Engineering A Better World: Ethiopia Project

About the Project

We are grateful for your interest in learning about our education and sanitation project for Dire Dawa, Ethiopia through Engineering a Better World at UCLA. Having partnered and received two grants from United Support of Artists for Africa, we have constructed a sanitation system and provided clean-water access within a primary school of 2500 children and teachers in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Our project met its goals of designing and constructing 8 latrines and installing a new water tank to maintain latrine cleanliness and increase water access this past year. With the successful completion of the first project, we hope to expand to other schools with similar sanitation requirements and build new latrines and install water tanks to serve as many students as possible.

About the Community

Dire Dawa (ድሬዳዋ) is a diverse city in eastern Ethiopia with a population of around 450,000. Its establishment dates back to 1902 when it became a major stop on the new railway line connecting the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to its neighboring country, Djibouti. Dire Dawa remains a major transportation hub, especially for the holy Islamic city Harar about 30 miles away. The Dachatu Wadi (river) running through Dire Dawa separates the city into two regions: Kezira, the colonial style quarter with European influence, and Megaala, the old islamic quarter with a large Muslim population. The melting pot of Dire Dawa stands as a testament to Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage and progressive development.

Assessment Trips & Current State of Project

In January of 2023, we were invited by USAFA and the Dire Dawa community to start a major partnership between our organization, Engineering a Better World at UCLA, and the Dire Dawa community. As part of this collaboration, our team visited Dire Dawa, located in Eastern Ethiopia, with the purpose of identifying the community’s most pressing infrastructure needs.

During our visit, we had the privilege of engaging in a week-long collaboration with various key stakeholders, including the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, the UN Representative for African Economic Development, senior management from Dire Dawa University, local school principals, and members of the Dire Dawa community. This collaboration proved to be highly successful and resulted in the inception of several infrastructure projects.

Among these projects, one stands out as particularly crucial: the construction of latrines at local public schools in Dire Dawa. This is the specific initiative for which we are currently seeking fundraising support. We believe that addressing the sanitation needs of schools is of utmost importance, and we invite you to join us in making a positive impact on the lives of the students and the entire Dire Dawa community.

Below are the results of the first of hopefully many iterations of our project. Construction has completed on a new latrine pit and water tank for the bathrooms of the Ganda Garada primary school in Dire Dawa.