Technik ohne Grenzen e.V. (Technology without Borders, Germany) has one goal: improving living conditions in developing countries. This goal is pursued principally through the following three areas of activity:

• Coordinating on-site, tailored cooperative development work that makes the most effective use of the available resources.
• Delivering education and training that empower local people effect change themselves.
• Stimulating sustainable development, for example through microbusiness initiatives.

Through these activities, we aim to put our technical expertise to meaningful use in the service of others. This is the guiding principle behind the foundation of our organization, our motto being “as sophisticated as necessary, as simple as possible”. In the organization’s name, the term “technology” represents an invitation for all technical enthusiasts, as well as tradespeople, technicians, artisans and engineers, to participate in our work. Our organization also places great importance on offering students the opportunity to make a difference through the application of technical and engineering skills to a variety of challenges in different locations and cultures. If these ideas inspire you, we would love to have you work with us!

Technology without borders RG Ndejje started in 2019 by German students i.e. Olivia Sigmund, Julia Guntherodt, who had come to the university under a student exchange program.

Some students welcomed it warmly as it was an opportunity for them to apply some of their theoretical knowledge practically through various projects. TwB RG Ndejje started with Biosand filter and waste management projects.

1. Biosand Filter

This project was researched and implemented by Mr. Peter Kakobya and Francis. It’s major aim was to purify water thus making it safe for drinking by means of slow sand filtration with a bio-layer to remove the bacteria from the water. The water research center at the University was impressed by the project hence partly funding it.

In corporation with connect Africa, 3 bio sand filters were made and installed at two primary schools in the Ndejje community and the third was installed at the University kitchen.

A follow up and evaluation was been made and it was noticed that this has reduced on the expenses of buying fuel to boil safe drinking water since this bio sand filter requires no fuel.

Biosand filter illustration

2. Waste Management

Waste management was also one of the projects that this organization kicked off with and TwB members installed rubbish bins in halls of residence after finding out that there was a lot of rubbish around these halls. The major idea was to bring the bins nearer to students since most were complaining that the reason as to why they were littering trash anywhere they found was that the disposal places were too far.

On firm Grounds , TwB RG Ndejje can say that this led to general hall cleanliness thus a better living of the student community.

The number of our members drastically increased to more than 50 with most of them being active. With this increasing number of members, there has been an increase of project ideas and some of the projects being worked upon currently include:

a) Plastic recycling into paver blocks. This is basically meant for environmental conservation through plastic recycling.

Plastic bottles and ployethene (kaveera) are burnt in a saucepan to form a molten liquid that is mixed with sand. The mixture is then poured into a mould and stamped using a rammer to form a hard waterproof paver.

One may ask why plastic is used but the only reason is that plastic acts as a substitute of cement. Therefore the molten plastic is used as the binder in this case.

b) Re-modifying the Biosand Filter. Basing on the previous design, it was noted that the biosand filter that was made had a low water output and TwB members in partnership with Connect Africa came up with a modified version of a biosand filter. This version has more output thus serving a wider population in a given area.

c) Grey water recycling. Some members TwB RG Ndejje are currently working with the TwB members in Germany on a Gray water recycling project which is meant to be implemented in Ndejje University. The major aim of this project is to recycle water from the washrooms and kitchen thus reducing on the rate of water scarcity in the area. This will also highly reduce on the costs of water since more than 60% of water is disposed through washrooms and the kitchen of the University.

TwB RG Ndejje successfully hosted members from TwB Ghana in April 2022. Members from the different regional groups managed to interact and shire ideas concerning what they do in their Regional groups. This strengthened the bond and friendship with the members and they hope to continue with the exchange visit so as they will explore more, get stronger connections and widen their knowledge.

TwB RG Ndejje has started a Research Group which will basically focus on making research and finding problems in the society, and above all, feeding information to both students and members of Technology without Borders to come up with solutions to these problems through projects.

Credit goes to the Faculty of engineering, the water research center and Ndejje University through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Frederick Kakembo, Phd for supporting TwB in its daily activities by provision of various needed resources.

Technology without Boarders Regional Group Ndejje meets every Monday at the Water Research Centre.