About EWB-SFP - Overview
Engineers Without Borders - San Francisco Professionals (EWB-SFP) was established in 2004 as the first professional chapter of EWB-USA. EWB-USA is a non-profit organization headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, with the mission to partner with developing communities to improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally sustainable, equitable, and economical engineering projects while developing internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.
Our chapter has approximately 80 members and is currently involved with the implementation of projects in Tanzania (water supply, solar, and health), India (integrated village development), Sri Lanka (orphanage construction), and Haiti (power systems). All projects involve partnership with host communities and non-governmental organizations and some are in collaboration with other EWB chapters. We also have an Appropriate Technology Design Team (ATDT) that supports our projects and develops creative, low-tech, and cost-effective designs that can be used and marketed in the developing world. The ATDT is working with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to develop improved cookstove technology for Internally Displaced Peoples in Darfur, Sudan.
We hold monthly chapter meetings with guest speakers from EWB projects and outside organizations doing work on sustainable development and appropriate technology. We also have annual fundraising events to raise funds and awareness for projects and promote the EWB community in the Bay Area. The Outreach Committee promotes the Chapter and works on establishing relationships with like-minded organizations to further develop the Chapter’s capabilities and impact. There are also plans to hold hands-on workshops for our members to learn practical project skills.