REED’s Be The Good program recently funded Alejandro Martinez de Alva’s work in Peru with Projects Abroad, an organization that offers a host of service-centered trips around the world. Alejandro’s time in Peru was focused on collecting data and assisting with animal release and breeding programs and a sustainable pilot farm in the Amazon.
Read more about his experience in this Q&A:
Why were you drawn to this service trip?
I was drawn to this service trip for several reasons. First, I have done several service-based trips that aim to aid people and environments. The idea of going to a location as remote as the Amazon and stepping out of my comfort zone was a challenge that I looked forward to. I stumbled across Projects Abroad’s programs and saw they had a wide range of opportunities around the globe. When I found their conservation-based program in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, my jaw dropped. I had heard about the Amazon in textbooks since I was a kid, and I knew that if I could volunteer with the declining animal populations, it would be a humbling and impactful experience. So, after a lot of preparation, I applied, headed down to the Peruvian Amazon and stayed at the Taricaya ecological reserve.
How did you spend your time? What did a typical day look like?
A typical day at Taricaya was activity-filled and labor-based but well worth it! Consisting of early mornings and late nights, we started feeding animals from the reserve at sunrise by preparing fruits and vegetables in the animal kitchen then going into the enclosures and feeding them. The animals ranged from howler monkeys to toucans. In the afternoon, we completed other activities, such as clearing trails in the jungle, going to banana farms and taking notes from observation towers.
What is one positive thing that surprised you about Peruvian culture?
The joyful manner and how they express themselves. No matter how rainy it was outside or how tedious the work was, they always had a smile on their face. I noticed they felt very grateful for the minor things in life that many people don’t consider.
What is one thing you experienced during the service trip that stuck out?
Two main things stuck out to me while I was down in Peru doing conservation work: the current issue of deforestation and animal trapping and the corrupt economies that interfere with a peaceful way of life for the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest. One positive that stuck out was the dedication and kindness that the other volunteers/employees of Taricaya expressed when conserving such a beautiful rainforest and its native animals.
What was the most humbling experience of this trip?
The most humbling experience I had was connecting and developing friendships with other volunteers and the animals I worked with. The volunteers I met were from all over the world, and forming new friendships with people of different socioeconomic backgrounds felt very liberating. In addition, the animals I worked with opened my eyes to the effort and maintenance required to keep these beautiful creatures alive and thriving in such a complex environment.