It’s finally hitting me.

I am currently sitting at the Toronto Pearson Airport, awaiting my flight to Accra, the capital of Ghana. My slight sense of lethargy gas is muting many of my senses, leaving only the feeling that comes with an exponentially increasing heart rate. It’s surreal, and in the 6 months that I have been preparing for this moment this is the first in which I am feeling any sort of elevated emotion. My mind is filled with thoughts: questions of my placement, of Ghana’s culture, society, and people and many more…

While preparing to spend the summer in Malawi there were many things that I was apprehensive about. Meeting the travel doctor made me aware of all the possible (likely and unlikely) ways I could cause harm to my body while living here- malaria, rabies, snake bites… the list goes on. Two days into my time here, the worst injury I have sustained is a goose egg on my forehead from smacking my head on the upper bunk of my bunk-bed. I get clumsy when I am tired.

See the full story on the Faculty of Engineering website (courtesy Rich Cairney): http://www.engineering.ualberta.ca/NewsEvents/Engineering%20News/2012/March/EngineersWithoutBordersnamedStudentGroupoftheYear.aspx

Members of the U of A student chapter of Engineers Without Borders have been recognized for their activities with the Student Group of the Year Award from the Students’ Union.

The results are in, and we'd like to take a moment to announce to you the exec for 2012-2013:

VP Advocacy: Rebecca Rubuliak
VP GE: Leanne Janke
VP YE: Raman Sidhu
VP ML (and JF): Annika Palm
VP Outreach: Brett McMillan
VP Finance: Tony Bacsa
Enabling Group: Tyler Heal, Rebecca Kresta, Meghan Pick
JF: Ryan Voon

They will be transitioning into their new roles over the coming weeks, so make sure to say hi when you see them!

Click below for event calendar and descriptions!

Interested in becoming more involved with the UofA chapter in one of the following areas? The application form is available below, and applications are due by March 2.

VP Youth Engagement
VP Advocacy
VP Global Engineering
VP Member Learning
Outreach Group
Enabling Group
VP Finance

Water: Rehydrate Your Mind is a one-day conference for high school students will be presented by the University of Alberta chapter of Engineers Without Borders on February 21, 2012. The three main topics are:

•     Local : First Nations versus Edmonton water quality
•     International WatSan, EWB's water and sanitation program in Malawi
•     Water Rights: Bottled water and the privatization of water

Sessions will involve water filtration activities, tours of water research facilities in the Faculty of Engineering, presentations by engineering students who have volunteered with water and sanitation projects in Malawi, and discussions on water privatization (e.g., bottled water) and access to clean water in Canada’s First Nations communities.

Registration for the conference has closed; if you have registered, we look forward to seeing you there, and you can find a more detailed schedule attached to this post!

If you're an EWB member, there are plenty of tasks to help with, from preparing for the conference to running each event. If you're interested in helping or would like to find out more, please email Jenn at jhiebert88@gmail.com.

2012-13 President Elections
Congratulations to Lucas Maidens and Alix Krahn, our new presidents for 2012-13! Over the coming weeks, they will be working with the current exec to further define chapter structure and roles for the coming year. Watch for the call for VP and Directorship positions over the next week

2012 Junior Fellows
Annika Palm and Ryan Voon have been chosen as the UofA chapter's JFs for the coming summer. They leave for predeparture training at the end of April, and should know what program area they will be working with soon.

Water: Rehydrate Your Mind - Inaugural Youth Conference
Want to help create, organize and run a sweet awesome conference on water issues for high school youth? There's plenty of tasks to help with, from preparing for the conference to running each event. If you'd like to be responsible for one aspect of the conference, you are definitely welcome to. If you're interested in helping or would like to find out more, please email Jenn at jhiebert88@gmail.com.

Telus World of Science Outreach Day
On March 8th, our EWB chapter has the opportunity to get involved with a day-long showcase of science and engineering for high school students at the TWoS. As part of this event, EWB will be running two identical half hour sessions (in the morning and afternoon) about Solving Problems that Matter. We will also have an EWB booth set up all day long. I'm looking for at least 3 volunteers to help out on March 8th! Email Ian at ian.f.t.wright@gmail.com if you're interested.

The UofA chapter was recently featured on Breakfast Television as a part of the upcoming Engg Expo. Check out the video at the following link: http://www.criticalmention.com/components/url_gen/play_flash.php?autoplay=1&clip_info=2247934683|0|59^2247936052|0|59^2247937427|0|59^

Thanks to all of those who came out to our first meeting on Wednesday, September 14! If you'd like to learn more about EWB, or if you weren't able to make it, we have an EWB 101 session running this Saturday (details below). Feel free to come for as much or as little as you're able to - you can come for whatever sessions you want, and leave if you have other commitments. Following EWB 101, there will also be a party at Sierra's house.

EWB 101
When: Saturday, September 17; 1-5pm
Where: CAB 229
What: Sessions on EWB's history, African and Canadian programs, leadership skills, and even some logistical details like National Conference and membership dues (as well as baking by the beautiful Tanya!).

EWB Party
When: Saturday, September 17; 7pm
Where: Sierra's House (Need the address? Come to EWB 101 or email ian@ualberta.ewb.ca)
What: Chill out after EWB 101, meet other chapter members, and have a good time partying!

Junior Fellowship Applications
Interested in working in Africa on the ground with EWB's African Programs?  Want to engage in an intensive learning and growth opportunity that will challenge you to push beyond your limits? The Junior Fellowship program is an exciting opportunity to contribute to EWB on the ground in Africa for four months as well as commit to making change a reality both in Africa as well as in Canada.

For more information on the program visit http://www.ualberta.ewb.ca/jf or email Fraser at frasermah@ewb.ca. Application forms are available for download below and are due by October 15th at midnight (emailed to frasermah@ewb.ca).