The Ecuador Project has been an ongoing international project at the Ohio State chapter of Engineers Without Borders since 2022. During summer 2022, students at EWB-OSU traveled to the community to assess the project and establish a relationship with the Non-Government Organization (NGO). The final project was building a second story addition to a school building on the campus of UECIB Aquiles Pérez Tamayo in Carrera, Ecuador. The purpose of this structural project was to create additional learning space for older students at the school, since classroom space was limited.
Over the next 3 years, EWB-OSU fundraised for approximately $52,000 in construction costs. Once this money was ordained through grants, sponsorships, and donations, the project could be completed. Phase 1 of the project was reinforcing the first floor of the school building, and was completed over Winter 2024-2025 These reinforcements were done using a local method called Enchape, which is reinforcing concrete walls by removing the outer layer of plaster, applying a wire mesh to the walls, then sealing them with concrete and more plaster. Once these reinforcements were determined to be structurally sound, phase two of the construction could begin.
Phase 2 or the second story addition, was completed during July 2025. The travel team consisted of the project lead Kian Baker, committee leads Alyssa Coladangeo, Will Price, and Eddie Leonardo, and general body members Aleksandra Claflin and Matt Mennel. The students traveled to Ecuador for 10 days to monitor the construction of the steel roof frame, and make sure that the current concrete columns and beams were structurally sound. The construction verification was aided by our two travel mentors, Jeff Benway and Natalie Merrill.
While in Ecuador, the team tested the welds on the steel roof frame using a dye penetrant test kit and identified pinholes in various welds. Along with the welding errors, Jeff Benway identified slight honeycombing in the concrete columns. These were brought to the attention of Stalin Quishpe, the contractor for the project, our NGO, FIEA, and our Responsible Engineer In Charge (REIC), Dennis Mialki. Together, these groups came up with solutions to these construction issues. The welds were redone and an epoxy was used to seal the concrete. In addition, the REIC identified the screws on the roof needed to be sealed with polyurethane to prevent leaks in the future, which was implemented into the construction plan. These problems that arose during the team’s monitoring were handled effectively, and there were no outstanding issues when the team departed.
The implementation trip to Carrera, Ecuador was a fulfilling and eye-opening experience for the whole team. Everyone tried cuisine they had never had before, was immersed in a completely new culture, and got to explore cities like Quito and Cayambe outside of the time spent in the community. As the Ecuador project comes to a close with only the monitoring and evaluation trip left to complete, EWB-OSU is grateful for the experience to work with such kind and welcoming people.
Engineers Without Borders-USA 