EWB-USA is a Collaborating Organization, recognized by Rotary International. And EWB and Rotary are aligned on the core principles of community-initiated, community-resourced, community-sustained solutions to water-hygiene-sanitation, agriculture, education, and other challenges faced by communities around the world.
So, it was a natural fit for EWB-Houston to participate in the House of Friendship at the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, June 4-8, 2022.
More than twenty EWB Volunteers from four chapters staffed the Engineers Without Borders booth. Chapters represented included:
- Central Houston Professional Chapter
- South Houston – also known as Johnson Space Center – Professional Chapter
- Greater Austin Chapter (a combined Professional and Student Chapter)
- University of Houston Student Chapter
A special thanks goes to Chris Hornaman, EWB Member of Lehigh Valley Professional Chapter and Rotarian, for joining us in the booth on Tuesday. Also, Graham Sharp, from the Rotary Club of Houston, who is a sponsor of a Rotary International Grant funding our Peru Project. It was a real treat to have these Rotarians and champions of EWB-USA generously offer their time.
During the five days of the Rotary International Convention, we engaged with several hundred Rotarians in meaningful, informative conversations.
We shared personal stories about projects we have completed in the past, and current projects underway in Kenya, Thailand, Peru, Nicaragua, Philippines, and Austin. We met Rotarians from Uganda, Guatemala, Ecuador and Nicaragua, where EWB-USA has country offices. And we made sure Rotarians from other countries in Central and South America and Africa knew about these Regional Offices.
It was exhilarating when a Rotarian approached our booth to tell us that their Rotary Club is currently working with an EWB-USA Chapter on a project, either through a Global Grant or regular Club funding, or had worked with EWB in the past on projects. And it was very rewarding to be asked by many Rotarians how they could find out about EWB-USA Projects that they could support in many areas of service.
It was a fantastic experience to be part of building a stronger relationship between Rotary and EWB-USA. We want to say “THANK YOU” to all the Rotarians who came to our booth. We will be contacting everyone who signed our visitor book or left us a contact card. We will let them know the nearest EWB-USA Chapter, Office, or Project in their city, state or country, or to address other questions they asked us during our conversations.
It is our hope that this will lead to many more common projects, helping thousands of people around the world!
Lucy Gebhart
2022 Vice President-Development
Central Houston Professional Chapter
Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA)
