Students develop low-cost water filtering system for African nation
the holes that filter the water,” said Hansen.
Designing the filter was only one of many challenges. While adequate housing was provided in a local hotel, living in Nyeri, a small town about three hours north of Nairobi between the Aberdare Mountains and Mount Kenya, the students had to adjust to the differences of the lifestyles in Africa. Hansen refers to his many negotiations with local merchants to acquire materials for the filters only to be bewildered by the difficulty of getting around, and noted the challenges of visiting more than thirty stores in a matter of two days for products that could be purchased immediately from a large hardware store in the United States.
The project was based out of the Children Youth Empowerment Center, which takes in children from families unable to support them. Similar to a boarding school, the center provides meals, recreational activities, job training and education for the children.
Students connected with local community
One of the most rewarding experiences for Hansen was meeting Mark (not his real name), an HIV-positive 13-year-old in the center. Since Mark had no family and is often ostracized from others, they adopted him as a part of their small HESE group. Hansen said Mark made many contributions to the project.
Kim described the difficulties of communication as an international student but described the warm welcome she received by the children, who were excited to braid her hair and play with her. Kim said she also appreciated the beauty of the landscape of Kenya and Tanzania.
In spite of difficulties with the water filter project, the two development students pursued a second project in micro-financing during their trip. They paired with ROSCA, a credit group that works with other institutions and businesses to provide for the financial needs of women. The money is used for school fees, funerals, newborns and children.
The students took a leadership position in the program and are looking at ways to help it evolve. “This project is our baby!” said Kim, discussing their involvement in the economic assistance initiative. The students aim to have the results of the microfinance project published in an international journal later this year, in the hope of achieving cooperation with more African organizations.
In moving forward, both Hansen and Kim said they hope to see the project grow. Hansen is considering taking on a larger role in the project, like alumnus Andrea Grybowski, who worked with the program in Africa for about six months after graduation. Likewise, Kim wants to be involved in a similar NGO based out of South Korea, working towards development in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Now I’m realizing my dreams and my goals in international affairs. When I came here, I didn’t know how to do poverty reduction. Now I do,” said Kim.
Being able to engage with communities in Kenya and work on the ceramic water filter project has had an immense impact on Hansen and Kim’s personal and academic lives. Collaboration with other members and departments of the Penn State community has been instrumental in achieving the positive outcomes. Without the help and support of the various team members, the level of success could never have been achieved. The students expressed thanks to fellow students Amanda Perez and Mike Henry for help on press designs using appropriate technology for the community, Penn State faculty member Stephen Carpenter for sharing his vast knowledge in this area and providing space to work in his reservoir studio, Bradley University student Kailey Perez for her input and hard work in Kenya, and Penn State faculty member Khanjan Mehta, director of the HESE program.
