Sophomore Alex McDonald wasn’t willing to wait two more years until he graduated from college to get out into the world and help people.

McDonald wanted to help now.

When a friend introduced the 20-year-old mechanical engineering major to Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian relief organization, McDonald stumbled upon a similar group, Engineers without Borders.

“I didn’t want to be a doctor but I liked the idea (of Doctors Without Borders),” McDonald said. “Actions speak louder than words. I decided to set out and do something. I wanted to do it right here and now while I’m still studying.” So McDonald founded the WSU chapter of Engineers Without Borders in September 2004 and is now president.

The WSU student chapter has about 20 students volunteering on several service projects including designing and overseeing the construction of an 80-foot-deep solar-powered well system that will be completed in March for Campbell Farm, a mission station on the Yakama Indian Reservation.

“We depend a lot on volunteer efforts,” said David Hacker, director of Campbell Farm. “A part of our mission is to work with young people as they develop their skills for things. It’s good to have Engineers without Borders be part of our project.” EWB also will sponsor a benefit concert with the ASWSU's Student Entertainment Board during Tsunami Relief Week from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

The chapter receives project funding through donations, grants and sponsorships. McDonald said he expects EWB will take part in one local and one international project per year.

Junior Alireza Mansoori said being in the group sets him up for the real world.

“It’s a great thing for an engineer to have experience,” said Mansoori, an electrical engineering major. “You aren’t going to know everything by just reading. With this, you are actually doing something. It’s more of hands-on training.” Future projects include going to Sri Lanka to rebuild a school that was destroyed during 2004’s tsunami disaster in Asia and going to Cachira, Colombia to set up a water purification system and providing a school bus run on bio-fuel for the area.

“Communities contact us and tell us what they need,” McDonald said. “We don’t tell them what they need. We want to help people, pure and simple. We believe people deserve certain things to maintain their quality of life.” Since members also are students, McDonald said members are able to give their time by dividing the project into tiny parts. Also, professors and graduate students advise the members in designing the projects.

“Most of the work is done in our own downtime,” McDonald said. “Everyone does their bit but in small parts. Even head decisions are split into two. We are the summation of our parts.” And although EWB is primarily made up of engineers, McDonald said the group is open to everyone.

“There is so much that goes on in the club that we need help on,” McDonald said. “We encourage other majors to help with the other aspects of the club such as finance or public relations.” The national organization of EWB was founded in 2000 with the mission to supply disadvantaged communities around the world with tools, such as water sanitation, energy and shelter systems.

Other colleges in Washington, including Seattle and Gonzaga universities have their own EWB chapters and McDonald said the groups may collaborate on future projects.

To donate or for more information about the club, visit www.wsu.edu/~ewb.