EWB-NAU Yua Development Project: Northern Ghana: Day 27-28: Dijya Island

Day 27: Traveling

After two days of travel, we have arrived in Dokokro, a peninsula on Lake Volta. This evening we met Dr. Akunzule for dinner to discuss our plans for Dijya island, where we will spend tomorrow night, and will hopefully be installing a simple solar lighting system. We are in the Volta region now, so travel has become difficult. Any direction we go requires crossing water, and although there are a few normal routes, they do not reach the area that we will be going. Tomorrow we will be on a boat for 5 hours in order to reach the clinic where we will be working.

Day 28: Island

We have returned from Dijya Island after a successful trip. The community's welcome was spectacular. The dancing and singing was similar to that in Yua, but had a feel of its own. The solar light installation went smoothly, although the panels look out of place on the thatched roof. Thank you to all who donated material to make this installation possible.

I am excited to see what the future holds for our relationship with the Dijya Island.

Matt

Engineers Without Borders at Northern Arizona University (EWB-NAU)

Engineers without Borders (EWB) is an international non-profit organization that uses simple engineering technologies to improve the quality of life in communities around the world.

EWB at NAU is dedicated to the international EWB mission. We also emphasize the development of global awareness among students at NAU through experiential learning in the communities we serve. All of our efforts are supported through the generous support of donors like you.

To support us financially, visit: alumni.nau.edu

The Yua Project

The Background:
The community of Yua lies in northern Ghana, just south of the Burkina Faso border in the Upper-East region. In the Fall semester of 2006, Engineers without Borders at Northern Arizona University accepted a proposal to collaborate with Yua in an effort to improve their quality of life. This partnership is considered to be a multi-year endeavor between EWB-NAU and Yua. The proposal’s goals include three distinct phases.

The Need:
More than 3,000 people in the Yua do not have adequate access to water and sanitation facilities. This has contributed to the existence of preventable disease, sickness, and death in this community. The high child mortality rate in this area can partly be attributed to waterborne diseases.

Our Partners:
Ghana Poultry Network: This organization based in Ghana works to assist rural farmers in meeting their basic needs.

Afrikids: Over ten years experience in N. Ghana, working for the welfare of children.

EWB-NAU Yua Development Project: Northern Ghana

Day 27-28: Dijya Island

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