Tribewanted: Vorovoro

In less than a week we will be arriving on Vorovoro to build a solar-powered refrigeration system. The idea is not new, but this will be the first time the design will be used in a tropical climate. We can’t help but think that using the sun’s heat in this way is both beautiful and ironic. The beauty lies in its environmentally friendly design, harnessing the sustainable energy source of the sun’s rays. The seeming irony lies in the use of solar heat to freeze water.

Team Fusion are the four winning members of the Students in Free Enterprise competition that was promoted at Kings College London earlier this year.

PREPARATIONS

Fiji is a far cry from the comfort and security of the environment provided by King’s College London where we are all currently studying. This design would be relatively easy to put together quickly and reliably in London (although the distinct lack of sun would not make it feasible!) but it’s a completely different story on Vorovoro. We’ve spent 3 weeks putting together the proposal and design for the project, thinking of all the materials we need, and everything that could potentially go wrong. But the reality is we won’t really know until we get there! In preparation we have made contact with James on the island to see if we would have any problems getting any of the material we need. But again, we won’t really know until we arrive, and have a few ideas of how to progress if we’re not able to get exactly what we need.

We have now booked all our flights, but not without problems… One of us has managed to book the wrong flight from Labassa to Nadi! And unfortunately we won’t all be travelling together as Panos and John’s Greek passports prevent them flying through the US without a visa, so they will instead by flying via Sydney, adding an extra 2 days to their journey.

We have little idea what to expect when to arrive. But our imminent arrival has certainly generated a wide range of emotions: from excitement to hope to trepidation… excited to have the opportunity to get the tribewanted experience and contribute something meaningful and sustainable to the island, hopeful that the project will be successful and make a significant impact to the community, and trepid that it could all go horribly wrong! It is a risk and a challenge to take on this project. There are no certainties. There are no guarantees.

TEAM FUSION

Dinusha Zbyszewski – Dinusha is a 2nd year PhD student in medical robotics, having done his first degree in mechanical engineering. He first heard about the opportunity to use his skills to benefit the Tribewanted community when he attended a talk by Engineers Without Borders. There he met King’s College London Student in Free Enterprise (KCL SIFE) Vice President Josh Kapp who told him about the competition. Dinusha has always been interesting in applying his knowledge and skills in practical and meaningful ways that will enhance the lives of people across the world.

Panagiotis Polygerinos – Panos is a 1st year PhD student in medical robotics, and similarly has a mechanical engineering background. Dinusha asked him to join the team because he is intelligent, reliable, hardworking, and the engineer Dinusha is least likely to strangle if he were stranded on a desert island with one!

Ioannis (John) Vardakis – John is a mechanical engineering student who is currently applying for PhDs. He has a special knowledge of fluid systems and thermodynamics, an understanding of which are integral to the success of this project.

Vivek Datta – Vivek is a final year medical student with longstanding interests in photography and film. He will be responsible for documenting every step of the project through photographs, film and the blog.

We are grateful to Ben Keene and the Tribewanted team and KCL SIFE for providing us with this fantastic opportunity, and anticipate a successful outcome.