Global Engineering: Peru 2024
After the long journey, we were warmly greeted at the EcoSwell house and hostel, instantly feeling a sense of belonging with the volunteers and staff. Our first day kicked off with an engaging introductory talk, setting the tone for our time here. Covering everything from the tasks ahead to health and safety protocols, and thorough risk assessments, it was evident that our hosts prioritised our well-being and ensured we were well-prepared for the tasks ahead. The talk not only provided practical insights but also instilled a sense of confidence within us as we embarked on our mission. Filled with knowledge and guidance, we felt ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead. The task that was given to the teams were to install a PV module for a home in Lobitos, as well as a cookstove for their homes. This meant that we would be using a variety of different materials that I haven't used before , which made me more excited for the tasks in the upcoming weeks.
Adding to the enriching experience was a captivating workshop on the intricacies of clay-making. We delved into the fascinating process of transforming raw materials into malleable clay and learned how clay was made. The most interesting part was the 'clay dance', which was how the clay was warmed up by transferring their body heat to the clay, and showed how the clay workers showed love to the clay. Hands-on and interactive, the workshop allowed us to roll up our sleeves and get creative, as well as be familiar with the materials that we would be using when on site. I decided to make a turtle (my artistic skills are very limited). The workshop was fun and it as nice to do learn and do something that I have not done before. It also made me excited for what the EcoSwell team had installed for us.
The group of us was then split into two teams, these being the teams that we would be working with for both the projects. We had the cookstove project first and then the solar panel to follow, and vice versa for the other team.