My name is Michael Mazotti and I am currently a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Perú. I took classes at SEI in 2011 and received an International and Developing World Applications Certificate through SEI’s Solar Professionals Certificate Program. Working with renewable energy as side projects during my service has kept me excited and well active during my 2 years of service. I have been the leading solar power expert in Peace Corps Perú and have installed various systems, taught at workshops, and have been a major source of information for other volunteers and organizations.
Schools that had no electricity now have security lights, families with no electricity that had to bale water out of a 10 meter well now have a pump and a water tank, a once failing reforestation project is now a success story because of a solar powered pump, a security station now comfortably houses police officers through the night as they protect a historical sanctuary, a couple hundred people including volunteers, teachers, park guards, school children, and police officers now know the benefits and possibilities of solar power, as well as a handful of people that have been installing systems poorly now have a better grasp of how to properly install a system, all because of the skills and information I learned from SEI.
I work with limited resources and lack of money is always an issue, but the challenge is always welcoming. I have earned trust and accomplished much because of the professional attitude and confidence I gained from attending SEI.
Just a quick example of how SEI gave me the confidence to step up: During my first installation, I was working with a private contractor at Historical Sanctuary. The park guards there and another organization (Eco Tourismo) wanted to install solar pump. I was new, hardly spoke spanish, and my opinion did not matter much to them. I kept in my place until I saw the private contractor wiring the panels wrong. I stepped up with little spanish I had explained he is going to get the wrong desired output. He was confident though and dismissed my voice, so told him to finish the wiring and then I will verify with my multimeter.
To the shock of everybody, I was right. Since then, the park guards at the historical sanctuary and eco tourismo call me first to see if I can help them with an installation. I just wanted you guys to know how far your influence reaches as well as the lives and projects your teachings help. Thanks for the great education.
