Rwanda Project

Project Leads: Jack Bacon and Tyler-Blair Sheppard

Project Summary

EWB-JSC began working in Rwanda in 2005 and has developed a strong relationship with the community through solar powered lighting, rainwater catchment, and water purification projects. Most recently the director for the local orphanage, Victor, has asked for our assistance with drying fruit grown on the property. Funding for this orphanage is running out, and in order to stay open he must make the orphanage economically sustainable. As an agricultural engineer, Victor has cultivated large quantities of pineapple, mango, and guava to sell. However, it is not feasible to make a reasonable profit on these products unless they are dried and exported. EWB-JSC has taken on the challenge to develop technology the orphanage can use to dry the fruit in order to remain open for the children.

A solar fruit drying solution is being investigated for implementation and evaluation in Rwanda over the fall of 2011. A prototype has already been built and is ready for testing. A commercially available dryer purchased by the chapter is being used to develop the process for drying the fruit that the other prototype will then replicate. It will also be shipped out to Rwanda for the implementation and used in conjunction with a diesel generator as electricity is not available at the orphanage. Once Victor has had the chance to use these technologies in the field, he will provide us with feedback and begin working towards a scalable system to dry all the fruit that will be produced.

Our projects wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of others. If you are interested in getting involved with the Rwanda project, please contact us for more information. We are always happy to receive new volunteers or donations!

Rwanda Project Documents

Posters

Reports