeks will determine the need for a second assessment trip next year. They are happy to have made great progress this year and look forward to working with the community in 2022!
Our work wouldn’t be possible without you so we are truly grateful for your support.
From all of us at EWB-DC we wish you a Happy New Year and we look forward to making 2022 our best one yet!
Best,
EWB-DC Team