Testimonials

"My experience at EcoSwell was truly incredible"

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.

Jessa Clark - Stanford University, USA - RENEWABLE ENERGY Volunteer INTERN

"This has been the most impactful experience of my life by far."

I spent two fantastic months with EcoSwell in Lobitos, Peru. This has been the most impactful experience of my life by far. I was able to learn a lot about the vast differences Nonprofits can make as well as gain unique work experience in a fantastic location on the Pacific ocean. EcoSwell attracts some of the most intelligent and charismatic people from around the world that are making a genuine difference. Take a look through their profile to see the great things going on in Lobitos.

William McCarthy, Florida State University, USA - NGO Management volunteer intern

“I hope to return soon!”

My name is Jorge Schwalb, I’m from Lima, Peru, and studied Business Administration at the University of Lima.

I was 2 weeks in Lobitos as a volunteer with EcoSwell, I met them through a talk held at the University of Lima and it caught my attention because I always wanted to be able to help a community doing something that has a positive impact. The main aim of my project was to find a sustainable use for Fishermen’s Guild Community Hall, which has a solar panel and a biodigester that are not being used at full capacity. For that I began exploratory research which sought to define how fish commerce in Lobitos works, as well as, analyze the whole artisanal fishing value chain. I did interviews with owners of hotels, restaurants, several fishermen, traders and people related to the fishing industry, and I found it amazing how open they are all to hear ideas and give their opinion, there was not a single person with who refused to do so, much of this thanks to the EcoSwell team who have made strong ties with the community and have earned the confidence of everyone. With these interviews came up proposals that now need to be analyzed for viability. I also had the opportunity to support other projects of EcoSwell as “Lobitos Verde” helping to plant, check the plants of families that were involved in the project and delivering fertilizer so they can develop well. Another project was the “Wilipipe” which are the tide tables used by fishermen to determine which days are best to go fishing or make tours for visitors. These tide tables are placed in three points in Lobitos, the Community Hall, the fishing pier and the docks. Apart from the projects I also had time to enjoy the beach, climate and people. The Lobitos beach is very good for surfing, most of the tourists visit for that reason, the water is a little cold but it complements well with the Piuran sun. On one of the weekends we went to the beach “El Ñuro” which is 40 minutes north from Lobitos, it’s a popular beach because you can swim with turtles that go there to eat next to the pier, there’s also good waves and few people go there, so it’s a perfect place to relax and have a good time. The last day at Lobitos we went fishing with Tullio, an artisanal fisherman, his son Antonio and Selcuk, another volunteer from EcoSwell. We arrived at the pier at 5:45am and sailed out for an hour out to sea, where we fished for about two and a half hours. On the way back Tullio made Ceviche with the fish we had caught, then we stopped to watch the sea lions at the oil platforms, and when we were returning to the dock we saw two whales very close to us, an amazing experience! People at the EcoSwell house treated me unbelievably well, they have an incredible positive attitude, a passion for helping the community of Lobitos and have supported me in all stages of my project. It’s amazing what they have accomplished in Lobitos despite all the adversity at the community, like the little support they have from the Government and the problems that exist between some residents and the Municipality. It has been a very good experience and I hope to return soon!

Jorge Schwalb, University of Lima, Peru - Research volunteer Intern

"EcoSwell has achieved what most other volunteer organisations struggle to do"

EcoSwell has achieved what most other volunteer organisations struggle to do: break free from the realms of well-meaning voluntourism and forge a living link with their host town, through the realization of projects which engage community stakeholders, from fishermen, to housewives, to local schools, hoteliers and surfers. EcoSwell, have done exactly that. The team have directly impacted the lives of approximately 2,000 people, and indirectly double that figure. This has not gone unnoticed by the locals. After visiting in April 2017 and spending one month in the delightful company of my EcoFamily, seeing sustainable change being realized in such a direct way, meeting the people who call Lobitos home and being part of such a wholly positive organisation is not only refreshing, but inspiring. What’s more, on a professional level, the practical experience gained whilst here, so hotly demanded by employers nowadays, is the real deal. I have learnt about bureaucratic and practical obstacles to development, increasing environmental and demographic threats and attempts to curb them and, above all, I have been reassured that in an era where macro-pessimism seems second nature, the good things outweigh all the bad.

LIam innis - newcastle university - reforestation & conservation volunteer intern

“An unforgettable experience!”

After giving myself some time to adjust to being back in the United States after my placement with EcoSwell, 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 hometown of Madison, Mississippi and that of Lobitos, Peru, and the micro-community within the EcoSwell 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 EcoSwell 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 EcoSwell is something I spoke with Michael and Andres about extensively. This type of approach which differs from that of most other NGOs, allowed EcoSwell 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. 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 EcoSwell 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 EcoSwell 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.

Christopher Eaves - University of Southern Mississippi, USA - NGO Management volunteer Intern

“Every day I know the work I did will practically help the lives of others”

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.

David Doyle - Dundalk Institute of Technology - Renewable Energy volunteer Intern

“EcoSwell has accomplished so much”

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 maintainance 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!

Frances Ramsay - University of British Columbia, Canada - Renewable Energy volunteer Intern

“The experience was incredible”

I packaged my Master's learning and travelled to Lobitos to carry out my thesis research, which created a comparative tool to analyse the extent and nature of opportunity identification within multidisciplinary teams. Outside of this purpose I identified an opportunity to help Ecoswell after listening to the hopes and frustrations of the team. The opportunity was to incorporate design and innovation processes into their sustainable development projects to achieve their 2021 vision. So, I created a bespoke design sprint which I found to be the most appropriate method to guide the team in unfamiliar processes; which aimed to co-create with their core team to envision alternative strategies framed by particular constraints and future scenarios; capitalise on the knowledge and networks established in visualising their strategy; and deploying my design capabilities as a creator of compelling narratives to deliver the knowledge and assets required to drive new innovation within EcoSwell.

The experience was incredible.The natural beauty of Lobitos was a highlight as well as the food, culture and the surfing. The accommodation was exactly as described with all the amenities and comforts one can expect. I was well looked after with food being provided 3 times a day. The healthy diet provided was a great aspect of the overall stay. The health and safety procedures were thorough. I was also given these procedures well in advance, ensuring I understood the risks and how to mitigate them. I felt safe for the entirety of my time there.

I was in constant contact with the EcoSwell team. as mentioned I was given detailed health and safety information prior to arriving. I was also given detailed information on how to get to the location. the team were well organised and we Skyped regularly before and after my time there. I felt that the work I needed to do in terms of my thesis was well provisioned. I was also given plenty of leeway when initiating the design sprint, where the team gave up 3 days of their week towards this project. I felt fully utilised and needed.

Selcuk Cem Bulut - Northumbria University, UK - Research volunteer Intern

“The leadership is what completes the experience”

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.

Joris Simaitis - University College London (UCL), UK - Renewable Energy volunteer Intern

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