This evening we welcome three representatives from UMEarth. They were directed our way by Jorrel Camuyong. Karisma is a RYLA alumni and a 5th Year Biosystems Engineering Student, Izzy Marquez, 5th Year Biosystems Engineering Student and Chamber Lam, 3rd Year Biosystems Engineering Student.
Who is UMEarth?
UMEarth equips students with the skills and initiatives needed to promote sustainability both on campus and globally. They provide hands-on experience through projects and collaborations to help students make a real-world impact. Through their partnership with Global Brigades (www.globalbrigades.org), they aim to extend their sustainability efforts to under-resourced communities worldwide. They explained their reasons for volunteering in Honduras and the support they provided
LACK OF STORAGE
Rural communities lack proper infrastructure for storing water. Even if water is potable, it is often stored in buckets/barrels and not properly treated or protected.
DISTANCE
Families (primarily women & children) must walk at least 1.5 hours to the water source nearest to their home for drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene and household chores.
- Their work is focused in Rural Honduras
- 9.904 million people
- 10.10% of the rural population lacks access to basic or safely managed drinking water sources
- 19.90% of the rural population lacks access to basic or safely managed sanitation facilities
- 28% of the rural population live below national poverty line
- Home of rich Honduran culture and history including Caribbean Sea coastlines, ancient Mayan ceremonial sites, and beautiful reefs.
This past year’s visit to Montana Verde, Honduras, assisted by providing a Hydraulic Ram Pump to provide water to an area that would save local residents from carrying water up a hill.
The second project discussed was El Bailadero, Honduras. Here 2 teams Surveyed the area by going door-to-door to learn about water needs. The second team GPS mapped the area for water sources in the community.
By using their engineering experience and teamwork with the support of the Global Engineering Brigade, they are making a difference in these communities.
In 2025, these students hope to return with additional members of the University of Manitoba.
The planned projects are:-
RUN OF THE RIVER IMPULSE PUMP
Main components:
- Water wheel: Uses blades to convert water momentum into angular impulse to drive the system.
- Cam/connection rod: Transfers rotational momentum from the water wheel to two impulse pumps using a Whitworth quick return mechanism.
- Impulse pump: Operates via a plunging motion to generate upward water flow, using a ball foot valve for efficient water trapping and release.
- Two pumps operate in opposite phases to balance weight and double water output.
- Renewable energy solution: Helps provide consistent water access using the natural flow of rivers.
HYDROKINETIC RIVER PUMP
Main components:
- Hydrokinetic turbine: A 55-gallon drum will serve as the turbine to harness river flow energy.
- Piping system: Mounted on the drum, the piping will channel water from the stream to the hydraulic ram system.
- The drum will rotate based on stream flow, converting water energy into mechanical motion to drive water through the piping.
- Integration with the hydraulic ram system ensures efficient water delivery to the target location.
- Sustainable solution: Utilises river flow to generate consistent power, reducing the need for external energy sources.
In order to make the trip despite their own fundraising, UMEarth requires sponsorship as they have a shortfall of just over $15,000. They explained UM Earth would greatly appreciate the financial support of members of the public and companies in Winnipeg to help the group provide water systems in Honduras. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Karisma Vyas: vyask@myumanitoba.ca
We greatly appreciate the time taken by Karisma, Izzy and Chamber taking valuable time to explain their efforts to improve the lives of others who are less fortunate. We wish them well and hope they can return after their 2025 projects to update us all.