Tulane Engineers Without Borders

Transforming a sanitation problem into sustainable solutions

PROJECT GHANA

Mission: Improve Public Health in Sokode Ando, Ghana by constructing compost toilets that convert waste into fertilizer and boreholes that deliver clean water from aquifers on tap.

Tulane Engineers Without Borders (TEWB) has partnered with local NGO Humanity and Community Development Projects (HCDP) to help transform the public health landscape in Sokode-Ando, Ghana, a rural farming community of about 3,000 people.

By designing and implementing sustainable sanitation solutions, we aim to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, enhance overall community hygiene, and construct critical infrastructure for improved public health.

This project will be developing, testing, and installing purpose-built composting toilets. This innovative and inexpensive solution will be replacing open defecation practices. Thus reducing waterborne diseases, converting waste into a sustainable agricultural resource, and fostering long-term health and environmental benefits at a minimal cost.

News

Tulane engineering students travel to Ghana for sanitation project

“Tulane’s Engineers Without Borders USA Chapter put vital sanitation needs at the forefront in Ghana, bringing composting toilets and clean water to Sokode-Ando.”

Engineers Without Borders club improves sanitation, clean water access in Ghana

“Originally, the club had set out with the intention of building latrines, but after traveling to meet with the community, the issue of access to drinking water emerged as a priority.”

Waterborne diseases are one of the leading causes of illness and death in Ghana. Without infrastructure to properly handle human waste, groundwater can easily become contaminated.

Without infrastructure to provide access to clean water, families rely on groundwater for cooking, cleaning, washing, and drinking…

We’re working to address both of those infrastructure gaps.

Our Chapter aims to return to Sokode Ando in August 2025 to initiate Phase 1 of the compost toilet construction. Our goals for Phase 1 are to construct multi-stall toilets for the three community schools, multiple single-stall toilets for individual homes, and a processing facility.

Tulane Engineers Without Borders (TEWB) will raise $100,000 for our upcoming trip. By reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and promoting better hygiene, we hope the project will have a lasting impact on the community's health and overall quality of life. Project Sokode-Ando is poised to be one of our most impactful initiatives, creating a model for sustainable development that will serve the community for generations.

Our fundraising events will provide the Tulane and New Orleans community an opportunity to give, and our members an opportunity to develop invaluable experience in collaboration, engineering, and generosity.