Brian McCafferty volunteered in Guatemala, putting his engineering background to use by helping an agricultural project flourish.
Brian McCafferty volunteered in Guatemala, putting his engineering background to use by helping an agricultural project flourish. While volunteering on the project he sent us the following email, updating us to how he was making a difference for the students, farmers and staff involved.
Hi Anton,
Yes all is going well here. I am working with the Agrícola Utz Samaj organisation which is part of FUDI (Fundación para el Desarrollo Integral). They teach a class of students in environmentally friendly agricultural methods and are involved with rural farmers in the construction and running of greenhouses for tomato growing. The greenhouses enable the use of use less pesticides and water and produce better crops. They also try to get the farmer to market and sell his product better to get better prices.
They have been having temperature and humidity problems though and this is where I am working to help them, i.e. with the use of sensors and logging equipment and software. I've also been helping with instruments and computer equipment issues in their center. When in Ireland I did not want to work in engineering as I thought it would be too much like my work, but that is definitely not the case! I am much happier in hopefully being able to provide some useful help. The director of the project, Rene Waldemar Morales has been very helpful and friendly and luckily for me speaks excellent English!
You asked if I have any photos, I'm afraid just one. I was out last week visiting two of the greenhouse projects that Utz Samaj are involved with and one of the farmers prepared a picnic for us, using fruit and veg from his farm and the local sausage. It was excellent! You can see the greenhouse in the background. I am in the centre with Rene to my left with the glasses. The other guys work in the greenhouse and the farmer is taking the picture! I got permission for you to use it if you wanted to.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that things are going grand here and to thank you for an interesting and challenging placement.
Regards,
Brian McCafferty