Student Kealan Branellec shows how engaging and exciting placement in Peru can be

During the last year of his undergraduate program, Kealan Branellec, a graduate of the International Development Program at the University of Waterloo (Class of 2020), worked as an Environmental Officer for the Non-Governmental (NGO) Horizonte Corporativo in Ica, Peru, through the Uniterra program. He was responsible for helping the organization promote organic agriculture, restore native plants, and the conservation of biodiversity, which is the variety of life in a particular ecosystem, in communities and schools within the region.

Following his arrival in Ica, he got a first-hand look at the impacts of the exploitation of groundwater sources by large agricultural corporations and the increasingly evident impacts of climate change. He became more aware of other complex issues within the region surrounding malnutrition and the lack of accountability in municipal governance, and waste management systems. Kealan accepted the challenges of his first experience in development practice and was ready to take up his mandate enthusiastically.

Kealan supported the NGO’s efforts to reforest barren areas in schools and delivered workshops on biodiversity conservation and organic agriculture. Through these experiences and continuous learning, he became more familiar with agroecology principles that

value collective action and cooperation in agricultural systems.

His work experience in Peru permitted him to appreciate the numerous benefits of agroecology that he had previously studied at the university and develop professional and cross-cultural skills to thrive in the workforce. Kealan is now pursuing a master’s degree in social and ecological sustainability at Waterloo. He is continuing to pursue his ambitions in agroecology, biodiversity conservation, and community development in rural areas of tropical regions.

Learn more about SEED’s International Development program.