Ansley’s Experience in Kenya through Engineers Without Borders

Through Virginia Tech’s Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter, Ansley Bearden  traveled to Kenya to help bring clean water to the Masara Steel Community. This was an experience that she describes as life-changing both personally and professionally. During her time abroad, Ansley worked alongside her team to support the installation of a water well designed to increase community access to clean water. What began as a service project quickly became something much deeper.

“During my time in Kenya, I, alongside the VT EWB Chapter, had the opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the Masara Steel community by providing a water well to increase clean water access. Although our goal in travelling to Kenya was to create long lasting positive change for the community, I also felt the impacts of the positive change within myself, and that would have never been possible without the support of the GEER Scholarship.”

Beyond the technical work, Ansley was profoundly impacted by the people she met. The community welcomed the team with music, dancing, shared meals, and unwavering gratitude.

“Experiencing a new culture and community in Kenya shifted my perspective on daily gratitude… Seeing the hope, kindness, and gratitude from the Masara Steel Community was a refreshing and stark contrast to the hustle and bustle lifestyle prominent throughout the US. I was reminded that sometimes it is important to slow down, be present, and give thanks to the life I live."

For Ansley, the experience reinforced the power of engineering as a tool for global connection and meaningful impact. With support from the GEER Scholarship, she was able not only to contribute to sustainable infrastructure abroad, but also to return home with a renewed perspective on gratitude, service, and global citizenship. Click here to learn more about Engineers Without Borders (EWB).