Volunteer Placements Available for Engineers & Technical Specialists

EWB field volunteer Michael Brown with a local team at the Community Waste Treatment Barge which is under construction.  Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia. Photo: Max Shapria

SPONSORED ARTICLE: Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is searching for volunteers who will start new overseas placements in August 2012.

This is an opportunity for engineers and technical specialists to travel overseas and contribute to the work EWB does in disadvantaged communities in Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India.

A wide range of engineering skills are valued in these placements, with disciplines including water and sanitation, energy and education. Past volunteers have contributed to a variety of projects including building a training centre for the education for prosthetics – orthotists in Sri Lanka and a new toilet for a community in Cambodia that lives on water.

Volunteer placements vary from 10 – 24 months in country and volunteers are provided with a living allowance, flights, accommodation and support.

There are currently 16 positions available and applications close on Sunday 8th April, 2012.

EWB works with disadvantaged communities to improve the quality of life through education and the implementation of sustainable engineering projects.

Engineers Without Borders CEO, Lizzie Brown says volunteering overseas is a great way for engineers to make a real difference in developing communities.

“ Engineers grow personally and professionally and return with global perspectives that can shape the future of engineering in Australia,” Brown says.

An EWB volunteer engineer, Madeleine Jenkins, who has recently returned from India said "During my time as an EWB volunteer, I embraced the richness of Indian culture from learning the language, indulging in spicy curries, sweets, spirituality, and participating in religious festivities.

“But most important for me was the interaction with marginalised people and insight into the strength of the human spirit. I witnessed people in helpless situations forced to live and work on the mines in shocking conditions for survival.

“EWB's community partner, Santulan, empowered the communities to realise their basic human rights and mobilised the government to take action. I found Santulan's selfless commitment and dedication to the cause truly inspiring and changed my outlook for life!" said Jenkins.

Detailed position descriptions and information about how to apply is available on the EWB website.