www.windaid.org ISSUE 6 / AUGUST 2018 WORLDWIND Welcome to the sixth issue of WorldWind, WindAid Institute s quarterly newsletter. We find it hard to believe that 2018 is already halfway through! It s been a busy year welcoming new volunteers, organizing installation visits, and scheduling turbine maintenance. In this issue WindAid is pleased to make a few announcements. We ll discuss Playa Blanca, our big move to the new volunteer house, an exclusive volunteer interview, and upcoming program dates & special events. You may have noticed the fresh newsletter design. We re currently working on some exciting updates to improve our means of communication. Thanks for reading! TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 02-03 04 A Year in Numbers Playa Blanca update & photo collage Volunteer highlight with Kemunto Okindo 05 06 07 Volunteer house update Upcoming program dates & special events Independence Day & Pisco Sour Recipe ARTICLES PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN & LAYOUT INFOGRAPHIC WindAid Staff & Team McKenna Sowers McKenna Sowers Sofia Garin & McKenna Sowers
A YEAR IN NUMBERS 2018 In Review PLAYA BLANCA & SEACORPS Piura 4 NEW TURBINES INSTALLED CUSHURO & PARANSHIQUE La Libertad COMMUNITY 23 V I S I T S PASTORURI Ancash 58 INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS This year WindAid has primarily worked with five communities in three different regions AT LEAST ONE WIND TURBINE IS INSTALLED ELECTRICITY POWERS HOMES & DEVICES COMMUNITIES LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES
PLAYA BLANCA UPDATE Written by Gandhi Alva Translation by Nick Warren & McKenna Sowers Playa Blanca, una comunidad peruana costera con alrededor de 60 familias; sin luz eléctrica pero con una fuerte corriente de viento y mucho entusiasmo por la energía sostenible. Eso contribuyó a que WindAid consiga realizar una gran serie de instalación de turbinas eólicas, de las cuales van 23 por ahora. En 2018 hubo 4 instalaciones para 4 familias. Terminando este año, se terminará de cambiar todas las viejas torres por nuevas torres de metal que son más fáciles de mantener y que son más seguras; y también se terminará de instalar en todos los usuarios las nuevas cajas para recargar celulares, que son más prácticas en su uso. Todos los usuarios con sus turbinas mantienen contacto con la Junta Directiva local para así mantener un buen servicio a los sistemas de las turbinas, permitiendo que éstas funcionen mejor que nunca. Playa Blanca ha mejorado social, educativa y económicamente. El uso de aparatos eléctricos como: mini refrigeradores y televisores, funcionan gracias a la turbina. También se han tenido cambios el estilo de vida de la población como: en las tareas de los hogares, los pequeños negocios y rutina educativa de los niños(as). Voluntarios alrededor del mundo han disfrutado su tiempo en la comunidad, sino de también han compartido sus conocimientos y habilidades junto con el equipo y la población; iluminando vidas no solamente en Playa Blanca, sino también las suyas. Playa Blanca, a coastal Peruvian community of around 60 families, lacks grid electricity, but has always had a strong wind resource and enthusiasm for sustainability. These important factors have allowed WindAid to accomplish several turbine installations, with 23 installed currently. In 2018 there have been 4 new turbine installations, for 4 families. We ve also emphasized safety and accessibility. We ll be culminating our 2018 projects by finishing switching out all old towers for safer and easier to maintain metal towers, in addition to retrofitting charge-boxes on all the houses for easier use and understanding of the systems. Everyone who has received a turbine has remained in touch with the local Directiva for regular system servicing, allowing the turbines to run more efficiently than ever. Thru this project the Playa Blanca community now has improved social, educational, and economic development. The use of appliances and gadgets, such as mini fridges and TVs, are powered by the turbines. As a result daily activities are enhanced, such as completing household chores, running small businesses, and childhood education. Volunteers from around the world enjoy time spent with the community, and exchanging knowledge and skill sets with fellow team members and locals; lighting up not just the lives in Playa Blanca, but their own! 02
P L AYA B L A N C A AN EXPERIENCE IN PICTURES Photography by Samuel Rabinowitz Playa Blanca is a culinary paradise for ceviche lovers Volunteers working tigether to hoist a wind turbine Lighting a family s home for the first time leaves a bright impression In their free time volunteers enjoy the stunning coastal views Playa blanca was a humbling experience. interacting with the kids and families was fun; i felt like a part of the community. NIMISHA PANT, volunteer
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT Written by McKenna Sowers Kemunto Okindo is a mechanical engineering student at Duke University. Passionate about global development, Kemunto decided to volunteer with two other Duke students for two months from May to July. Last month we chatted about her overall volunteering experience in Trujillo. Kemunto thoroughly enjoyed spending time together with her peers in the workshop. She spent the first three weeks constructing the wind turbine blades. It was thrilling for her to see the progression from beginning to end; filling the mold with resin all the way to painting when finished. Another memorable highlight was the Playa Blanca installation. Kemunto and eleven other volunteers spent four days partnering with the community to install the very same wind turbine that they built in the workshop. With a smile Kemunto said that it was a lot of work, but an amazing experience. Aside from participating in the workshop and installation, Kemunto worked on an independent research project for the 1.7 wind turbine. After learning that dust and sand short circuit the electric connections, she dived headfirst into brainstorming a solution. Her goal was to redesign the electronic box that included a break inverter and remote monitor to help prevent overheating. At the end of July Kemunto presented her new design. Her work sparked fresh ideas and will help WindAid continue to improve turbine efficiency. KEMUNTO OKINDO I would definitely recommend WindAid s volunteer program. It s a cool way to meet people and have new experiences in a short amount of time. One of the joys of living in Peru is being immersed in the culture. Being Kemunto s first time in Latin America, she was pleasantly surprised by the lifestyle and community in Trujillo. Her smile glowed when she mentioned the friendly locals. Living in Peru is awesome. Even though I don t speak Spanish, people try to help me and have made me feel welcome. In her free time Kemunto took surfing classes and traveled to Machu Picchu. Her volunteer experience in Peru was a memorable adventure, but more importantly, her contribution will help light up lives in rural communities. 04
VOLUNTEER HOUSE UPDATE Written by McKenna Sowers We ve moved! In December 2017 we packed up and headed across town. The old house was quickly being outgrown due to the increasing numbers of volunteers. It was time for a change! The new volunteer house is located in a quiet, safe neighborhood called Ingeneria. It s a beautiful residential area with several parks that s about a 15 minute drive from the workshop. Mama Rosa and the volunteers enjoy cooking in the spacious kitchen We re now within a five minute walk of the shopping center Real Plaza. It s incredibly easy for volunteers to buy groceries, go shopping, and enjoy the movie theater. Several great restaurants are found around the block as well. The new casita has a large kitchen, living room, office, six bedrooms, and five bathrooms. New couches and a comfy recliner were added to the living room just this month.windaid s staff and volunteers have thoroughly enjoyed the larger space. There s nothing like home sweet home! The living room is the favorite hang out spot for movies & music 05
UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES Thinking about volunteering? Join one of our standard four-week programs! 2018 15 October 9 November 19 November 14 December 2019 7 January 1 February 11 February 8 March 18 March 12 April Learn how to build, maintain, and then install wind turbines in fascinating and friendly rural communities. Discover the charming mountains and coasts of Peru while making a lasting impact. There are currently openings but spots fill up quickly! LEARN MORE Interested? Click here! UPCOMING WEBINAR OCTOBER 30 Tune in for our upcoming webinar! Campbell Simpson will be hosting a live discussion and answering your volunteering questions on Tuesday, October 30th at 2pm Peru time. To view the webinar via Google Hangouts click here. We are hoping to FALL 2018 hold a WindAid get-together in TBA London this Autumn. If you would like to come along or get involved in organizing it, please contact communications@windaid.org. LONDON EVENT 06
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY Written by Beth Brown & McKenna Sowers Las Fiestas Patrias is one of the biggest national holidays in Peru. Celebrated the last weekend of July (the 28-29th), this grand holiday commemorates independence from Spain and the establishment of Peru as a republic. Locals and tourists alike enjoy fireworks, admire traditional dances, and savour typical dishes such as Ceviche. Las Fiestas Patrias and Pisco go hand in hand. Pisco is a clear, amber-colored brandy that is made from grapes grown in southern Peru. It s often mixed to create a tasty cocktail called Pisco Sour. In fact, the liquor is so popular that the fourth Sunday of July is dedicated as National Pisco Day! Even though the holiday has come and gone, you can still enjoy Peru s national drink. Pisco Sour Recipe INGREDIENTS 3 ounces Pisco 1 ounce simple syrup 1 ounce key lime juice 1 egg white Angostura bitters (2-3 dashes) Ice cubes NON-ALCOHOLIC VERSION 3 ounces coconut water 1 ounce simple syrup 1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice 1 egg white FOLLOW THESE STEPS Add ice and shake vigorously or blend until it foams. 01 Mix the pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker or blender. 02 03 Strain into a glass, sprinkle on the Angostura bitters. Serve immediately. So invite over your WindAid friends and get mixing! (always drink responsibly) 07