Providing a Safe and Reliable Water Supply in Rural Communities – 2027

Overview

Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordering South Africa and Mozambique. Based on information provided by the World Bank, the population is approximately 1.2 million, with just under 40% of the population estimated to have been living under the international $1.90 poverty line in 2016 and 2017. The goal of this project is to partner with the community to catalyze the construction of a water system to meet the health and mobility needs of multiple communities near Hlatikulu in the Shiselweni Region.

The community in the Shiselweni Region has a population of under 2,000 people and is primarily subsistence farmers. The project will benefit the townspeople and the nearby villages and businesses (small shops, markets, primary school, etc.).

Community Partnerships

Students in this program will work in collaboration with the staff of Engineers in Action (EIA), local masons, and construction workers to build the water system. Duke Engineers for International Development has teamed with EIA for multiple years in Eswatini, Rwanda and Bolivia, designing and constructing bridges and some water systems in similar settings in each of those countries.

The student designs will be conducted during the spring semester (as part of a half-credit (group) independent study project (CEE292)). All accepted DukeEngage team members will be expected to participate in the design process (with guidance from Dr. Schaad).

Once complete, the water supply project will contribute to the public health of the community.

Program Requirements

Coursework: The design for the projects will be developed by students enrolled in the half-credit independent study project (CEE292) in the spring. Enrollment in the class is required to be part of the DukeEngage program during the summer of 2027.

Personal Qualities: A willingness to work hard and live in spartan conditions.

Logistics

Housing, meals, and transportation: The team will live on a homestead in its community in one or two simple houses (sleeping on a concrete floor (or in a tent), CMU walls, thatched roof, pit latrine and bucket showers are typical). Upon arrival in the region, the team will do its initial grocery shopping and orientation before heading to the site. Local transport will most often be on the public transportation system (passenger vans, small buses, etc.). There will be sufficient cell service to communicate via text and calls on WhatsApp, as well as check emails.

Local safety, security, and cultural norms: We encourage students who have questions or concerns about health or safety in international programs to check Duke’s International SOS (ISOS) portal for relevant information. If you have special needs related to health, culture, disability, or religious practices, please contact the program director(s) or the DukeEngage office to discuss whether your needs can be accommodated in this program.

Academic Connections

This program is open to all and might especially appeal to students who want to fulfill requirements associated with their Global Health major or the Global Development Engineering Certificate.