Renewable Energy Volunteer Internship (In-Person & Online)

From the beginning, EcoSwell made it easy to feel part of the house and the community. The team went above and beyond to make me feel welcome, even reaching out while I was still in Lima. This warm and inclusive atmosphere helped me settle in quickly. In terms of work, I especially enjoyed my visit to the Medical Center in Quiñones (where EcoSwell are installing a solar UPS system) with Hugo, my supervisor. I appreciate that my current work, like transcribing interviews and gathering information, is a part of a larger project for the Medical Center in Suyo, where another system is being installed. Seeing the impact of my efforts and how they connect to a greater purpose is incredibly rewarding and makes me look forward to similar work in the future.

The best part of my experience was the strong bond with the group; we got along so well that it made every moment enjoyable. I also loved visiting several solar panel installations and witnessing firsthand how they positively impacted people's lives by making daily tasks easier. Working in Suyo, particularly at the medical center, was eye-opening. We saw how these solar systems benefited the community and learned about the challenges they faced before having access to reliable energy. Seeing the contributions of past interns highlighted the importance of this work. The hands-on learning with the solar panels was another highlight. Taking measurements and observing how parameters changed based on the panel's condition was fascinating, and having the chance to ask technical questions to experts deepened my understanding. Overall, the blend of team camaraderie, real-world impact, and technical learning made this a truly valuable and rewarding experience.

My volunteer experience was very positive, and I learned a lot during my time here. One of the highlights was having the chance to collaborate across different areas. While I was mainly involved in Renewables, I also worked on water, sanitation, and reforestation projects, which I found very rewarding. A standout aspect was observing how volunteers took a project from start to finish. Seeing the progression—from our initial groundwork to the final outcomes and the satisfaction of the families who benefited—made the experience deeply fulfilling.

Returning to EcoSwell for a second time, I took a broader approach to my internship, focusing on various projects instead of a single one. In a conversation with Andres, the Director of the Program, we agreed on this structure so I could gain a comprehensive view of how different projects intersect and provide help where it was most needed. This approach became essential in my first two weeks, as I stepped into a supervisory role. During that time, I collaborated with other volunteers to align on ongoing projects, helping them—and myself—better understand the work. It was an insightful challenge that gave me experience in managing multiple projects and ensuring their timelines stayed on track. Eventually, I concentrated on two specific projects: one with the group of the Newcastle University, where I explored project financing related to my field of study, and another focused on developing a centralized organizational system for EcoSwell. The goal was to make project documentation more accessible, streamlining the onboarding process for future volunteers. Both projects broadened my skills in project management and introduced me to innovative ways of implementing concepts in different environments. Compared to my first time here during the pandemic, having a larger volunteer group enriched the experience significantly. I gained valuable insights from people worldwide, which added a new level of learning and collaboration. The larger team made this experience even more rewarding.

This experience has been incredibly rewarding, especially with the variety of new experiences. I've enjoyed diving into so many new engineering-related tasks, like writing reports and assisting with installations at the medical center. Beyond the professional side, being here has also given me the chance to surf and practice Spanish, adding a meaningful cultural layer to the experience.

Overall, my experience has been incredibly positive. Coming from a non-engineering background, I joined the renewable energy program hoping to gain hands-on experience in solar energy and project management in a real-world context. Working directly with renewable energy installations, like helping install solar panels for a family, provided invaluable practical learning. It was especially fulfilling to engage with communities facing challenges in accessing essential resources, and I feel that I truly achieved my goals here. Additionally, the welcoming team, laid-back atmosphere, and chance to surf daily made my time here even more enjoyable.

My name is David Doyle, I am from Ireland and I have a degree in electrical engineering. All my life I have always wanted to do voluntary work and help people who are less fortunate then me, along with this I have also wanted to visit and explore South America. So, when I discovered Ecoswell I knew it was a golden opportunity to achieve both as well as gaining valuable work experience in my career field. My main task with EcoSwell was to construct a solar water distiller and test its operation. In Lobitos water can be scarce and even more so in the summer months, so having the opportunity to help with and alleviate this problem is very rewarding. In my first week I was working on drip irrigation systems which use recycled water. In my second week, I was working with solar panels and its acquisition of energy usage, for the remained of my time we have being planting native plants in desert area, constructing fences at local schools and providing wave and swell charts for the local fisherman here to use. Along with ordering of materials and planning of construction of the solar water distiller. Every day I know the work I did will practically help the life’s of others and I learnt something new every day. The guys in the EcoSwell house are great to both live and work with and are very laidback and supportive. Since living in Lobitos my Spanish has improved and learned how to prepare and cook some the nicest dishes I have ever tasted (The food in Peru is amazing!), along with what is now my most favourite drink Pisco Sour! I went surfing, hiking and cave exploring with the guys. Life in Lobitos great, the beach is beautiful, the restaurants offer delicious food with the cheapest of prices, the weather is amazing I have discovered my new-found love for surfing. The people and the lifestyle here is very laidback and relaxed. I met a lot of cool people from all over the world. I also have visited Mancora which I would recommend along other beaches and towns in north Peru.

This experience was truly career-defining and made me rethink my lifestyle and my values. I don't use those words lightly but EcoSwell has definitely won them. I enjoyed living at the EcoHouse for 3 months and have many amazing things to say about EcoSwell. I had the amazing opportunity to develop a wind turbine project. As a result, i obtained plenty of experience as an engineer and I still wow many employers with my story. Additionally, I learned how to live a sustainable life from a health and environmental perspective. The weekly planting day, the many ingenious way they implement sustainability at the house and the team's enthusiasm about sustainability made me fall in love with sustainability. Lobitos is a great place to go surfing but the unique environment lends itself also to hikes, chill gatherings outdoors and exploring the interesting history and culture of the place.

My experience at EcoSwell was incredible. I learned so much, met awesome people, and was able to experience a completely new and unfamiliar place and culture. The sense of community at Ecoswell was strong; we all lived in the same house so everyone was always working together and having interesting and eye-opening conversations. The Directors were almost always available to discuss any questions about projects or tell stories about EcoSwell's past or teach us about the community and Peruvian culture. I never felt unsafe; the Lobitos community is extremely friendly and the Directors know many people in the community that I got to meet and interact with. I led my own project to build a solar distiller, and learned a lot about effective leadership, create realistic goals and expectations, and crowdfund! Interning for EcoSwell is truly an immersive experience; I would recommend it to anyone who is adventurous, wants to become more mindful of their environmental footprint, and work with a lively, hard-working team to help the community of Lobitos become more eco-conscious whilst improving their quality of life.

Lost. That’s how I felt during my third year of university. But I found EcoSwell’s volunteer internship programme. I was determined. I have always had renewable energy and sustainability in my heart and it was time to take initiative. Here at EcoSwell I got to work on many incredible projects. I got the opportunity to work with the development of water desalination system (solar distiller), plant my first trees, learn about electronics for aeroponics and I even had the opportunity to use my passion of videography to promote the organization and succeed in two crowdfunding campaigns. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience to be working with an interdisciplinary team of engineers and environmentalists in helping bring a more sustainable Lobitos. And it has even gone to inspire me to change my academic focus to sustainable energy engineering. For that I’m grateful, but what will always be in my heart is the people of EcoSwell. The volunteering internship programme is really special in that all the volunteers are here for different time-periods, from 2 weeks to 6 months. Therefore, the team members are constantly exchanging, in and out. And what makes this unique is that you meet many people. The programme attracts the most ambitious and genuine people who are a pleasure to be around. With the incredible work and volunteers that make EcoSwell special, the leadership is what completes the experience. Michael, Andres, Diego, Alejandro and Naiana are all incredible leaders to be around in EcoSwell. They are effective and efficient bosses, but they are also your friends. They will not only make your time at EcoSwell productive, but also enjoyable. I have never laughed so much and been so productive simultaneously. And if leadership that combines productivity with joy isn’t the best form of leadership, then what is? EcoSwell has shown me what great leadership is and I now have the inspiration and principles of which I will develop my leadership skills. I will miss Lobitos. I will miss surfing. I will miss raising Cusquena’s at Tranquis. I will miss everyone and everything. But I will laugh at the times we danced salsa and sang songs in the house. I will laugh at the times I got scared by the iguana 543897 times. I will laugh at my Spanish vocabulary being limited to “yo quiero esposa”. And as I sit here in La Casona watching my last sunset, I see a crack... I step through this crack and I realise I have stepped back into my life in London, but I can feel a new sense of purpose. I can feel that I finally know myself and that for once I can feel an inner success in my life. But before I start running back into my life, I turn back… I can see Lobitos from the sunset’s eyes… They all said Lobitos had the most beautiful sunsets. But they never realized that the sunset had the most beautiful Lobitos.

Upon reflection on my experience volunteering at EcoSwell, I think one of the most important things I learned that the way to create change is through sustainable maintenance of projects. Many NGOs in developing countries is that they tend to start projects, when volunteers come, and discontinue them, once the volunteers leave. This is a problem because many of the projects that foreign volunteers start don’t get completed, or break down without continued maintenance. EcoSwell does things a little differently. In my experience, EcoSwell’s focus is on the maintenance and sustainability of existing projects. Although some volunteers do initiate new projects, the vast majority of volunteers spend their time sustaining projects that currently exist. The sustainability involves regular upkeep, reflection, and redesign. This leads to lasting impact in the Lobitos community and is one of the reasons I think EcoSwell has accomplished so much. I am proud to have had the opportunity to be apart of this process, and believe that the impact I had helping sustain a current project was far greater than the impact I would have had starting a new project that may or may not continue. I think the meeting I had with the fishermen was a success, and hopefully the work I did to help educate the fisherman on their solar energy use will ensure that they treat the solar energy system with care is sustained long into the future. I also feel confident that the EcoSwell team, and their partners, will continue to improve the solar energy project and build off the work I have done. Can’t wait to see what is next!

I spent three weeks in Lobitos with the EcoSwell team. Upon my arrival, the first thing I noticed was how quickly the new arrivals were assimilated into the EcoSwell life and routine. Within a few days of living and working with the directors and the other volunteers it felt like I had been there for months. Overall, my time at the EcoSwell house was life changing. I learned more about sustainability than I ever did in a classroom in college. I had been working in Washington DC for a year prior to my time in Lobitos and the three weeks I spent there were exactly what I needed to reinvigorate my passion for living sustainably and doing my part to ensure the future of this planet. Lobitos is a magical place and the work EcoSwell is doing will help to ensure a bright future for Lobitos and many other places in years to come. I give my highest recommendation for this program for anyone out there who is interested in NGOs and how they operate as well as anyone looking to make a positive impact on this planet we call home.