Engineering Public Service Experience: Student Profile

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Megan Hoarfrost Year: 2007 Major/Dept: Chemical Engineering Summer 2006 Experience: Intern with SEED Location: Kampala, Uganda Project: Biogas digester, solar water disinfection, technology education, water harvesting system

1 – What was the nature of your experience?

I was a 2006 SEED Intern, a program with Engineers For a Sustainable World, National chapter. Along with four other SEED Interns, I worked with a local NGO called VEDCO (Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns) as well as some Makerere University (located in Kampala, the capital of Uganda) students and faculty in a rural town in Uganda, called Kamuli. We participated in several sustainable agricultural projects in the villages surrounding Kamuli town. The three main projects we worked on were constructing a biogas digester, promoting Solar Water Disinfection in the community and teaching people in the community about the technology, and constructing a water harvesting system for one family. We also researched future projects in the area. For instance, I began an ecological sanitation project that will hopefully be continued next summer.

2 – Why did you choose this engineering and public service experience?

I am very interested in sustainable technologies and international development. I wanted to use my engineering skills to work on projects of that nature. Additionally, I love to travel and learn about new cultures. My internship perfectly combined all of those interests.

3 - What did you enjoy the most about the experience?

The thing I enjoyed most about my experience was actually constructing a physical project that made some sort of a difference to community members. It was amazing to work side by side with community members every single day, and get to know them very well, and then, when the project was finished, to look at the actual physical finished product, and know that it is being used right away to improve the community.

4 – What was the most challenging aspect?

The most challenging aspect of the summer was the lack of instruction. We made our own schedule, so what we accomplished every day was completely up to us. Time slowed down a lot in the rural town, so we often felt unproductive and inefficient. But it was also very rewarding at the end of the summer to know that so much of the productivity was in our own hands.

5 – What recommendations would you have for other students wanting to work through this or a similar experience?

Apply! And also, make sure you are self-motivated and ready to get your feet wet. For a volunteer program like this, you can make of it whatever you want, so take advantage of the opportunity!

Pictures Courtesy of Megan Hoarfrost