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EWB-KC returns to the Dominican Republic! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Laura Adams   

Batey Lima, Dominican Republic Secondary Assessment Trip, March 2009:

EWB-KC returned to Batey Lima this spring, traveling March 13-20 with the intention of focusing on education in the school using science experiments, songs, and stories.  The trip was a success and over the next few months, the team will work toward developing SODIS, solar cooking options, and strategizing the development of an adult literacy and English program in Lima...  

 

Batey Lima, Dominican Republic Secondary Assessment Trip, March 2009:

EWB-KC returned to Batey Lima this spring, traveling March 13-20 with the intention of focusing on education in the school using science experiments, songs, and stories.   We returned to Lima to find a new mayordomo (Leo Leo) who seems a very kind man and good replacement for Ramon, receptive to our involvement in education but still skeptical of any infrastructure changes.    The community leadership is very concerned about cedulas (identification of citizenship) and decreased work load due to increased use of machines. 

 In Batey Lima, the community is interested in focusing on education at this time.  They emphasized the need for English classes, adult literacy, and trade skills such as sewing.  Throughout the week, the EWB-KC team presented lessons in the classroom of Batey Lima, working with approximately 100 students grades K-6 to understand the source of microbes and how to prevent illness through handwashing and solar disinfection of water.  The team used petrifilms to document bacterial presence and effectiveness of handwashing.  The team presented a skit and a coloring book that served as a platform for discussing the importance of handwashing.  Working with the health promotora, Memena, a group of 15 women was gathered to learn and practice solar disinfection of water (looks to be very effective and accessible to all).  The women expressed interest in solar cooking options and the EWB team taught a workshop the next day to a group of 30 women, constructing four small solar ovens to start testing this home-based alternative.  The following day, members of the community taught the workshop to one another with EWB members to answer questions.Water quality tests were completed at seven taps in the community to analyze presence of total and fecal coliformes in water at both public and private taps.  The team tested the efficacy of solar disinfection and biosand treatment to determine basic removal rates of coliform bacteria using petrifilms.  Results demonstrated that SODIS was more effective than biosand at removing bacteria, both removed coliformes, but success was based on two components: 1. starting with a clean bottle, 2. sufficient sunlight during day.

 The schoolteachers and health promotora expressed interest in a handwashing station at the school where children are provided government-issued bread and milk.  On the final two days, the team constructed an outdoor handwashing station with three taps that drains into an existing garden within the school. 

 

Over the next few months, the team will work toward developing SODIS, solar cooking options, and strategizing the development of an adult school in Lima.  

The team was called upon to take an assessment of a local barrio in La Romana, Kilometer 6.  We mapped out the entire barrio of Kilometer 6,  taking water quality samples and getting basic information from Elza -- a strong community leader.  We're hoping to discuss potential engineering projects with some of the leadership via email over the next few months .

Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 April 2009 )
 
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