I was originally excited for this ASB trip because it was an opportunity for me to learn about a specific electrical engineering practice relating to solar energy. It was also an opportunity to serve a community. But this Solar Spring Break trip developed into so much more than a service trip. It was an eye-opener and a journey.
Prior to leaving for California, our teammates barely knew each other. By the end of the trip however, we had become a family. There were many things about the trip that bonded us together. We endured hardship, laughed in the van and on the beach, shared meals, played games, and exchanged heartfelt emotions.
The beginning of the trip was marred by an unfortunate event in which some belongings got stolen. We were dismayed at the time but we bounced back. We told ourselves we were not going to let our trip be overshadowed by this. It was unfortunate some members had items stolen but, if anything, the experience taught me an important lesson. Many of us are fortunate enough to able to afford things such as smart phones, laptops, and trips across the country. I am grateful I do not struggle to pay for food every week. My takeaway from day one was that I was not going to be sad I lost a laptop. I was overjoyed I am lucky enough to fly across the country to help people during my spring break.
Once we pulled into GRID Alternatives Central Coast office, the week was off to the races! Even though we were volunteers, I appreciated how GRID went out of their way to make us feel like part of the company. They allowed us to experience all the positions – all the moving parts – required to complete an install project. It began when we applied ourselves to be GRID outreach ambassadors. This day changed my perspective on many things. I gained a new respect for people who work every day in the community – for people who talk face-to-face with families. I realized how important it is for them to know how the community feels, the hardships they face, and how to relate. As we knocked on doors in the Santa Maria community, I observed the daily life of these families. Many of them relied on their children to prepare dinner or siblings to care for each other. In all cases, they had to work hard to help the family.
I was glad we also got to work alongside One Cool Earth because it showed me a different way to give back to the community. I cherish ways in which I can serve students and I fully support One Cool Earth’s mission of nurturing growth. Their work reminded me of the many ways you can diversify community service.
Our solar system install was memorable in two ways. As an ECE major, I was a kid in a candy store. I learned an incredible amount about solar panels, electrical wiring, and construction thanks to the GRID experts. I hope to apply it later in life, whether for classes or for future renewable energy work. The second reason the install was memorable was because we got to meet the two families for whom the systems were built. They were wonderful families with three generations among them. We all appreciated meeting the homeowners because specifically knowing how the solar arrays were going to help the families incentivized our work in a personal way. Our group was especially impacted when one GRID supervisor recounted the many struggles of local families. She told us about families who struggle to pay for groceries, families whose children are forced into gangs, and families who cannot afford a decent education. The work GRID does for these families is often enough to break these cycles and push them in a better direction. After we finished both installs, we were debriefed on the environmental impact each system has. In case you are wondering, it is enormous. When you consider the beneficial impact the system has on the environment along with the financial impact it has on the family, the effect is nothing short of extraordinary.
The impact of our work was not lost on us because every night we participated in team reflection. This time was special because we discussed the importance of our work and how it compares across cultures. These discussions were pivotal in transforming us from teammates into a family. The intimacy created in our group is unparalleled to any other experience. To share this bond with eleven other people as we did incredible service is why I highly recommend the Solar Spring Break trip to anyone who is interested.