MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

TERRERITOS WATER PROJECT

Village of Terreritos, Municipality of Nueva Frontera, Department of Santa Barbara, Honduras

Fundacion Cosecha Sostenible Honduras, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Engineers Without Borders USA, Longmont, CO, USA
Student Chapter, Engineers Without Borders, School of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

April 5, 2006

The village of Terreritos located in the municipality of Nueva Frontera, Department of Santa
Barbara, Honduras approached Fundacion Cosecha Sostenible Honduras (FUCOHSO) for
assistance to build a potable water supply. Terreritos had located and purchased a spring source
and had contracted the national water authority, SANAA to survey a water line for a gravity fed
water system to supply the village.

The student chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA (PennEWB) at the University of
Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) approached FUCOSHO in
search of a project, and the Terreritos project was suggested as a project with great need and
strong community support. FUCOHSO and PennEWB, with approval from SEAS, applied to
EWB-USA for project approval. Following approval, members of PennEWB made a site
assessment trip to the village of Terreritos and the site of the proposed water project. The
assessment trip provided the opportunity for the representatives of Terreritos, FUCOHSO and
PennEWB to discuss the roles, contributions, and participation necessary from each party to
complete the potable water system.

Project Contributions

Terreritos

The village of Terreritos is represented by the “Patronato” which is the community organization
designated to initiate and manage development or infrastructure projects. The elected president
of the Patronato is [name removed] and has represented the community in discussions
concerning the water project.

Work Completed and Project Contributions to Date:

Identified and purchased land around a spring source for L.7500 ($397US).
Arranged survey by SANAA with the support of the Regional Patronato and L.5000
($265US) and provided lodging and food for the engineers for L.2000 ($106).
Provided food for site assessment team – 4 days

Future Participation:
All unskilled labor required for the project including excavation and laying
approximately 5 kilometers (km) of pipe.

Page 1 of 4
 Local materials including stone, aggregate, sand and lumber for formwork. (Estimated
value L.6000 or $318)
Food for the project volunteers from PennEWB, estimated at 5 days for 17 people.
(Note: The remainder of the food will be covered by PennEWB at L.150
(US$8)/person/day).
Seek assistance from mayor of Nueva Frontera for a portion of the materials cost (it was
discussed that 15% or about $1500 might be appropriate.)
Organize a water committee for future operation and maintenance of the system. A
regular contribution (i.e. a quarterly fee) from each family benefiting from system should
be required to assure continuing funds for operation.

FUCOHSO

Work Completed and Project Contributions to Date:

Application to and coordination with EWB-USA.
Provided support and logistics for PennEWB site assessment team.

Future Participation:
Provide communications and logistics for the smooth implementation of the project,
communicating regularly with Terrreritos and PennEWB.
Hire a mason/plumber who is experienced in gravity water systems and can interpret
engineering plans for the layout of piping and water system facilities. (estimated cost
L.5000 or $265) FUCOHSO will only be responsible for the masonry portions of the
project such as the spring catchment and distribution tank. PennEWB will cover
specialized work required for the piping from the springs to the main road.
Will provide 10 percent of the cost of materials not available locally up to US$900.
Will provide transport of the PennEWB volunteers at the project site and Terreritos.
Penn-EWB will cover cost of transport from airport and to other locations.
Will provide housing for the PennEWB volunteers at the FUCOHSO Training Center
facilities located near Terreritos (approximately 1km by road).. Housing will consist of
bunk beds and bedding in secure building with separate pour flush toilet facilities. Note:
Penn-EWB will cover L.57 or $3/person./night for those staying at the center. There will
be no fee if arrangements are made for some students to stay in homes.
Will cover all costs and labor of providing water service to the training center, within the
vicinity of the center.
Will provide follow up to the project construction phase as well as operation and
maintenance by the community of Terreritos.

EWB-USA

Work Completed and Project Contributions to Date:

Project initiation guidance and review

Future Participation:
Continued guidance and review of the project design.

Page 2 of 4
PennEWB

Work Completed and Project Contributions to Date:

Organization and project documentation for EWB-USA and all related documentation for
the University of Pennsylvania.
Travel to Honduras and site assessment for water project.
Evaluation of design and initial fund raising.

Future Participation:
Review the SANAA survey and prepare a design for sealed spring box(es), gravity
pipeline, distribution tank and water services. The designs for the water pipe will be
provided ahead of time so that the pipe laying work can be initiated.
Conduct fund raising activities to raise the funds necessary for the materials not available
locally such as piping, cement and reinforcement steel. (Note: The goal is $9000US and
some funds will be advanced once this MOU has been approved by all parties named, to
assist with the pipe-work. PennEWB makes no guarantee that all of the funds will be
raised, but notice will be given of progress in this regard.)
Travel to Honduras with a team of approximately 17 volunteers in the month of May
2006 to help with construction of the spring box, piping and distribution tank. Project
work that cannot be completed during the visit will be negotiated for future completion
by FUCOHSO and the Terreritos community. The visiting team will be interested in
sharing and learning about village life and will be attentive to other community needs to
establish a framework for future collaboration.
Other items of consideration for the PennEWB visit:
o Penn-EWB will cover transport and travel cost to Terreritos and other locations to
be visited outside the water project.
o For security and in case of emergency, PennEWB requests the presence of a
vehicle when the team is in Terrerritos.
o PennEWB will cover food costs for half of their time in Terreritos at a rate of
L.150/per./day ($8/per./day).
o In addition, PennEWB will cover the cost for lodging at the training center,
CEASDI, at the rate of L.57 or $3/person./night.

In the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration, we agree to work in harmony within
the terms of this Memorandum of Understanding and to achieve the stated goals of this project.

____________________________________ ____________________________________
President Director
Patronato, Village of Terreritos FUCOHSO

____________________________________ ____________________________________
President PennEWB Faculty Advisor
Student Chapter, PennEWB University of Pennsylvania

Page 3 of 4
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Project Mentor Director of Academic Affairs
PennEWB, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania

PennEWB PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS:

Students serving on the Field Team: [name removed] (Student Team Leader)
[name removed] (Student Team Leader)

PennEWB Project Mentor and Faculty Leader: [name removed]

PennEWB Faculty Advisor: [name removed]
SEAS Program Coordinator for International
and Service Initiatives: [name removed]
SEAS Director of Academic Affairs
(Co-Advisor, PennEWB): [name removed]

Page 4 of 4