My name is Holly and I have spent one year working with Atoll Volunteers as a marine biologist. During that time I have seen approximately one hundred volunteers arrive in Naifaru and spend 2-4 weeks working with us.
Many volunteers did not come from scientific backgrounds so myself and the team really saw it as an opportunity to create a learning experience where they could not only take part in turtle husbandry and learn about tropical reef species, but also become more aware of global environmental issues. That message could really hit home when they saw examples of environmental problems on Naifaru and we realised we could equip volunteers with the knowledge and tools to make better, more eco-conscious choices when they returned home.
Not only do I hope we inspire many of our volunteers and many people say they will be going home with a changed attitude towards their lifestyle and hopefully make those changes when they return, they definitely inspire us too.
One particular volunteer really did change many lives whilst here and continued to do so once home. I do not think Sean Williams expected the living conditions, the food or the day-to-day tasks, however a few days in he had fully adjusted, fully embraced everything about Naifaru and even organised an uninhabited island beach clean. When he returned home he made huge changes in his everyday life that were positive for the environment. Sean’s furniture business in South Africa now does not use any single-use plastic packaging like bubble-wrap. All packaging is now paper/cardboard, recyclable and kind to the environment. He also spends time with his family making eco-bricks. Eco-bricks are plastic water bottles stuffed with plastic waste and wrapped together in fun materials, perfect for children’s chairs or foot rests. It is incredible to see how a short trip abroad inspired such positive change.
Many people have the knowledge that their actions have consequences that can negatively impact the environment, but lack the will to make those changes. To see people taking action as a result of just visiting a tiny island and meeting lots of new people is really inspiring. I personally had made small changes in my life before my trip to Naifaru like refusing single use plastics where possible and choosing a vegetarian lifestyle but after my visit I feel more urgency to make those bigger changes that I was making excuses for before.
Other volunteers have been inspired to pursuit careers in the conservation field including environmental science and environmental marketing. Many volunteers were on a career break or between jobs and to know that Atoll Volunteers was a part of their decision to follow a passion they rediscovered on Naifaru is beautiful.
I perhaps underestimated the power of communication. Spending two weeks with people discussing the state of the world’s oceans, the plastic problem, climate change and everything beyond really creates a dialogue of change. Our breakfast discussions are filled with ideas on how to help this tiny island community appropriately discard of their waste and together the team can attempt to make it happen.
If you take anything away from this blog I hope it’s the power to achieve change. Volunteer! Whether it is at your local homeless shelter or a turtle rehabilitation centre in the Maldives; there is opportunity to try something new, meet new people, have new conversations and most of all, the opportunity to make a difference.
I’d also like to say a massive thank you to every single volunteer that made my time at Atoll Volunteers special. You inspire me.
