Engineering in the Peace Corps

Engineering in the Peace CorpsRPCV Jillian Churchill Honduras 2009-2011About MeBS ChemistryMS Environmental Engineering

No SpanishNo Design Experience

Water and Sanitation EngineerHonduras

Peace Corps BackgroundSix to 12 months from application to arrival in country11 weeks of trainingCultural/ LanguageTechnicalLive and work in one site for 2 years

Where I LivedEl ParaisoTown of ~25,000On the border with Nicaragua72 villages that were served

Overview of ProjectsSecondary ProjectsCoachingScience DayClubsEnglish ClassesHIV/AIDS awarenessTreatment of AnimalsPrimary ProjectsPotable water systemsRainwater collectionImproved StovesTrainingsTroubleshooting SystemsLatrinesEnvironmental ConservationSanitation Improvement

Potable Water Systems

Surveyed for 6 systemsAverage of 50 householdGet dropped off for unknown amount of timeDesigned 5 systemsUsed massive Excel spreadsheetTroubleshooting for existing systemsPressure problemsWater shortage problemsAdditions to systemsImproved Sanitation100 Hours of Training for each systemOne person from each household must attendBuilding LatrinesGive each step at a timeBuilding Improved StovesImproves Lung and Eye HealthUses 20% of firewoodBecomes Womens project

Water Board TrainingEach community has its own Water BoardIn charge of:Setting/ Collecting FeesMaintaining SystemCommunity SanitationMade of community membersNormally Receive Little TrainingBook Developed by PCVs

Important Aspects of Community TrainingCultural DifferencesEducation Level DifferencesContinuing MonitoringLogistics

Other Training

Technical Training La JAMBasic SurveyingDesign Principle BasicsTraineesEverything they will need to knowSecondary Projects

TRIPS!!!!!!!

TRIPS !!!!

Whats Happening in Honduras

Agricultural/ Environmental DamageTrash2009 CoupDrug/ Gang Violence2012:Peace Corps pulls out of Honduras

Honduras named most dangerous countryQuestions?