Sustainable Fuel Consulting Project

Before I started PEV I had a limited idea on what I would actually be doing for the month. I assumed I would be out selling stoves 24/7. Instead I got to attend a meeting at the UN Office to deliver a business summary I had written for a potential partnership with the UNDP. I never thought that this is something I would achieve at the age of 19 and cannot wait to see how the next team can grow our fuel project. Before this month, I thought sustainability meant being environmentally friendly, but now I see it as ensuring that the positive social impact that we want to have and do have in local communities is maintained long after we leave country.

Being in country has taught me that the most effective social impact is a self-sustainable social impact. If we can leave country at the end of February knowing that our projects are still benefiting the Timorese community and can be picked up where they left off in July, then we know we have made a sustainable social impact.

Not only was it a great opportunity for my own professional development, it was also incredibly fun. Every day we were pushed to work outside of our comfort zones, waking up at 0530 to go on runs every morning and getting to go out and explore Dili during the day. On the weekends we had the opportunity to travel to an island and go four wheel driving to waterfalls. This internship enabled me to develop so much personally and professionally in an incredibly supportive environment.