Throughout August 2017, I am volunteering with a charity called WindAid based in Peru. I hope to expand my educational and cultural horizons taking part in this project relating to my engineering studies.

WindAid Institute serves as an educational institute whose projects provide electricity to developing communities utilizing wind energy to provide a clean and reliable source of electricity in locations where traditional electricity is not available. Its mission is to provide educational experiences empowering people to create a sustainable world. Students and professionals come from all over the world to work together designing, building, and installing wind generators. Each project contributes to the evolution of the design, or reinforces the solidity of the design concepts encouraging an environment of education and innovation.

Volunteers who join the WindAid Institute placement program have the opportunity to build and install a wind turbine in just four weeks. It is the financial contribution and work of the volunteers during the WindAid Institute program that covers the cost of the wind turbine and installation such that the completed wind turbine is presented to the recipient community at no cost.

Recipient communities in Peru are provided with access to electricity to power their lights, computers or other electrical items to help improve the standard of living, improve teaching conditions and support the start-up and growth of small businesses.

WindAid also works in partnership with local communities, other non-governmental organisations and charities to identify suitable recipients of the wind turbines manufactured by our volunteers. Working with the recipient community, through training and preparation, WindAid help to ensure the wind turbines operate for their entire design life of 20 years and continue to bring the benefits that electricity can provide.

Find out more about WindAid and its projects at http://www.windaid.org