‘Donors give us the oxygen to breathe:’ How UNL’s Engineers Without Borders Chapter Is Bringing Smiles To Faces Across The Globe

By Noah Johnson

Soren Hieggelke came to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to make a difference.

The university has always held a space in the Portland, Oregon, native’s heart. Hieggelke’s grandfather earned his doctorate in physics at UNL and brought his love for the campus back to the West Coast.

“He always raved about his experience,” Hieggelke said. “I grew up with everyone watching Husker football games.”

When it came time to apply for college, UNL felt like the clear choice. He said the academic resources and opportunities gave him the foundation to succeed. Now a sophomore, Hieggelke is using those tools to make a difference across the globe.

The electrical engineering major is a team lead within UNL’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-NU). The local chapter, which serves as a university chapter within Engineers Without Borders USA, is working to make a worldwide impact through two major projects: the Zambia Bridge Project and the Madagascar Solar Project.

The project is centered around installing solar power systems to provide power for lights at six schools in Kianjavato, Madagascar.

Through the project, systems have been installed in over half of the targeted schools in the area. These systems are used for evening classes for students studying for examinations as well as for adult literacy classes.

According to Hieggelke, teachers in the area have reported a 100% passing rates among students since the introduction of these solar-powered classrooms.

This summer, Hieggelke will make his first trip to Madagascar to see the impact of his work. After nearly nine months on the project as team lead, he’s looking forward to seeing the results in person.

“It can be hard when you’ve been working on this for so long, so actually going over there and seeing the impact in person will be really special for me,” he said.

Hieggelke said he would have never expected to receive the opportunities he has had so far at UNL when he first stepped foot on campus as a freshman. He said it’s representative of just how many opportunities are available for students at UNL.

“Before I applied to college, I never would have thought I would be going on a humanitarian aid trip to Madagascar, let alone leading it,” he said. “I think people don’t realize how many opportunities the clubs and organizations at this university present.”

Additionally, Nebraska EWB-USA students are gaining the Complete Engineer ® skills of teamwork, civil responsibility, self-management & leadership, communication, and professionalism & ethics that are highly sought after by employers.

Donor support plays a critical role in funding both projects underway within EWB-NU. For Hieggelke, support from donors covers everything from solar power components like batteries and panels to translators to help students when they’re on the ground.

That support means everything to Hieggelke, but he knows it is making an even larger impact on a new generation of students across the globe.

“You are helping educate people in a country that doesn’t traditionally have a lot of access to education,” he said. “It’s having a huge impact on this community, and we’re so thankful for that.”