2002
EWB-USA Founded
Dr. Bernard Amadei and a small team of collaborators launched the first Engineers Without Borders effort after engineering a water sanitation and distribution system for San Pablo, Belize.
Project Timeline
Engineers Without Borders USA and EWB-UD share a proud history of creating positive global impact.
Explore the timeline below to learn more.
EWB-UD Founded
The late Dr. Steve Dentel, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, founded the University of Delaware chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
2006
2007
Cameroon Project Began
EWB-UD's first official project began in Bamendjou, Cameroon, with the goal of improving the quality, quantity, and access to clean drinking water in two villages.
Guatemala Project Began
EWB-UD began its San Jose, Guatemala project to construct a bridge over a river that became flooded and difficult to cross in the rainy season.
2008
2013
Cameroon Project Ended
After seven trips covering assessment, implementation, and monitoring of a water sanitation and distribution system, EWB-UD's partnership with the Bamendjou region officially came to a close.
Guatemala Project Ended
Following assessment, bridge implementation, and continued monitoring, EWB-UD officially concluded its partnership with the community of San Jose, Guatemala.
2013
2014
Malawi Project & Partnership with Mphero Began
EWB-UD began a new program in the Sakata region of Malawi and selected Mphero as the first village to address, focusing on the need for potable water.
Philippines Project Began
EWB-UD launched a new partnership with Ubujan, Philippines, aiming to bring sanitary, potable water to the community through communal taps and a sanitation system.
2015
2016
Implementation in Mphero Completed
After two assessment trips, the Malawi project team completed an implementation trip in August 2016 that delivered a borehole well and hand pump in Mphero.
Malawi Project Expanded to Chilimani
Immediately after the Mphero implementation, EWB-UD partnered with nearby Chilimani and oversaw the construction of two borehole wells and hand pumps.
2018
2018
Philippines Team Completed Assessment
Between 2015 and 2018, the Philippines team completed three assessment trips, built community relationships, and assembled a technical advisory board for the Ubujan effort.
Malawi Team Partnered with Liti and Nkagula
The Malawi project team reached out to the communities of Liti and Nkagula and completed an assessment trip to identify water source locations and meet key community members.
2019
2020
Implementation in the Philippines Completed
Across two implementation trips in 2019 and 2020, the Philippines project oversaw construction of a chlorination facility and more than 1000 meters of water distribution piping.
Structures Project Begins
EWB-UD partnered with Engineers in Action to start a new project in Jatun Pampa, Bolivia, centered on a pedestrian suspension bridge for community access.
2021
2022
First Bridge Built with EIA
In collaboration with Georgia Tech and Eastern Mennonite University, UD students designed and built a bridge for the Jatun Pampa community in Bolivia.
Second Bridge Built with EIA
After the 2022 success, the team completed a second bridge in Bolivia's Rio Fisculco community through a collaboration with Iowa and Western Ontario.
2023
2024
New Partnerships in Khanda and Mgwalangwa
EWB-UD concluded its original Sakata plans but expanded its work by officially partnering with Khanda and Mgwalangwa to continue pursuing sustainable water access.
Structures Team Malawi Surveyal
In May 2025, the Structures Team traveled to Malawi to assess a flood-damaged vehicle bridge and collect structural data for the rehabilitation design phase.
2025
2025
Boreholes in Khanda & Health Team Exploration
The Malawi Water Team returned to Khanda to implement two boreholes near Lake Chilwa and also began exploring a new Malawi Health Team initiative through clinic visits and interviews.
Northeast Regional Engineers Without Borders Conference
Our team hosted the first Northeast Regional Conference with over 186 attendees from over 20 chapters. We held workshops and had insightful keynote speakers
2025
Beyond the Timeline