It was a hot and sunny Tuesday afternoon when I arrived in Talara, greeted by the warm and friendly faces of members of the @EcoSwell team on my first official day as an EcoSwell Intern. Two short weeks was the duration of my time here at the EcoSwell house and I was determined to get the most out of it. Straight away I tagged along on the weekly Talara shop, securing food and supplies needed for the working week. Everyone has a key role in the EcoSwell house, whether it is working on a solar distiller, a wind turbine, or even cooking dinner (one of the most important!).
My main role was maintaining two very important EcoSwell projects; the Zion Sunset Forest and the Dry Toilet. At first, I didn’t realise the importance of the work I was tasked to do, but as I began to learn more about these projects from the directors and the volunteers, I grew to appreciate the responsibility in ensuring the progress of these two endeavours. The Zion Sunset Forest and the Dry Toilet address vital issues that the community and environment in Lobitos face: deforestation of the dry forest habitat and the scarcity of freshwater. Volunteers play a key part in the sustainable development of Lobitos; EcoSwell aims to provide the best experience for its volunteers to allow them to have the greatest impact through their work.
As my time in Lobitos comes to an end, my view on sustainable development has changed from pessimistic to optimistic after spending time with a wonderful group. The passion and the knowledge of the EcoSwell team is infectious and the opportunity to learn from such a diverse range of people from all around the world is a truly unforgettable experience. The importance of the work that EcoSwell and similar NGOs cannot be stressed enough; positive change comes from building from the ground up, earning the trust of the local community, and allowing them to enact the growth that will help their environment and wellbeing.
Post and photos by Chris Zheng
@EcoSwell is a for-impact, sustainable development organization based in Lobitos, Peru. Since 2014, we have been working everyday to help coastal communities thrive in unison with nature. All the revenue generated from our SteemIt posts go directly back into our projects. If you would like to learn more, please visit our Facebook, website, and follow us on SteemIt!