Blog Post 1
I was originally introduced to this opportunity through a professor who had started her own fellowship with this program. She suggested that I should apply and I thought it would be a great opportunity. On the application, there was space to apply for two positions. I made a last-minute decision to apply for EcoRealm. I was shocked when I got an interview because I wasn’t sure if I could add value to the project or not. I was unsure of myself and I have no technical knowledge of plants or sensors. With all of this doubt though, I felt as if the project was a perfect fit for me. The other opportunity no longer seemed like it was the right one for me because I could see myself being so excited about EcoRealm and less excited about the other option. I have long been wanting to work to bring nature to more people. I really believe that nature heals and being able to help heal people in an otherwise stressful environment is something that is really beautiful to me. I have a lot to learn for this project but I have so many ideas and I’m so excited to grow. This course is a great opportunity to learn more about my peers, and develop my knowledge of this project. It will help me become a better asset to my team and hopefully someday really help a lot of people.
Of course, this project is more work. Of course, this course is also a lot of work. The late nights are hard but all of this is what builds character. Regardless of my major, I am sure that this is a great tool to build a work ethic. Having an extra thing to work on and really have passion for is very important. As for the development of me being a finance and earth and environmental studies student, this is a perfect spot for me to be in. My project involves both my business skills, marketing background, and also my passion, which is nature. This project is going to really have to force me to figure out how my two majors work together, and how the opposition between the two can be an asset to the group.
Case Study:
The reality of access to eyesore is that there is not a great way to encourage more optometrists to go to developing countries due to issues such as brain drain. It is also important to acknowledge that the conditions of poverty that exist within most developing countries are perpetuated by the inability to work due to vision loss. Instead of trying to get optometrists to move to developing countries or developing a new generation of optometrists (who will most likely move out for the better opportunities in other countries) the root cause of the vision loss must be examined. A quick google search will allow you to see that the main cause of vision loss in these developing countries is cataracts. Cataracts are caused by a number of things but a few include eye abrasions, poor diet, sun exposure, and unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive drinking. Each of these causes is avoidable and needs to be addressed through the dissemination of information and small changes in lifestyle.
FOOD: The lack of nutrient-rich foods and food, in general, is the cause of many health issues in these countries. Instead of working on getting them access to eye care (which is important, especially for the more severe cases), the focus should be turned more to the root cause of why their eyes are deteriorating. The general quality of life will deteriorate as health deteriorates. This lack of ability to make an income, especially without vision, only worsens the issue. My solution to this challenge would be to find a nutritious food source. Many of the healthcare issues faced in these countries are due to a lifestyle that is not conducive to health in general which perpetuates the cycle of poverty and hardship and as a result, health problems. The breaking of the cycle will come with the introduction of crops that offer more nutrition and education about food options that can replace what is available for a still low cost. Education can be provided via aid and disseminated through communities via word of mouth as access to education is also limited. Projects like the mushroom one and so many others are what will help push the food source challenge forward.
SUN EXPOSURE and EYE INJURY: Dissemination of word-of-mouth ways to protect eyes from both sun damage and damage from intense physical labor would help individuals prevent eye issues before they occur- suggesting hat-wearing or the creation of turban-like head protectors to shield the eyes a little bit more from the sun would also aid in protection from abrasions.
Focusing on the roots, such as better nutrition and preventative eye care could help to mitigate the problem before it even begins. I think that an education initiative to teach people about protecting their eyes by wearing hearts or head wraps, focusing on eating and cultivating nutritious foods, and also suggesting ways to protect your eyes while working, would be extremely beneficial to the prevention of these issues. Education does cost money, but if the information of disseminated and each town and community via word of mouth, people will have simple tools to prevent these things before they even occur.