By definition, engineers solve human problems.

Currently, our world has a number of important problems:

• 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water
• 2.4 billion people are without adequate sanitation
• 2.6 billion people have no electricity

HELP addresses the development needs of the third world with solutions that fully sustainable using local materials with a low environmental.

• Current levels of carbon dioxide are higher than they have been in 450,000 years
• The average global sea level has risen by 4 to 8 inches over the past century
• The average global extinction rate in the past century was estimated to be a thousand times higher than it was in the preceding 65 million years

All projects have a tangible goal and yield physical results that can be measured.

Sustainability is a major focus of HELP and comes into play in many stages of our projects. When designing project solutions we take advantage of appropriate technologies and use local materials that are environmentally friendly. All solutions are created to have minimal maintenance and running costs. A community member is always trained to diagnose potential problems and instructed how to deal with them. In addition, HELP collaborates with local universities to educate local young people how to use the technology. HELP has a designated Sustainability Director, who, in addition to checking up on all past projects at least once a term to make sure our solution is still working as intended.

Political and social factors are always considered in every situation: If our ultimate goal is to improve the lives of others then we must ensure that we are giving them what they want. To do this a community committee is established before our arrival.

HELP worldwide was founded by students at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College in response to a growing need for more service learning engineering opportunities. Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering Leadership Projects are a win–win situation for Dartmouth students as well as the people they help. Students get hands on work experience, are able to travel and obtain a valuable cultural immersion experience, and also have the opportunity to help people in need.

Please send us an e-mail by clicking on the link below to subscribe to the Monthly HELP Updates:

contact us

Send suggestions to web-master.