Past Trips

Assessment Trip I

EWB-AUS first traveled to Sieykin in January, 2009. The principal goal of this assessment trip was to become familiar with the community and to determine if Sieykin’s residents were interested in partnering with EWB-AUS for a community development project. With the help of several community members, the group conducted basic topological surveys, water tests of the sources and household interviews. After consulting with the people of Sieykin, EWB-AUS members decided that water treatment and hygiene education would constitute the first phase of the program in Panama. It was also decided that the pilot system will be implemented in the Centro sector where the school and clinic are located.

Assessment Trip II

In August 2009, another team of seven students and a professional mentor conducted the second assessment of Sieykin. Tasks completed on the trip included water testing, land surveying, a materials availability survey, a community health assessment and an assessment of appropriate technology for a water supply system. In meetings with the newly elected water committee and other community leaders, the group discussed the project plans and established the roles and responsibilities of EWB, the water committee, and other community members. EWB members also launched a health education campaign to explain the process of disease transmission, the connection between the community’s water quality and health problems, and the importance of handwashing. The group also met with a local Rotary Club, other NGOs, and the Panamanian Ministry of Health to discuss future collaboration and partnership.

You can download the complete Post-Assessment Trip Report (522) for both trips by following this link: http://sites.google.com/site/ewbauspanama/library/ewb-documents