The past three months have come and gone in the blink of an eye, and even though the time has gone by quickly, what I have learnt and the experiences I have had have been immense. During my time at Project 90 I was involved in many activities: from attending the YouLead-Collective’s annual retreat, to being part of the team to research and create low-cost cooking insulation units. Through these many experiences I have met people with diverse backgrounds from around South Africa – who have all come together to work towards a united goal; to change the way we engage with our environment.
I have learnt so much from these individuals, and have seen firsthand, that anyone is capable of making a difference in their own way if they possess the desire – regardless of status or formal education.
Seeing climate change from the perspective of a developing country has been eye opening; the need to control our growing carbon footprint and build infrastructure at the same time is a balancing act I had little knowledge of, or experience with. I now feel I have a much broader perspective on the issue of climate change than many of my peers in the United States, and I look forward to sharing what I have learnt with them.
My journey in South Africa began three months ago. The people I have met during my time here, specifically those through Project 90, have been truly inspirational. Being around such passionate people has rejuvenated my own passion and I cannot wait to see where it takes me. Though I’m quietly hoping it will take me back to Cape Town!
Kathryn Maguire – volunteer