Leicester’s Enactus team chose the problem of arsenic contaminated water, faced by residents of the Comilla district of Bangladesh, as one of their projects and named it Operation Comilla. Joe Austin, Lubron UK’s MD, was able to advise the group on the technology required for a successful arsenic removal system which would use local materials, labour and skills to empower villagers to clean their water. Joe had recently researched and found a resolution to the problem of arsenic ingress into previously clean water, for a UK company, and enjoys the scientific challenge Operation Comilla has presented for him.
As the new academic year begins, there has been a change in personnel at the university’s Enactus team with Operation Comilla now being led by David Steven Sanchez Perilla. The level of enthusiasm remains high, though, with the new committee sending out a newsletter to keep everyone up-to-date with their achievements over the summer and their plans for the near future. This is what they had to say about Operation Comilla:
“Operation Comilla began summer with a clear mantra and summer action plan, and we are pleased to announce that the Project has begun to make some positive progress. Operation Comilla has made significant headway towards developing their filter and establishing stronger links with Project Partners both locally and internationally. This has been accompanied by a strengthening of our existing ties within our University’s engineering department. Moreover, one of our members, Shehzad, a Bangladesh native, is currently in the country talking to potential Project Partners.”
We will post further updates as we receive them, or you can visit the Leicester Enactus website at www.enactusleicester.co.uk