After giving myself some time to adjust to being back in the United States after my placement with Eco-Swell, I think I am finally ready to accurately reflect on my experiences there. I think I needed some time because the differences in the environment from my home-town of Madison, Mississippi and that of Lobitos, Peru, and the micro-community within the Eco-Swell house are so profound.
I come from a conservative community. I don’t say that to mean the reliance on established principles is a good or bad thing, only that the progressive and intellectually based problem-solving atmosphere of Eco-Swell was a refreshing change. Each day was a new challenge for me. Whether it was researching potential grants, how to build a frame for the solar distiller out of bamboo or new potential designs for the dry-toilet irrigation pipe, I felt challenged intellectually. I felt my capacities were respected and my capabilities developed when faced with problems and offered the freedom to explore and implement solutions. This type of bottom-up approach and its ubiquity within Eco-Swell is something I spoke with Michael and Andres about extensively. This type of approach which differs from that of most other NGOs, allowed Eco-Swell to discover the needs of the community without bias, and address those needs as they were able to grow. In that way, growth in the community was organic and progress came where it was most needed.
Swell, I will take many lessons from this experience. One, that every day I should strive to learn more about the world around me, and as I inevitably discover issues, try and fix them before they cause problems for everyone. Two, that surrounding myself with knowledgeable and interesting friends and colleagues is perhaps my greatest tool to personal and professional success. The friends that I made at Eco-Swell pushed me intellectually and physically to achieve things I most certainly did not think I was capable of. And finally, that good business means beginning with good intentions and following through every day to consciously improve the lives of others. In living with these principles, I hope to carry the fulfillment gained through my three weeks at Eco-Swell into the rest of my career. Thank you to everyone in Lobitos for an amazing experience, and I look forward to seeing you all again someday.
@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. If you would like to learn more, please visit our Facebook, website, and follow us on SteemIt!