“I was part of the 2nd volunteer troop, away back in September 2010. It was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed my time in Peru. The fact that we built something with our own hands, that provided renewable energy to those that couldn’t get access to grid electricity was incredibly rewarding. From a selfish perspective, the placement helped my define my future in renewable energy. After returning to Scotland I worked for a biomass company and I am now studying for a PhD, specifically involving wind turbines, at the University of Strathclyde. It was also important that I pushed my self out of my comfort zone and explored what life is like in South America. My lack of Spanish before my trip was definitely testament to that! Although I’m sure a lot has changed since I was in Peru, I would still recommend the volunteer placement to anyone, regardless of background. I believe the future success of future projects relies heavily on community involvement. The knowledge and expertise regarding wind turbines is far more valuable than simply providing access to them.”