Volunteer Hub
Water and Sanitation Volunteering in Peru (2025)
Organisation Details
EcoSwell
Activity type: Environment and Gardening, Fundraising, Research
Sub theme: International
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: EcoSwell is a multiple award winning non-profit located in Lobitos, the surfing paradise of northern Peru. Students who have participated in EcoSwell's volunteering programme have described their experience as life altering and transformational. The organization focuses on helping vulnerable communities in Peru develop sustainably by carrying out infrastructure projects, socio-environmental and educational initiatives, thus implementing the United Nations SDGs.
Students can choose to volunteer at EcoSwell in the following disciplines:
- Renewable Energy
- Public Health
- NGO Management
- Ecosystem restoration & reforestation
- Water and Sanitation
- Research
- Marketing and social media
Through their work EcoSwell have impacted over +35,000 people, working hand in hand with local communities, with local government, private sector entities and with some of the best universities in the world.
Students can choose to volunteer at EcoSwell in the following disciplines:
- Renewable Energy
- Public Health
- NGO Management
- Ecosystem restoration & reforestation
- Water and Sanitation
- Research
- Marketing and social media
Through their work EcoSwell have impacted over +35,000 people, working hand in hand with local communities, with local government, private sector entities and with some of the best universities in the world.
Description of role: The organization focuses on helping vulnerable communities in Peru develop sustainably by carrying out infrastructure projects, socio-environmental and educational initiatives, thus implementing the United Nations SDGs.
Water is a scarce resource in Lobitos. Many families do not have access to flushing toilets and the local sewer system collapsed many years ago, exposing open drainage points that threaten the health of the local community. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative wastewater treatment and disposal methods. As an organization we have been working to improve the sanitation conditions in Lobitos:
- In 2015 we installed a biodigester at the artisanal Fisherman's Guild, empowering the fishermen as leaders of this change. The biodigester gives the wastewater a primary treatment and allows for reuse for irrigation purposes.
- The construction of our dry toilet was completed in March 2018 which helps us to save water whilst producing fertilizer for the garden plants. This unit saves approximately 18,700 liters of freshwater per year and produces around 800 liters of organic fertilizer (compost) for our reforestation efforts. We hope to make this sanitation solution widely available to the community in Lobitos through the construction of more public toilets.
- We are implementing bio-remediation/phytoremediation techniques using special plants (vetiver, Chrysopogon zizanioides) floating hydroponically to treat wastewater spills.
- We are carrying out research into potential uses of groundwater as alternative water sources for reforestation and community use.
As a water & sanitation volunteer, you will have the opportunity to get involved in the initiatives mentioned above, working alongside the community and the EcoSwell team. The daily activities will vary depending on the progress and stage we are at with each project. This may include but is not limited to:
- Water Treatment
We are currently implementing the vetiver system (a special grass capable of water/soil treatment) to contain and remove toxicities & pathogens from wastewater spills which are prevalent in the towns of Piedritas and Lobitos. Volunteer can get involved with the research and construction of more floating hydroponic devices for vetiver (pontoons) and other water treatment initiatives and technologies like solar distillers & biodigesters.
- Dry Toilet
At the EcoSwell house, we are using our dry toilet on a daily basis. Volunteers will be required to make improvements on the current design of our dry toilet or develop & initiate the expansion of more public dry toilets in the community.
- Groundwater
Volunteers will also be able to get involved with our ongoing groundwater research for community use in Lobitos, as well as plan, design, test & implement potential applications.
BENEFITS OF JOINING THIS PROGRAM
We need hard-working volunteers with a strong interest and/or background knowledge in water management and sanitation to come and support us in these ongoing projects. The benefits of taking part in this volunteering are:
- Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience managing sustainable projects in an international development NGO, having a real positive impact on a vulnerable community.
- Work alongside experienced & passionate people from a range of disciplines & backgrounds.
- Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer.
Accommodation & Travel:
It’s easy to get to Lobitos! There are daily flights from Lima to Talara where you will be met at the airport and driven directly to Lobitos.
During your volunteer time with us, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in the EcoSwell House, including all meals (healthy) and airport pickup/dropoff. This is included in your financial contribution. Volunteer sleep in shared dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and access to a shared living room, office space, kitchen, internet connection, clean water, and a garden.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Volunteers work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays, evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. The northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches, and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:
- Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, and if you are an experienced surfer, rent one of our EcoSwell surfboards and head out to the waves by yourself.
- Yoga classes
- Swimming with turtles
- Fishing, sea-lion, and whale watching trips with local fishermen
- Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem
- Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants
- Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.
Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of your volunteering experience, they are highly accessible nonetheless.
Water is a scarce resource in Lobitos. Many families do not have access to flushing toilets and the local sewer system collapsed many years ago, exposing open drainage points that threaten the health of the local community. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative wastewater treatment and disposal methods. As an organization we have been working to improve the sanitation conditions in Lobitos:
- In 2015 we installed a biodigester at the artisanal Fisherman's Guild, empowering the fishermen as leaders of this change. The biodigester gives the wastewater a primary treatment and allows for reuse for irrigation purposes.
- The construction of our dry toilet was completed in March 2018 which helps us to save water whilst producing fertilizer for the garden plants. This unit saves approximately 18,700 liters of freshwater per year and produces around 800 liters of organic fertilizer (compost) for our reforestation efforts. We hope to make this sanitation solution widely available to the community in Lobitos through the construction of more public toilets.
- We are implementing bio-remediation/phytoremediation techniques using special plants (vetiver, Chrysopogon zizanioides) floating hydroponically to treat wastewater spills.
- We are carrying out research into potential uses of groundwater as alternative water sources for reforestation and community use.
As a water & sanitation volunteer, you will have the opportunity to get involved in the initiatives mentioned above, working alongside the community and the EcoSwell team. The daily activities will vary depending on the progress and stage we are at with each project. This may include but is not limited to:
- Water Treatment
We are currently implementing the vetiver system (a special grass capable of water/soil treatment) to contain and remove toxicities & pathogens from wastewater spills which are prevalent in the towns of Piedritas and Lobitos. Volunteer can get involved with the research and construction of more floating hydroponic devices for vetiver (pontoons) and other water treatment initiatives and technologies like solar distillers & biodigesters.
- Dry Toilet
At the EcoSwell house, we are using our dry toilet on a daily basis. Volunteers will be required to make improvements on the current design of our dry toilet or develop & initiate the expansion of more public dry toilets in the community.
- Groundwater
Volunteers will also be able to get involved with our ongoing groundwater research for community use in Lobitos, as well as plan, design, test & implement potential applications.
BENEFITS OF JOINING THIS PROGRAM
We need hard-working volunteers with a strong interest and/or background knowledge in water management and sanitation to come and support us in these ongoing projects. The benefits of taking part in this volunteering are:
- Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience managing sustainable projects in an international development NGO, having a real positive impact on a vulnerable community.
- Work alongside experienced & passionate people from a range of disciplines & backgrounds.
- Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer.
Accommodation & Travel:
It’s easy to get to Lobitos! There are daily flights from Lima to Talara where you will be met at the airport and driven directly to Lobitos.
During your volunteer time with us, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in the EcoSwell House, including all meals (healthy) and airport pickup/dropoff. This is included in your financial contribution. Volunteer sleep in shared dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and access to a shared living room, office space, kitchen, internet connection, clean water, and a garden.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Volunteers work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays, evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. The northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches, and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:
- Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, and if you are an experienced surfer, rent one of our EcoSwell surfboards and head out to the waves by yourself.
- Yoga classes
- Swimming with turtles
- Fishing, sea-lion, and whale watching trips with local fishermen
- Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem
- Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants
- Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.
Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of your volunteering experience, they are highly accessible nonetheless.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Fundraising, Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Research, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: +30 hours per week
Location:
Villa de Oficiales 270, Barrio Centro
Lobitos
51