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EDSI Continues to Support School in India founded by Grandfather of EDSI President George John

When EDSI Environmental Scientist Jonathan Matheny first traveled to Kerala, India with EDSI President George John in November of 2008, he didn’t know what to expect.  However, his trip was so inspiring that he and Survey Coordinator Brett Brooks endured the grueling 26 hour journey a second time this Fall, to return to the school in Ullanoor that John’s grandfather founded in 1937.  “It is amazing how great of a need there is for support in rural India.  The children there have almost nothing, and yet they are so happy.  It is incredibly rewarding to know that the resources we are providing them will help them to further their educations.  It’s great to be able to have this type of impact,” stated Matheny.    Brett Brooks was equally motivated by the situation.  “When we arrived, the resources available at the school were very limited.  The children sat on the floor to eat lunch and their bathroom was just a concrete slab outside without even a roof.  In the week we were there, we set up a new computer provided by EDSI for the teachers and students, categorized all the new reference books we brought, got to see the new handmade benches that EDSI ordered from a local carpenter and compiled biographical information on the students.   We even completed a site survey and determined soil content for future projects. It was really an experience,” explained Brooks.  There are also plans to install modern restroom facilities for the students and staff, and to provide additional supplies and assistance to the school.  “We felt very welcomed by the hospitality of the community and the genuine appreciation for what we were attempting to achieve.  The greater population was overwhelmingly kind and everyone we met was generous and treated us as family,” said Matheny.

After hearing about the work that EDSI’s staff had been doing in Ullanoor, Engineer’s Without Borders took an interest in the project and the St. Louis Professional EWB Chapter has become involved.  George John will be leading a team of 4 engineers from EDSI, Black and Veatch, and Horner and Shifrin to India in June of 2010 to complete several projects including a preliminary assessment of the needs of 12 families who are currently living in huts without water, electricity or sewers.  Additionally the team will be gathering info and meeting with a contractor to finalize the building of bathroom facilities at the school.  “It’s nice to see the enthusiasm from the engineering community and the support both large and small engineering firms have shown by participating in the Engineer’s Without Borders 5 year EWB India Project is incredible,” said John. 

For more information on how to get involved with this project or the Engineers Without Borders

St. Louis Professional Chapter please visit:  http://www.ewb-stl.org/  or contact George John and GJ@engdesignsource.com