Aug 16, 2026
Hello! My name is Evan Miller, and I am a third-year Computer Science student at the University of Delaware. I also serve as the Technology Chair for UD’s Engineers Without Borders chapter. I had the pleasure of being selected to join the Water Travel Team this August, where I will be traveling to Malawi to assist with the assessment and future planning of borehole wells in villages throughout the region.
On our second day in-country, we attended a church service in the town of Zomba. I, along with the team, immediately felt welcome to their community as we shared words and handshakes among the congregation. During this particular service, the youth were running all of the scriptures, sermons, and songs, which was very inspiring to see and went very smoothly. The music was a highlight of our day as they beautifully sang in both Chichewa and English. We also had the chance to introduce ourselves in front of everyone, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but ultimately led to smiling faces.
Later in the afternoon, we took a hike with some of our friends at Villages in Partnership (VIP) where we saw some incredible sights from the top of the Zomba Plateau. We were also able to see the Mulunguzi Dam, which holds water that flows down to the city for use. It was interesting to see the wildlife and vendors that were selling goods along the way to the top. Being tasked with documenting the trip and the creation of the post-trip promotional video, I was able to get some great footage using my phone, handheld camera, gopro, and DJI Mavic 2 drone. This hike was definitely one of the best excursions of the trip so far.
The biggest thing I have taken away from these experiences so far is that even through cultural and language barriers, laughter and gratitude are universal languages that show no boundaries. Playing soccer with the village children and having intimate conversations with the community members have shown me that connection does not always require words. A smile, a laugh, or a simple gesture of appreciation can communicate just as much as a conversation. These moments have reminded me that despite the differences between our cultures and backgrounds, there is a shared sense of humanity that can bring people together.