Service Learning Internship Program

A typical afternoon in Nicaragua, with the exception of the days in which we working in Kakabila and Monkey Point, consisted of traveling to different parts of the city (Bluefields) and visiting households with a bio-sand filter. At each home, we performed various tests (i.e. turbidity tests) on the water from the filter, the closest source (a well, the lagoon, etc.), and the storage receptacle.

We also collected a sample of water from each of these sources to bring back to Inatec to test for fecal coliform. In addition, we conducted surveys at each household to assess living conditions and knowledge of correct filter usage. After visiting the required houses for the afternoon, the team would come back to Inatec to prepare the water samples for the fecal coliform test.

We started by taking the water we had collected from each source and vacuuming it through a porous pad. We drenched this pad in a particular medium that encourages bacteria growth and placed it in a petri dish. After preparing all of our water samples in this manner, we placed all of the petri dishes in an incubator, and left them overnight for fourteen hours.

After finishing work between five and six every evening, we returned to the blueEnergy house. The evenings were generally quiet and were spent doing whatever we wished. For dinner, we either cooked at the house or went out to a restaurant. On weekdays, we relaxed after dinner - reading, watching a movie, etc. On the weekends, we usually went out in the city for more entertainment.

In terms of volunteering and my actual work, the highlight of my trip was conducting surveys at each household. Personally, I always find my interaction with the community the most rewarding part of any trip or work experience. Being able to communicate (in Spanish) with the members of different families and talk with them about the sanitation issues was what made me feel like I was really accomplishing something.

It was fulfilling to hear about how the water filters were benefitting each family and preventing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. The surveys made me feel like I was connecting with the community, instead of just working to help the people. In terms of overall experience, the highlight of my trip was travelling to two communities outside of Bluefields, namely Kakabila and Monkey Point.

I really enjoyed seeing a different side of Nicaragua - the areas which have not been affected by modernity and urban lifestyle. Everything from traveling on small, open, powered canoes (called pangas) and sleeping in hammocks to seeing children racing on their ponies and waking up at 5am to watch the sunrise was exciting and eye-opening.

The people that I worked with, both blueEnergy employees/volunteers and various community members, made the experience unique and special for me. En route to Nicaragua, I was well aware of my interest in and passion for environmental and community development issues. But nothing can explain the feeling of being surrounded by other people that possess the same passions as you.

Each member of the blueEnergy community is completely invested in their work, and it was rewarding to be a part of that commitment and contribute to that goal.

I was also impacted by the interactions I had with blueEnergy beneficiaries in the community. Conversing with people about how their lives had been improved by the bio-sand filters was extremely special.

Throughout the experience, I grew a lot personally, and I believe I gained tremendous insight on my career in the future. Hopefully, I can further explore the kind of work that I did in Nicaragua soon.

We work on the edge. blueEnergy is first-in, and we go in to areas where there are no roads, no markets, and few services. blueEnergy has the unique ability to assess needs, build long lasting relationships with communities, figure out what will and won't work, and implement projects accordingly. We have been in the field for 8 years - working on the ground every step of the way.

Flexibility and a willingness to learn is important. We want volunteers seeking a meaningful, life changing experience in an area of the world where 75% of population lacks access to energy and clean water. We choose volunteers that are able to work in challenging contexts. A positive attitude, good sense of humor and love for the human spirit is also appreciated!

blueEnergy is looking forward to filling the future of the most isolated poor with energy, clean water and sanitation solutions. By 2016 we hope to train and inspire 1,000 global leaders.