Melissa Yuan ’20

Major

Chemistry

Project Title

Potable-Water System for Kiburanga and Kubweye

Presentation Link

View Melissa's Presentation

Certificate(s): Engineering Biology

Princeton EWB Kenya has been working in the Kuria West district of southwest Kenya since 2013. The team has designed and implemented three rainwater catchment systems in the communities of Komosoko and Muchebe. This year, in addition to monitoring the success of the past projects, we implemented borehole wells and handpumps at Kubweye Primary School and Kiburanga Primary School. We learned from community surveys that families in the area frequently wait in long lines for water, especially during the dry season. They often resort to drinking untreated river water, which leads to typhoid outbreaks. We were excited to hit enough water at both well sites to sustain the students and faculty at the primary schools and provide water for the surrounding community. The team also encouraged the election of, and held trainings for, water committees at both schools that will handle the operation, maintenance and finances for the boreholes. We handed over ownership and responsibility for the boreholes to the water committees, and we are confident that these dedicated people will ensure the boreholes can serve the schools for many years.



Internship Year

2018

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