We had the opportunity to sit down with one of our fantastic partner organizations located in the Peruvian highlands, specifically in Trujillo, to learn more about their work providing families in rural communities with electricity through sustainable energy sources. We had the pleasure of speaking with Gabriel (Gandhi) Alva, WindAid’s current Executive Director, and Jennifer Raysik-Young, the Deputy Executive Director.
When I asked Gandhi how he ended up working for WindAid with a degree in Anthropology, he smiled and shared that he had known about WindAid since childhood because he was Michael Verkamp’s neighbor — the founder of the organization, which started back in 2006. Michael began WindAid in his garage, building wind turbines with co-founder Señor Abel Yupaqui Davila and other local Peruvians using instructional manuals. WindAid was registered as an American NGO in 2014 and as a Peruvian NGO in 2018. A quick look at their website (WindAid Institute) shows the significant impact this organization has already had on its target communities. For example, they have installed over 50 wind turbines across Peru and conducted over 100 educational workshops in partnership with local schools and universities.
If you’re interested in learning more about engineering and sustainable energy solutions, WindAid is definitely a great place to start. You’ll join a committed and well-organized team, experience an enriching cultural immersion, and have the chance to develop your skills and abilities on site. And let’s not forget the possibility of a spontaneous surfing trip or a hike to visit a pre-Hispanic temple!
All images courtesy of WindAid Institute.