ECHO

What a beautiful place from the inside out. Volunteers putting their time and efforts toward bettering the lives of other humans, is what life is about. At echo there was a general understanding that we all are here apart of one human family, and that there are no strangers. I often think initially that just because I don’t know someone that I am not connected to them, the truth is we are all one; we can be strangers or accept that we are humans, regardless.

At echo they provide appropriate technology- using what some has and making what someone needs. What a great idea; it gives hope being able to change an object into an instrument. I think about the concept of appropriate technology and its implications are enormous without barriers. They are providing an alternative to what they think they have, with what they actually can use.

The Neem tree provides an example to this idea, to me it was a large tree, I didn’t think of much else. I didn’t know of any particular use that could come from this tree. Come to learn that it is known as a pharmacy tree and can provide so many benefits to people that have these trees in there communities. Locals near these trees may have thought that it was only able to provide some shade on a warm day, but because of echo’s knowledge they can send the information to people that can benefit from the trees abilities. The tree can be used for an anti fungal face cream, for toothpaste, bug spray, shampoo, for dogs to get flees off, and to prevent cavities by chewing on the twigs.

All these uses right under my nose, and the people that could really benefit from the potential uses from this tree are unaware. Living in a tropical Monsoon our climate is nearly identical to the areas that echo helps, this is ideal because plants and animals that live well at echo will thrive at other locations with our climate. Echo shows that we can change people’s lives for the better. 352