Sustainability & Communities in Mexico

It's taken me a while to process what happened to me in Campeche and on the Usamacinta river, hence this unpunctual review. I volunteered with Ninth Wave just after joining a consultancy in London focused on the built environment; I wanted to get to the lowest levels of how the built environment, conservation and community led planning work in other parts of the world, starting with Mexico.

After a thousand sweeps of the paddle we moored for lunch - I found the turtle shell by a tree stump and put it in my bag, for reasons unknown. This turtle shell is on my desk today and, counterintuitively, it reminds me not of fallen reptiles but of the coconut shells we were all handed by Jon and Amy after a workshop. We proceeded to eat from the shells for the entirety of my stay with Ninth Wave. Simple things, simple outcomes. Constant reminders, constant action.

After a thousand more sweeps of the paddle, we'd seen not just one kingfisher but thirty. Where I'm from, the kingfisher is an elusive, almost otherworldly sight in the same cadre as ghosts or snow leopards. But on the Usamacinta, this crown prince of birds becomes run of the mill. In my then consultancy practice, this constantly reminded me of how what we deem to be elusive is often localised. Drilling down and talking to the people (not the boots) on the ground is the only way to filter the elusive from the obvious.

I confess: I'm not the greatest orator in any language - but especially not in Spanish. But an evening (after I'd stopped counting sweeps of the paddle) eating, jesting and listening to a man play guitar while a fire roared (lit by a Tiger) on the riverbank was the closest thing I've felt to unconditional inclusivity. This seems to be a hallmark of Ninth Wave.

I could wax around and about the individual indigenous communities we all helped, the side quests, the dogs, the cats, the ambulance service in Frontera Corozal and the spectre, then surprising joy, of lashing together canoes and paddling in pitch darkness. But I suspect that you’ll find out about those yourself. What I will wax about is a mantra that Amy said to us during an introductory sustainability workshop: “Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything”.

Eventually, these eight words led away from the master planned built environment to focus on smaller, localised projects that champion filtering the elusive from the obvious. As it turns out, all it takes is effort, time and a man playing the guitar. What it does not take is masterplans, decks and circling back. Having said that, I really hope I can circle back to Campeche at some time soon.

I first encountered Ninth Wave back in 2017 and journeyed with them in Mexico on the Usumacinta river as well as spending time in Campeche where they are based from. Not only are Jon and his amazing team pioneering truly sustainable approaches in development but the Ninth Wave ethos is powerful and deeply human. They work across a broad range of sectors, remote medical work, sustainable development, tourism, learning Spanish, so there are many fantastic opportunities to learn and get involved in the area that interests you or even just help in anything you can. The programs are run across Latin America and sometimes further afield always with an ethos which is humble, inquisitive and promoting help by listening, a refreshing approach but nontheless effective. I cannot recommend Ninth wave enough, there are so many opportunities and if you really want to learn about a place and connect with people this is how to do it. In an time of overabundant travel opportunities and 'experiences for sale' Ninth wave is unique, genuine and you will wish you had met Jon earlier.

Ninth wave were recommended to me by a friend who had volunteered with them and really enjoyed her stay. My two month stay with them from January to March this year was better than I could have imagined and I find myself back here again, like many of the volunteers who, like me, have found a project they feel they can get on board with. This is down to the leaders of the project, Jon and Amy a husband a wife team and the wonderful people they have working with them in the office, the campanario (the site for organic growing and composting) and in the community. This is a project which is highly motivating and gives responsibility to anybody who wants to take it. Campeche and the nature is obviously incredibly wild and beautiful too. You’ll have lots of free time to spend after mornings working hard, it’s a dream! wonderful vegetarian lunches included too!

I did a short but intense placement with Ninth Wave in December 2018, with my main focus being on Bat Research in Calakmul Jungle. The work these guys do is hugely inspirational. Ninth Wave consists of just a small team of massively dedicated individuals who really are making a big impact across the town. They've inspired and encouraged individuals from all over to recycle and reuse and find plastic-free alternatives in a country where sustainability isn't a priority. The amount of work these guys take on is admirable and I couldn't recommend enough a placement with them. They put in a lot of effort to make you feel at home and like an important component within the organisation. They fully support you utilising your own skills and developing interests you find along the way. I learnt so much that I never expected to learn; skills and general life lessons. You also get to experience an authentic side of mexico, and additionally how a small not-for-profit runs. You live in a traditional Mexican house in the centre of town and form strong relationships with the locals that have become an intrinsic part of Ninth Wave and it's philosophy.