Malawi Road Drainage Project

EWB-NOVA is currently working on an international project in Kaseye, Malawi with the goal of designing and constructing a new roadside drainage system to reduce runoff to a local community.

Project meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Please contact the chapter if you would like to get involved with this project.

EWB-NOVA Malawi Assessment Trip Summary

From April 11 to April 25, 2025, EWB-NOVA conducted a successful assessment trip to Kaseye, a remote village in northern Malawi, Southeast Africa. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to improve critical roadway access to essential services including a hospital, school, and church. Currently, the village’s earthen roads become impassable for several months each year during the rainy season—posing serious, sometimes life-threatening challenges for residents who rely on the Kaseye Mission

Our Team

The EWB-NOVA travel team included four dedicated engineers:

Dan Johnson, PE – Bowman Consulting
Niqui Lacquement, EIT – IMEG
Sali Kedir – John Moriarty & Associates of VA, LLC
Bryan Layman, PE – ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

The journey itself was no small feat—requiring two full days of air travel and four days of overland travel across rugged terrain to get to and from Kaseye.

What We Accomplished

During our week in Kaseye, the team:

Engaged with the local community to understand transportation challenges
Met with government officials to discuss jurisdictional requirements
Consulted with local contractors to learn about regional construction practices and materials
Collected field survey data along approximately four miles of roadway
Developed preliminary strategies for drainage and road improvements

What’s Next

With the assessment phase complete, we are now entering the evaluation, design, and implementation stages. Upcoming efforts include:

Reducing field surveying data
Analyzing field and hydrologic data
Designing drainage and roadway improvements
Developing phased construction plans based on cost and feasibility
Fundraising and mobilizing resources for implementation over the next several dry seasons

How You Can Help

We need your support to bring this project to life. If you have skills in engineering, social media, or fundraising—and a passion for making a difference—please consider joining the EWB-NOVA Chapter. We also welcome financial contributions from individuals, companies, and organizations.

Together, we can help the Kaseye community gain safe, year-round access to vital services.