NTM’s Bethany Shumaker, EIT, CSI recently traveled to Ethiopia as part of an Engineering Ministries International (EMI) design team. EMI is a nonprofit Christian development organization made up of volunteer architects, engineers, and surveyors who donate their skills to help children and families around the world realize their visions through the design and construction of facilities. Bethany worked on the Soddo Christian Hospital, whose goal is to provide high-quality care to the Wolaitta Region, one of the most populated and impoverished parts of Ethiopia. Soddo Christian Hospital currently has 130 beds, but has a vision to expand to 200-250 beds over the next 10 years. Since opening in 2005, over 100,000 patients have been treated and 3,000 babies have been delivered at the hospital.
While in Ethiopia, Bethany and the EMI team assessed the existing building’s physical condition and site plan for Soddo Christian Hospital, determined local construction materials and methods, and provided recommendations for future expansion. Bethany collected local testimony regarding areas of ponding, documented existing drainage system capacity and management practices utilized on- and off-site, and assisted the design team in assessing water/wastewater facilities throughout the campus.
We are very proud of Bethany’s decision to support this organization. To learn more about EMI or for information on how you can help, please visit www.emiusa.org. Information about the Soddo Christian Hospital can be found at www.soddo.org.