Engineers in Action is an international nonprofit organization that builds essential infrastructure for underserved communities. Engineers in Action breaks the barriers that perpetuate poverty by ensuring safe access to water, sanitation, healthcare, education, markets, and more – while developing the local capacity to sustain and expand that access for generations to come. They work with underserved communities and global partners to execute sustainable engineering projects that build local capacity and improve access to essential resources.

EIA builds essential infrastructure: supported by local governments, orchestrated by professional staff, amplified by global volunteers, and always rooted in the communities we partner with. This model breaks the barriers that perpetuate poverty by ensuring safe access to water, sanitation, healthcare, education, markets, and more – while developing the local capacity to sustain and expand that access for generations to come.

In these places where these bridges are built, there is a rain season and a dry season. Being born on the wrong side of the river could mean that during the rain season, you cannot access the nearest school, health facility, or market. People risk their lives trying to cross. 

When the bridges are built statistically,

• • 12% increase in children enrolled in school

  • 18% increase in healthcare

  • 75% increase in farm profits

  • 59% increase of women in the labor market

Rutgers is one of many Engineers in Action chapters. This work would not be possible without the dedication of student teams and professional engineers who volunteer their time and expertise. Student led chapters are responsible for fundraising money for materials, designing the bridge, and then travel for two months to physically build the bridge, and lastly document the whole process.

We are a chapter of the bigger organization, Engineers in Action. Our chapter primarily focuses on suspended footbridges connecting communities and giving people access to essential infrastructure.