For two years, I served as the first volunteer in the remote, rural community of Montiel Potrero, hours away from the nearest paved road or fellow volunteer. I lived in a tiny house without running water, attempted to ride around on a horse, built lots of structurally unsound things with bamboo, grew food, learned Spanish and basic Guarani, read a lot of books, and rode a lot of buses.I worked on a range of projects - partnering with the Ministry of Health to conduct a health census of the community, teaching classes at the elementary and high school, founding the first library, setting up the first computer and basic computer skills course, starting a recycling program to transport hazardous materials to the capital, and building fuel-efficient cookstoves.

Cashier, barista, and shift manager at the student-run coffee shop in the library

Projects for CEO Paul Vandeventer for three consecutive summers