Also in this section

Volunteer downloads

Start your volunteer experience today by downloading the WAVES Info Pack.

If you are ready to submit your application then get started with our online application form.

Volunteer today

Testimonials

  • As I left Lobitos this time, it was with a quiet but irrepressible sense of joy and satisfaction, knowing that Henry will continue to fuel this creative cycle, amplifying and sharing the story of his town and WAVES—the organization that has brought so many good people there to teach and to learn. - Forest Woodward -
  • "I walk away with from this feeling like so much has happened, so much was achieved and there are so many stories to tell and a lot of great experiences to share" - Raffael Schmidt
  • "I just want to thanks all the WAVES staff for the 2 weeks that I spent in this very special place that I will visit again and again, for sure." - Caio
  • This is a great stop-off for people spending an extended time in South America. - Marieke
  • It's a great atmosphere for teamwork and cooperation. - Jeremy Koons

Environmental Health

Cesar gets up at 3am to go fishing. He'll make about $16 a day. Until recently he'd come to a dirt floor. Today, he comes home to a concrete floor he himself installed with the help of WAVES volunteers. The Environmental Health program is designed to create a health supportive environment - through sustainable construction, concrete floors, water systems, composting / gardening, recycling, solar and a Marine Protected Area.

Concrete floors are not given away, but rather financed through a Micro-Finance program where Cesar has some skin in the game.  If you want to learn more and be part of programs that help community members pull themselves out of poverty, let us know.

5 Year Vision: Over the next 5 years we plan to mobilize 500 volunteers that lead to healthy home environments through the installation of 100 concrete floors, potable water systems and home gardens. Volunteer and community participation will lead to the construction of a Community Surf Centre Compound, a Volunteer Hospitality & Culinary Center with solar, permaculture, composting and recycling components. A Marine Protected Area declared in Northern Peru will include Lobitos, Negritos and Cabo Blanco.

Methods:
Sustainable Construction:   WAVES has a small grant to rehabilitate & build a Community Educational Surf Centre that includes a business mentorship and community education room.   Volunteers can participate actively in the building process and raise funds to contribute to the buildings sustainable elements.

Concrete Floors: Volunteers are welcome to participate in a project that puts concrete floors in the homes of participating community members.   Currently, many homes have dirt floors and concrete provides a healthier environment.   Locals are given the floor in exchange for spending time working on a related WAVES project.

Water Systems:  Water is a very valuable commodity in the Peruvian Desert.  Lobitos is at the end of the water supply pipeline and needs to utilize every drop to it’s fullest potential.   Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the design and implementation of potable water systems using permaculture approaches including greywater.

Composting / Gardening:  Once a greywater system is established, gardening can begin.   Gardens can be established as a micro-business or as a means to provide healthy food to Lobiteños at a low cost. Caring for and respecting the environment starts at home.

Solar: With roughly 300 days of sunshine each year in Lobitos, the sun is an energy source waiting to be tapped.  In partnership with the Green Go Solar project, trips are available to learn and install small-scale solar installations in Peru and Mexico.

Establishment of a Marine Protected Area in Northern Peru:   WAVES is working with several stakeholders in the establishment of a Marine Protected Area.   This project is not ready for group participation but will be soon, stay tuned.

Recycling:  Recycling is almost non-existent in rural Peru.  We are looking for groups to create innovative and profitable ideas to drive recycling efforts.