2010 EWB Challenge
The Scenario
The 2010 EWB Challenge requires students to use their problems solving and design skills to support he development of the Kooma Traditional Owners community in South-western Queensland. The design projects have been identified by EWB and our partner organisation in Queensland, The Kooma Traditional Owners Association. The following information will assist the design teams to conceptualise the issues involved with working in indigenous communities. Students can download a copy of the 2010 EWB Challenge Design Brief by clicking here. The 2010 EWB challenge video and Powerpoint presentation is also available.
2010 EWB Challenge Design Brief
Indigenous Australia in Context
Australia’s Indigenous population is the longest surviving continuous culture in the world. The oldest proven ancestor of Indigenous Australians is 40,000 year ago but it is widely believed that Indigenous Australians have been here for 60-100,000 years. Before colonisation Australia had between 750,000 and 1.4 million Indigenous people forming 250 distinct Indigenous nations with over 700 dialects and language groups (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009).
Today, the Indigenous population is approximately 2.6% of Australia’s population. They have great diversity of culture and language with strong cultural traditions still in place and around 145 languages still spoken throughout Australia. Indigenous Australians are part of the rich diversity of Australian culture contributing to art, dance, politics, sports, academia and the environmental movement (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009). However, the impact of colonisation and government policy on Indigenous Australians has resulted in a gap in living standards compared to other Australians.
EWB working in Remote Australia
EWB has partnerships with Indigenous Communities around Australia. In 2009, a total of thirty-one EWB volunteers undertook field work with EWB’s Indigenous community-partner organisations. Twelve volunteers travelled to Murra Murra to work with KTOAI on the Kooma Energy Project. This project aims to identify energy reduction opportunities and install solar panels to provide sustainable energy to the community. A further nine volunteers travelled to Bentinck Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria to work with the Kaiadilt Aboriginal Corporation and the Centre of Appropriate Technology (CAT) to build an amenities block and shelter. This team has now begun their preparation for the next trip to assist with the island maintenance program. Six Melbourne Water staff travelled to Murra Murra to work on waterway assessments and water management projects with the KTOAI. Four EWB Volunteers travelled to Shiptons Flat to work on infrastructure with the Bana Yarralji Bubu Aboriginal Corporation Ranger Program.
EWB has formed a number of other partnerships with Indigenous communities. The Western Australian Chapter (member group) has been developing a partnership with the Leedal Aboriginal Corporation, located in Fitzroy Crossing. Melbourne Water have signed a partnership agreement with KTOAI and EWB and completed their first site visit in August 2009. In Shipton’s Flat in Cape York, a unique model for working together has been developed with CAT, Aurecon, EWB and Bana Yarralji Bubu Corporation. This team of organisations will work towards constructing an amenities block.
The Kooma Traditional Owners Association
The Kooma Nation is located in south-west Queensland. Murra Murra and Bendee Downs are two adjoining properties which were acquired by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) in 1998 and officially granted to Kooma Traditional Owner’s Association Incorporated ( KTOAI) in January 2000. The properties are situated approximately 100km east of Cunnamulla.
The properties consist of two pastoral lease holdings and a small area of free-hold land with a total area of approximately 87,159 hectares (215 374 acres). This is substantially larger than any of the other properties in the region. There are currently two families who live permanently at Murra Murra and Bendee Downs, both acting as caretakers for the property. Other Kooma people visit for official business, courses, family gatherings and cultural reasons. The Kooma people experience many of the development challenges facing Indigenous people across Australia, as identified in the EWB Challenge Design Brief. The community is trying to address these issues, particularly education and employment, whilst creating hope and renewed pride in their people.
2009 EWB Challenge
The Scenario
The 2009 EWB Challenge requires students to use their problems solving and design skills to support the development of disadvantaged communities living on the Tonle Sap Lake and River in Cambodia. The design projects have been identified by EWB and our partner organisation in Cambodia, Live & Learn Environmental Education. The following information will assist the design teams to conceptualise the issues involved with living on and around the water.
2009 EWB Challenge Design Brief
The Tonle Sap in Context
The communities live and work largely on the water, either in floating buildings and boats that are moved seasonally with the lake levels; in stilted houses which are surrounded by water during the wet season and become land based in the dry, or
in small portable land based houses that are carried across the and according to the height of the lake. Less than 10% of the people living on or around the lake have access to safe drinking water or appropriate sanitation.* 37% of the population on and around the lake lives below the poverty line.*
EWB working in Cambodia
In the last decade, Cambodia has achieved national reconciliation, peace and stability following the Khmer Rouge era and subsequent years of conflict. A rising GDP (gross domestic product), improved access to primary education, declining child mortality rates and accession entry into the World Trade Organisation have all contributed to Cambodias strategy to meet its Millennium Development Goals. Despite the significant progress, Cambodia is still classified by the United Nations as a Least Developed Country (i.e. a country that scores low on both the Human Development Index and on indicators of socioeconomic development). EWB began working in Cambodia in 2003 and has since sent 16 volunteers on various programs with a focus on water and sanitation, disability access, IT, manufacturing and infrastructure working alongside a number of local partners. One of these partners is Resource Development International - Cambodia (RDIC).
Live& Learn
Live & Learn Environmental education (Live & Learn) is a non- profit organisation that works in action-focused environmental education. It was created in 1992 in
northern Queensland, Australia. In 1997 it moved on to become an international organisation with projects across several nations in the South Pacific, Indian oceans and Southeast Asia: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Cambodia and the Maldives. The environmental education work of Live & Learn aims to reduce
poverty while creating a sustainable future.
Live & Learn has several projects in Cambodia. One project focuses on environmental education, sustainable livelihood and human rights which engages
with communities living on and around the Tonle Sap Lake and River.
2008 EWB Challenge
The Scenario
The 2008 EWB Challenge focuses on a range of projects that will contribute towards the sustainable development of rural communities in Kandal Province, Cambodia. The following information will assist the design teams to conceptualise the issues involved.
2008 EWB Challenge Design Brief
EWB working in Cambodia
In the last decade, Cambodia has achieved national reconciliation, peace and stability following the Khmer Rouge era and subsequent years of conflict. A rising GDP, improved access to primary education, declining child mortality rates and accession entry into the World Trade Organisation have all contributed to Cambodias strategy to meet its Millennium Development Goals. Despite the significant progress, Cambodia is still classified by the United Nations as a Least Developed Country (i.e. a country that scores low on both the Human Development Index and on indicators of socioeconomic development). EWB began working in Cambodia in 2003 and has since sent 16 volunteers on various programs with a focus on water and sanitation, disability access, IT, manufacturing and infrastructure working alongside a number of local partners. One of these partners is Resource Development International - Cambodia (RDIC).
Resource Development International Cambodia
Resource Development International - Cambodia (RDIC) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to serving the people of Cambodia by developing and implementing unique resources and appropriate technologies to empower communities towards sustainable change. RDIC has developed expertise in many areas including heath, education, engineering, scientific research and agriculture. During 2006, two EWB volunteers worked with RDIC to document their ceramic water filter manufacturing process.
Water and Sanitation Projects
An estimated 69% of the population in Cambodia do not have access to safe drinking water and 72% do not have access to adequate sanitation (WHO, 2004). RDIC have implemented various projects designed to provide clean water to rural villages such as water purification systems, rain water harvesting systems, rope pump installations and arsenic testing. The construction of latrines and hand washing stations at rural schools resulted in improvements in the quality of life, overall health and education retention of Cambodian school children. Coupled with education, RDIC has made a sustainable difference in the overall health of Cambodia.
Laboratory Projects
RDIC have conducted water quality tests for surface and well water in Cambodia since 1998. In 2003, the laboratory expanded to accommodate an ever growing need to 5 monitor water quality. At present the RDIC laboratory is the number one arsenic tester in Cambodia with over 10,500 wells tested. In addition to vital work with arsenic testing, the RDIC labs also conduct various microbiological tests and are expanding its work to include testing for viruses.
Education Projects
RDIC has developed interactive curriculum that uses live presentations in the classroom to teach various health related lessons. Highly effective puppet shows, visual demonstrations, and hands on activities are used in each program. RDI staff members use home visitations to teach rural villagers basic health.
Audio/Video Production
RDIC also operates a studio that integrates Cambodians love for karaoke and entertainment with education. Some projects include socially uplifting original karaoke songs, public service announcements, radio shows, children's educational television, movie dubbing, song composition and story reproduction and translation. A small staff on a limited budget is making strides with culturally appropriate entertainment and education that stems from the unique vision of RDIC.
2007 EWB Challenge
Background
The 2007 EWB Challenge focuses on the sustainable development of the Uluru Children's Home, located in Alampara in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The following information will assist the design teams to conceptualise the issues involved.
2007 EWB Challenge Design BriefThe East West Overseas Aid Foundation
The East West Overseas Aid Foundation (TEWOAF) is an Australian volunteer driven organisation, founded by Dr Natteri Chandran in 1992. TEWOAF aims to assist in easing the suffering of the poor and disadvantaged overseas through a range of initiatives in health care, child welfare and education. Its mission is to:
- Raise money to fund initiatives in these areas
- Empower disadvantaged communities in developing countries
- Embark on field work within chosen communities
- Promote knowledge about the needs of developing countries
- Encourage the sharing of resources, skills and expertise from around the world to enable it to assist those in need
- Collaborate with other indigenous organizations working to aid the underprivileged overseas
Since its establishment, TEWOAF has undertaken two major projects - the creation of the Uluru Health Care Centre and the Uluru Children's Home, both located in Alampara near Kadapakkam, a small fishing village in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. TEWOAF has also established community development programs concentrating on health, the environment and education in the region.
Uluru Children's Home
In India, there are a great number of abandoned and orphaned children. There is also an increasing problem of female infanticide with the birth rate for female children dropping at an alarming rate in some regions. In 2001, TEWOAF began the construction of Uluru Children's Home (UCH) with the aim of providing shelter to orphaned, abandoned and destitute female children.
Uluru Children's Home is located in Alampara in a remote area of Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu. The 3-acre grounds are surrounded by the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal and were once accessible only by boat before the establishment of a private road.
The first phase of construction work at Uluru Children's Home was completed in January 2002. The Home was initially purpose-build to house approximately 25 infants and children, as well as live-in staff. Children living at the home are typically aged from two to twelve years old. They are given food, clothing and shelter in a safe, caring environment. They also have access to health care and education, which are crucial in giving the children life prospects they would otherwise be denied. Uluru Children's Home provides more than just a permanent home. It gives the children a new direction for the rest of their lives.
In 2006 , the decision was made to admit male children as well as female due to the increased demand to accommodate children displaced by the December 2004 Tsunami. There are a number of staff employed to attend to the needs of the children. Most of the staff come from the local village.
Uluru Children's Home Computer Education Centre
In 2005, TEWOAF commenced work in partnership with EWB to build and resource the Computer Educational Centre at Uluru Children's Home. The Computer Centre will vastly improve the children's educational and employment opportunities and it provides the local community with access to vital medical, educational and employment information online.
The project is supported by The Victorian League for Commonwealth Friendship, South Australia. It is currently in its second phase, which will run to the end of January 2007. An EWB volunteer (electronics engineering graduate) is currently helping expand the current 6 node pilot network to a multi-function centre supporting 35 computers. They will be installed in 3 groups and connected to a standard Ethernet network. A single server will allow the computers to access the internet.
Children at UCH receive computer lessons several times a week, while children from surrounding areas also receive weekly tuition. The Centre has been a great success, with lessons for the wider community attracting large crowds at weekends.
Sustainable Development at Uluru Children's Home
In 2007 - 2008, the number of infants and children requiring care at Uluru Children's Home will rise to 80. There is a corresponding requirement to house more support staff on-site and to provide accommodation for visiting guests. In addition, there is a desire to expand the home's educational facilities, in order to provide services that reach out into the wider community.
The new facility requirements are as follows:
- Additional accommodation for children and support staff
- Accommodation for visiting volunteers and guests
- Playground and multi-purpose field - for athletics, cricket, hockey and soccer etc.
- Computer room and associated facilities
- Theatre/ hall - for gatherings, talks and performances Library - for books, audiovisual and electronic material and internet facilities
- Art school studio and gallery - for the display of local paintings, drawings and sculptures
- Administration offices