Erin's World of Opportunity

Friends, family,

This year I am helping Engineers Without Borders build a World of Opportunity for rural Africans.

In communities across Zambia, Malawi, Ghana and Burkina Faso there are millions of hardworking and innovative people seeking the chance to improve their lives. Yet, all too often they are stuck - unable to move forward because they lack the same opportunities that you and I have here in Canada.

I support EWB’s work to foster these opportunities for rural Africans - most specifically, I am motivated by the massive potential for Canadian engineers to contribute practical solutions to extreme poverty. EWB promotes the importance of globally-minded engineers and helps engineering students and professionals create positive change.

All too often, I find engineering students caught up in the never-ending cycle of labs, assignments and exams, spending countless hours working through equations or designing slightly more efficient systems. The education we receive is unique, and I think it can be put to better use; I think engineers can be vital in our mission to end poverty.

EWB is one of the few things that gives engineering real meaning; it is an opportunity to apply what we learn every day to real world problems, and it represents our responsibility to every citizen of this world. This is why I am asking you to support EWB’s work this holiday season. EWB is a powerful vehicle for creating positive change and we are seeking to increase its impact – by doubling its volunteer capacity and flexibility to innovate. I know that we will use your donation effectively, and continue to make great things happen.

This holiday season please donate to my World of Opportunity campaign and support my passion and commitment to EWB. I dream of a future where every girl in Africa has the same opportunity I have today, and I believe we can make this happen.

-Erin Placatka