Kalil Shaw ’21

Major

Electrical Engineering

Project Title

The Implementation of a Solar-Powered Water System for Kuria West, Kenya

Presentation Link

View Kalil's Presentation

Certificate(s): Global Health and Health Policy

The Princeton Engineers Without Borders-Kenya team has been collaborating with the Kuria West district of southwest Kenya since 2012. Since then, the team has designed and implemented three rainwater catchment systems in the communities of Komosoko and Muchebe and two handpump borehole wells in Kiburanga and Kubweye. This year, we expanded the Kubweye system by constructing a distribution system powered by a solar-powered submersible pump. We also conducted house surveys in Kubweye and had formal meetings with members from other communities as part of our commitment to the sustainability of these projects. During our trip, we worked alongside contracted workers and community volunteers to overcome the challenges of implementing a water system. As a team of students from diverse backgrounds, this project helped inspire our future academic aspirations at Princeton and we hope to continue increasing our impact in the community to provide access to water.



Internship Year

2019

Project Category

Water and Health

Organization(s)

Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Princeton Chapter, Kenya - Isebania, Migori County, Kenya

Mentor(s)

Peter Jaffe, William L. Knapp ’47 Professor of Civil Engineering, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University; Mahiri Mwita, Lecturer in Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies; Larry Martin, Responsible Engineer in Charge, EWB