Ecuador Trip July 2025 – Phase 2 Completion

The Ecuador Project represents a long-standing international initiative for Engineers Without Borders at Ohio State University, beginning in 2022. The primary objective involved constructing a second-story addition to a school building at UECIB Aquiles Pérez Tamayo in Carrera, Ecuador, designed to expand classroom capacity for older students.

Over three years, the chapter raised approximately $52,000 through grants, sponsorships, and donations. Phase 1, completed during winter 2024–2025, involved reinforcing the first floor using the Enchape method — 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.

Phase 2 Travel Team

Phase 2 construction occurred in July 2025 with a seven-member team led by project lead Kian Baker, alongside committee leads Alyssa Coladangeo, Will Price, and Eddie Leonardo, plus general members Aleksandra Claflin and Matt Mennel. Travel mentors Jeff Benway and Natalie Merrill provided technical oversight.

Construction Challenges

The team identified and addressed several construction issues during the trip:

• Pinhole defects in steel roof frame welds, discovered via dye penetrant testing
• Honeycombing in concrete columns
• Roof screw sealing requiring attention before handoff

All issues were resolved before departure through collaboration with contractor Stalin Quishpe, the NGO FIEA, and Responsible Engineer In Charge Dennis Mialki.

Looking Ahead

The experience exposed participants to Ecuadorian culture and cuisine. The project now approaches full completion with only a monitoring and evaluation trip remaining — a testament to three years of student-led engineering and community partnership.