Ethiopian Library Project UCLA

Help us in our efforts to bring the school children of Sm’echa-Zala, Ethiopia a library!

Who We Are!


Engineers Without Borders at UCLA is a dedicated group of undergraduate and graduate engineering and non-engineering students! Our vision is to help underdeveloped communities by creating sustainable solutions and conscientious leaders by building community partnerships and fostering global involvement.  We have three ongoing projects, including our Ethiopia Library Project.

Meet the Ethiopia Library Project Team!

Since the inception of our EWB at UCLA Ethiopia Library Project in Fall 2015, our Ethiopia team has been working to design and build a library in the northern Ethiopian village of Sm’echa Zala, located in the Tigray Region. The local elementary school, Golagul School, does not have chairs, desks, books, nor a space for the students to study. Furthermore, in their agricultural community, children tend to miss class to support their family by working in the field. While there has been a push for education in recent years in Ethiopia, community leaders believe the quality of education can be improved. The community has reached out for help in achieving this.



Goal: Build a Multipurpose Library and Study Space

By building a library near the school and furnishing it, we hope to provide not only a space for students to learn, but a place for all community members to enjoy and further their knowledge. We hope this library will help all students find a safe place by giving them a place dedicated to them. This library will be dedicated to allowing free expression through student collaboration and reading. We are partnered with the Relief Society of Tigray as well as our Advising Professor Dr. Mekonnen Gebremichael, who is from Ethiopia, and who has worked in the community for many years.


How Your Donation Will Make This Project A Reality

The Ethiopia Library Project is currently in its assessment stage. In order for us to engineer a meaningful design of the Sm’echa Zala Library, we must first meet our community and strengthen the bond between EWB at UCLA and community members, which is key for collaboration in the next couple years as we make designs decisions. We will also need to begin geo-testing of the proposed library location, map the community using computer software, locate construction supply vendors in the surrounding community, and give Sm'echa Zala the chance to get to know our team and vice versa. Now is a perfect opportunity to travel as the community is currently in the process of building new school bathrooms for the girl students. We can observe the construction process, note common materials used, talk to the construction team, make local aesthetic considerations, and document many other important aspects we will can incorporate into the design of the Sm'echa-Zala Library. This will all be accomplished on an trip this summer, but first we must get to Ethiopia!  Your donation will help five of our members travel to Ethiopia. They will bring back this data to the entire Ethiopia team at UCLA and together we will be able to design and then implement the library.

Without this crucial first step, the project cannot be accomplished.  Engineers Without Borders at UCLA strives to create the most environmental friendly, sustainable project that will last generations in our community. This is only possible with trips which allow us to collect absolutely vital data about the land and community.  Part of what is fundraised will also go towards equipment, soil testing tools, and flying book donations over to the school in Ethiopia. Anything donated above our goal will of course fund the building of the library once the design is finalized. Please help us say hello to our community in person!

How You Can Help

Every donation helps, all support is greatly appreciated!

Please check out our website for more information on our project and all of EWB at UCLA's work!

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Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our project! 

      
“A book is a gift you can open again and again."  
- Garrison Keillor