2016 EWB-UK placements

Caminos de Agua is delighted to have two three-month placements through the Engineers without Borders-UK Placement Program in 2016.  This is just one way we are collaborating with Engineers in the United Kingdom. 

Billy Thurston and Sarah Mitchell were selected after a competitive application process.  They are tasked with the extensive testing and evaluation of bone biochar as a fluoride reduction agent, evaluation of different biochar kilns and adaptations and working to create a working model that is scaleable for home-use. Billy joins us in July and Sarah will follow in October.

Billy Thurston is a civil engineer with a passion for international development, and with particular interests in water supply and sanitation, energy and sustainability. Since travelling solo around the world before university, Billy has been keen to always see new places and meet new people. He studied engineering at the University of Bristol with the aim of one day using his skills to help alleviate poverty in the wider world. 

A year spent studying abroad in Spain helped him develop his Spanish language skills, and his interest in Latin America was further developed during a placement with a wind energy NGO, WindAid, in Peru in 2014. Billy now works for Mott MacDonald, a global engineering consultancy, on the Dams and Hydropower team. He is very excited to be involved with Caminos de Agua on a project that combines his skills and interests in international development, water engineering, and Latin America.

Sarah Mitchell hasa masters degree in Civil Engineering and has been working in the water sector for three years. She writes, ¨I am tremendously excited to be coming to San Miguel de Allende to work with Caminos de Agua and the local communities. By working together, learning and sharing knowledge, I hope to achieve significant progress in providing a sustainable, low-cost, and improved access to safe drinking water.¨