Lying north of center in the fourth largest island in the world is a remote village home to over 180 residents who live sustainably off of the rich Malagasy countryside. Maventibao, Madagascar is located 3 hours away from any major city or town and is often not accessible by vehicle. With limited contact with surrounding cities, Maventibao residents make up a close, independent community that has flourished despite unfavoring circumstances. Mada Clinics is a small NGO that assists communities like Maventibao and other surrounding villages by providing medical services and acting as a liaison for international volunteers such as Engineers Without Borders. EWB’s program with the NGO and Maventibao started in 2012 and was signed with the University of California at Irvine chapter in 2015. 

 

Engineers Without Borders’ stated mission is to empower communities to meet their basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the world's most pressing challenges. One of Maventibao’s most pressing challenges remains to be immediate access to potable water, specifically close to the village. The community’s water source is located a quarter mile south at a spring that provides a steady flow of fresh water all year. Currently, it is estimated to cost each family over two hours per day carrying buckets of water from this source to use for drinking, cooking, washing, and much more. Furthermore, a lack of water storage means that there is little water reserved during peak demand times, causing acute shortages. This project aims to eliminate these problems by piping water directly into the village for storage and distribution. 

 

In association with the EWB-OC and EWB-USA, our team has developed a solution over the past year to provide the community with the local access to water they need. To ensure a successful design, EWB-UCI is emphasizing the simplicity to remain durable, cost effective, and replicable. Once installed we hope to leave Maventibao with something that will last for years to come and enable the community to continue its remarkable growth. 

 

Due to health concerns in Madagascar, EWB-UCI was forced to postpone from July 2019. We are currently perfecting our designs and fundraising so that we are ready to go as soon as conditions are safe.

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Latest Update

With continuing spread of the Schistosomiasis parasite in northern Madagascar, EWB-UCI’s proposed design for a water pipeline has been nullified do to concerns about water source contamination. Our team is expediting its review of a groundwater well that can be integrated quickly and provide better quality standards than before. Engineers Without Borders is committed to seeing Maventibao with a reliable source of potable water as it is imperative to any medical treatment.