This morning while heading into work, we dumped our garbage. Driven by our protected areas manager, Nat, two other volunteers and I assisted in the process by tossing bags and crates of rubbish on top of one of many exposed piles of trash along a road off the highway. Nat, jaded by his time in [...][...]
Archive for the ‘Good Ideas’ Category
Inevitable Stereotypes
As a gringo in Colombia, more often than not, you will be asked, “So what did you think of Colombia before you decided to visit?” Being objective, before you make the trip, cocaine cartels and violence will pop into your head to some extent. You may not mention this and opt for a more pl[...]
When Microenergy and Microfinance Meet
Part of my role at blueEnergy is to manage our two loans through our local microfinance institution. Who would have thought a portfolio of a little over $1,200 would be so challenging? Earlier in 2009, blueEnergy received funds to subsidize individual solar systems for two communities: Set Net Point[...]
Making It Happen For Yourself
When it comes to establishing oneself in a new foreign place, learning the difference between “trolling for opportunities” vs. “putting the word out” is important. When I first set out with the idea of finding somewhere to volunteer at, I spent a lot of time trolling for id[...]
You Down with UPP (Yeah you know me)
According to a new statistic revealed last Tuesday by the New York-based Human Rights Watch, more than 11,000 people have died at the hands of authorities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo since 2003. A substantial portion of this number is derived from the off-duty or “extrajudicial” kil[...]
January 6th, 2010 - 8:26 pm § in Good Ideas, Mexico
All-Female Transport in Mexico
Growing up as a tomboy, I loathed the color pink. I associated it with baking and kittens and babies and lipstick – every stereotype as a woman that even then I subconsciously knew I couldn’t stomach. Even though I now love the color pink (and I don’t wear make-up or feel affection[...]
Evaluating Our Impact
As 2009 comes to a close, many of us volunteering in Latin America will find ourselves in a reflective mood, evaluating what we’ve accomplished and setting new goals for 2010. I was put in an especially pensive state the other day by the visit of two exuberant women, Fran Early and Connie Newton, [...]
