Rising To The Challege: Water Missions International's 2013 Summer Interns
August 23, 2013
Our summer interns Ben Caldwell, Meagan Silas, Elizabeth Legendre, and Madison Ham
Changing The World One Water Test At A Time
“I first learned about WMI while I was searching for a summer internship as an engineering intern where I could serve people through water purification and sanitation projects. As an Environmental Engineering student, I was excited about working with an engineering ministry that is serving people all over the world. Throughout the summer, I have been working on research and development of WMI’s treatment system. I have studied how the treatment system reacts to water pressure, how the filters operate with different amounts of suspended material in the source water that we are filtering, and many other exciting parts of the water treatment process.
Meagan worked on testing various components of our water treatment system.
"I have really enjoyed being an intern at WMI this summer and serving alongside the staff here because the work that is being done at WMI is so important. I’ve been in developing countries and seen people who are sick because of contaminated water. The global water crisis affects so many people around the world every day, but the good news is that something can be done to bring safe water to people who desperately need it. I know that God calls His people to serve and help others, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with a group of people who are answering the call to help those who are in need. It has been so encouraging to be here at WMI this summer working with the staff and getting to know the awesome volunteers who have such a drive to make a difference, and to hear stories of God working through different projects in other countries.” ~Megan Silas
Paving The Way For E&D
“In the spring of 2012, a Water Missions International employee gave a presentation about Water Missions to my church in Clemson. Over the next several months, we developed a friendship based on wonderfully random encounters. As I heard more about Water Missions from him, I became interested in joining engineering work with a desire to help others. I asked him if there were any opportunities where I could come down and see what exactly Water Missions is all about. After a conversation with founder George Greene III, we decided that I would come down for the summer and work as an intern on some research projects that he was interested in.
"I worked this summer in the Engineering and Development area (E&D). The E&D area did not actually exist when I first arrived, so my first task was to design and build one. This involved cleaning out and organizing the floor space set aside for E&D, running water from the main header, creating a wet testing area, and setting up workbenches. Once set up, I worked on a variety of experiments, but my main task was to test the feasibility of adding liquid chlorine to water via a Venturi injector. The idea was that this could be useful at providing a consistent level of chlorine to decontaminate water in solar-powered Living Water™ Treatment Systems. The chlorine solution could be generated from saltwater and a car-battery, making it readily available and possibly another economic component of WMI’s community development program.
Ben set up an E&D area where experiments and testing could be carried out.
"Helping and loving those in need is important because it is something that we are called to do as Christ followers. The water crisis in particular is important because safe water is one of the most basic needs for sustaining healthy human life, and yet there is a glaring lack of access to it all across the world. What’s more, providing water to communities worldwide is a great mission tool to open up dialogues about Christ, who washes away our sins and gives us founts of Living Water. The cleansing, healing, and life-giving qualities of water are beautiful symbols for what Christ has done for us, and by sharing water with communities, we can share knowledge of the love that Christ has for us as well.
"The best part of spending the summer with Water Missions was the community of people: the staff, the volunteers, the other interns. They have all been wonderful to get to know and work with day in and day out. I learned things from wise people, some about engineering, but most about life. I heard great stories and laughed a lot. We shared meals, victories, prayers, and life. The fellowship of a community of believers working together in faith for the glory of the Kingdom was a beautiful thing to be part of.” ~Ben Caldwell
Developing Connections For The Future
Elizabeth helped out on several projects for the Development team, including extensive research for future Walks For Water.
“I became involved with Water Missions through my cousin Ashleigh, who works as an accountant for WMI. I had been looking for an internship with a Christian nonprofit for about a year, and nothing had worked out. The two of us started talking about it at a family get together. One thing led to another, and she connected me with Mike who orchestrated the Development internship.
“I did a lot of different things this summer, but my primary project was to do research for different members of the development team. I researched potential funding sources and did groundwork research for the expansions of two programs, Operation Round-up and Walk in a Bucket.
“It was exciting to work for a Christian organization that meets physical needs while sharing the Gospel. I feel that it is important to help others because it was an essential part of Jesus's ministry. If it was important to Him, it should be important to me, too!
“This summer was filled with many great experiences, but my favorite part was interacting with all of the volunteers. I enjoyed talking to them, learning about them, and being encouraged by them! I also appreciated all of the different members of the development team who took time to explain or invite me to watch the many different processes involved in nonprofit work.” ~Elizabeth Legendre
Extreme Home Makeover: Production Edition
Madison helped redesign our production area to make it easier to produce water solutions.
Our fourth intern, Madison Ham, was actually the first to arrive this summer. After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University, Madison came to spend the summer working in our production area. She undertook two primary responsibilities during her time with Water Missions International. First Madison assisted in redesigning our production area using a 5S model and revamped all our statements of work to accommodate those changes. She also conducted an analysis of our inventory management and controls to determine lead times, buffer stock, and developing an ordering system that would accommodate both normal production and disaster response.
In the few months she spent with us, Madison had a tremendous impact on our production facilities. She simplified many of our production practices, and she kept the boys running the shop on their toes. Just as Madison was the first intern to arrive, she was also the first to depart. We were grateful for Madison’s time through July with us, and wish her well as she prepares to be married this weekend.
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