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The Concordia chapter of Engineers Without Borders took part in this year’s Nuit Blanche with an exhibit of photos taken by students on their placements abroad.
Undeniable was taken by Concordia photojournalist John Coy in Zambia. “A man silently waits for food relief in Victoria, Zambia. The relief effort was organized by CUSO and the food was donated by the United Nations World Food Program. The elderly, sick and crippled are the worst affected during a drought. Many men, women and children were still left begging for food after the food distribution was completed.”
Sophie D’Rozario, VP Media Relations for EWB Concordia, explained that EWB is a Canadian charity that works both in Africa and here at home.
EWB volunteers work with local partners when they go abroad. Two Concordia students, Alain Chung and Danish Rehman, did internships last summer. Another student, Megan Putnam, is training to go to Ghana this year.
“In Canada, we focus on public education,” D’Rozario said. “Each month we hold a series of idTalks, which focus on international development issues.
“Our returned overseas volunteers often facilitate these events. We encourage everyone to come out to them, as you do not need any engineering or international development experience to participate. Concordia students have shown great support.”
In January, the EWB chapter launched a quarterly newsletter with contributions from the university and sponsors. It will be a forum for development issues, and get students interested in EWB projects and events. It’s on the website, concordia.ewb.ca.
Long time ago, people were fishing here was taken by Jean-Luc Ratté-Boulianne, of EWB Sherbrooke, in Samine, Mali. “Just before the rainy season, the Galo riverbed virtually dries out, leaving a pond where hundreds of fish are trapped. Once a year, since time immemorial, local villagers come together for this ancient fishing event.”
Four-month summer placements are offered to any two students from Concordia who wish to go overseas in the summer of 2009. Applications for these two places will open in October 2008.
There is also a one- to two-year placement available for graduates of any program through the EWB national office.