Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a non-profit organization that serves developing communities in third world countries. At the Rose-Hulman Chapter of EWB, students are devoted to helping those who don’t have necessary knowledge, skills or resources available to them and are in need of our help. While we are primarily invested in helping those in developing communities world-wide, we are also invested in helping those who live within our own community. EWB has been involved in multiple local projects, including a partnership with Servants At Work, and our participation in the Rose-Hulman Day of Service.
One of the main local projects that EWB works is in partnership with Servants at Work (SAWs),another non-profit organization that is run by multiple organizations and churches of different faiths. Members of EWB work with members of SAWs to build wheelchair ramps that help those within our local community of Terre Haute. These wheelchair ramps assist those who are disabled or elderly become independent, providing them with an easier access point between their house and the outside world. At every build there is a member of EWB who acts as the project manager and multiple other volunteers who aid in the construction of the ramp. Using an already-prepared design, our members build the wheel chair ramp and ensure that it is stable and safe. At these builds, our members are able to use their engineering knowledge and apply it in a practical way that helps better the local community. Our members also gain valuable construction experience that they can apply on our international projects.
Another local project that Rose-Hulman’s chapter of EWB participates in is called Day of Service, the annual Volunteer Service day at Rose-Hulman. Each year, our members take the opportunity to help out and make a positive contribution to our local community. 
For the 2012-2013 school year, our members supported Deborah’s Houses, a group of houses in Terre Haute that are used as homes for homeless single mothers and their children. While there, our members performed a number of tasks to clean up and repair the houses, such as pulling up carpeting, painting the walls, whitewashing a fence, and cleaning out a basement and garage. Together, our members were able to enjoy some time together and help out the local community.
At Rose-Hulman, the members of EWB are dedicated to helping those in need, whether they live within our own community or outside of it. Together, we are making a difference at home and around the world!
