A 3-month placement working with a small NGO, to carry out surveys, assessments and then make recommendations on social projects in rural communities in El Salvador, specifically improved cooking stoves.

What work will I be doing?

Volunteers will carry out assessments of a number of communities to evaluate the impact of 3 cooking stove designs provided in the past. These will be presented as a report and presentation to REDES, together with recommendations on the introduction of ‘Rocket stoves’ to these communities, and possible improvements to the design of the ‘Rocket stove’.

It is hoped that the information provided will help REDES assess the success of past projects as well as inform future projects within the communities, and evaluate their approach in implementing the projects.

Who will I be working for?

REDES was founded in 1989 with the aim of facilitating the return and rehabilitation of Salvadorans displaced by the armed conflict of the 80´s and 90´s. Since then it has gone on to expand its work throughout the country, playing a key role after the major earthquake in 2001 to work with communities to redevelop after the disaster.

The mission of the organisation is to generate the capacity for self-sufficiency and human development by encouraging beneficiary participation, facilitating processes and technology and nurturing skills. The Infrastructure department which volunteers will be working with provides poor communities with good housing and sanitation. It also builds public buildings, such as clinics, for communities.

REDES has received EWB-UK volunteers for a number of years, and also facilitates yearly voluntary construction projects with Imperial College, London. For more information http://www.redes.org/

What skills or experience do I need?

Required:

• University undergraduate or graduate
• Fluency in Spanish (essential)

Desired:

• Experience of working and communicating with other cultures
• Time spent living abroad (preferably in a developing country)
• Some knowledge of basic concepts of heat transfer applicable to stove design
• Some knowledge of information collation process
• Experience of community participation practices