On 30th August I start work with Mass Design Group in Kigali, Rwanda as an Engineers Without Borders placement volunteer.

MASS Design Group have designed and built several projects of varying scales in Rwanda. I will be volunteering as a structural engineer in their team, particularly focusing on ensuring the safety of buildings in a seismic event. There's an engineering skills shortage in Africa, so I will be using the technical experience I have gained in the UK to adapt local construction methods to international standards, and also to support the development of two Rwandese graduates.

Engineers Without Borders UK brings people, ideas and engineering together to deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Their vision is a world where everyone has access to the engineering they need for a life free from poverty. The EWB Placements Program aims to strengthen the environmental, social and economic resilience of communities through collaboration with UK engineers.

For more info: http://www.ewb-uk.org/

MASS Design Group is a nonprofit design firm based in Boston, MA and Kigali, Rwanda. MASS’s work seeks to leverage design to improve lives through a variety of mediums, from architecture and construction to policy and research. Across every project, MASS strives to employ local labour and materials, work with local experts in material innovation and development, and ensure every space they create is beautiful, uniquely catered to specific needs, and transfers dignity to communities. MASS works across Africa in Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and also in Haiti.

For more info and snazzy videos: http://www.massdesigngroup.org/

My Fundraising: As a commitment to the placement, each Engineers without Borders Placement Volunteer is required to fundraise a certain amount before leaving the UK, and my target is £2000. This money will help EWB continue to sustain the incredible work they do - in particular, supporting the work of MASS Design Group.

I will be doing various things to raise money over the next few months starting with a dreadful HALF MARATHON on Sunday 12th June which I can assure you I have not started training for and will not enjoy!

Additionally to make it easier for you to part with your hard earned pennies, I have devised the following incentives:

£5 and above: A LINK TO MY BLOG

£25 and above: A link to my blog AND A POSTCARD FROM RWANDA

£50 and above: A link to my blog, a postcard AND A (small!) CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM RWANDA

£100 and above: A link to my blog, a postcard, a (small!) Christmas present AND A RWANDAN ITEM OF CLOTHING

To anyone hoping to visit me while I'm there, please note your visitors fees will be a minimum £20 donation!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.