Engineers Without Borders reminisced about their January visit to Ghana at their first business meeting of 2023. EWB is currently building a middle school in the disadvantaged town of Adumasa.

The meeting took place on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. in Sesquicentennial Hall and was led by club president Noah Miller. Policies of the club and upcoming events were discussed before a presentation on the Ghana visit was given by members who traveled there over winter break.

Members described the situation they found in Adumasa, explaining that the town had an elementary and high school but no middle school. Many local children would enter the workforce after elementary school and cease their education because, by the time they hit high school age, they have fallen behind in their studies.

“As Americans, we take a lot of stuff for granted,” one EWB member said. The town of Adumasa has 5,000 people, but only two restrooms both of which charge a fee.

When not working at the school, EWB members played with the local children. They gifted soccer balls and candy to the kids, who showered the members with nonstop thanks.

School tuition in Adumasa costs $60 per year, which is expensive for many local parents. EWB members left all the paper currency they could with Sister Veronica, a nun and kind teacher. This money would cover tuition for nine kids who otherwise would not be able to afford school.

Before leaving, members visited Cape Coast Castle, a site of the African slave trade. They were reminded that evil could be overcome and life improved in Ghana.

In addition, EWB is applying for a grant of $40,000 to aid future construction and travel expenses. They are also hosting an annual Color Blast 5K on Saturday, April 29 at Memorial Park to raise funds