Author: Trudy Rilling-Collins

     I first visited the Maldives in September 2012. I was so honored to work with Trudy Rilling-Collins to complete a twelve island survey of the local islands of the Baa Atoll, and even had the privilege of working with the local island community of Kihaadhoo to implement a mosquito control project. I look forward to returning to the Maldives to better understand how local communities may best learn and maintain mosquito control projects.

  In the off season from mosquito controlling, I live in Santa Cruz, California,

where I am a third year student at the University of California at Santa Cruz double majoring in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. I am currently employed by the UCSC Recreation Department as a Recreation Leader, and lead groups of students on weekend long Adventure Outings, such as backpacking, snowshoeing, kayaking, hot springing and even yoga and meditation-ing, in our beautiful state of California

  I thoroughly enjoy leading these Adventure Outings, and have completed a certificate through the National Outdoor Leadership School as a Wilderness First Responder to ensure student’s safety.

   During the summer, I maintain my preferred outdoor-woman-ness by living and working just north of South Lake Tahoe at Echo Lake, CA.

 The last five years I have worked at the Echo Lake Chalet as a licensed For Hire Boat Taxi Driver. Here, I shuttle day hikers to the trail head of Desolation Wilderness, a beautiful wilderness along the Pacific Crest Trail.

 I enjoy taking hikes after work into these beautiful wilderness areas.

My love for the Maldive Islands and the local communities is like my love for these alpine communities. While they are very different, with varying activities and beliefs, these places have communities of fascinating people who can teach me about the world. I am most exciting about returning to the Maldives to work with my group and the local people, because these programs are about sharing knowledge and collaboration, and so lends a perfect opportunity to build cross cultural relationships and bridges of understanding.

 

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

These are simple words, but as I am coming to the end of my second year at the University of California, Santa Cruz, it has come to encompass much of what I have learned and believe.

I first learned of this project in one of my Environmental Studies classes and became immediately hooked. The Maldives is a commonly discussed topic in the environmental field for both its unique marine ecosystem and its precarious, low-lying elevation. I could have only dreamed of such an opportunity to travel to the Maldives and put my education and my beliefs to real work. I am very much looking forward to learning more about the people and the culture of the Maldives. I hope to learn more about the Dengue epidemic and working with the local communities towards a healthier, disease free environment. I am also an avid soccer player, and I have heard that the sport is all the rave in the Maldives, so that is a prospect for the trip as well!

I simply cannot wait to get started, and I have nothing but positive thoughts and anticipation for what lies ahead!

 

Of all the things that I have learned in college, two main themes have emerged that motivate my thoughts and actions. First, we are faced with some major environmental and social challenges in the world today, and they are not going to go away on their own. We must confront them ourselves and we must do so in the present, not the future. Second, we are all in this together, as a community bound to this planet. We must work together with each other, and with the other species sharing the earth. With these in mind, I am inspired to make a positive difference in the world.

The Baa Atoll Mosquito Project 2013 in the Maldives is very exciting for me because it is a first step in the right direction. Dengue Fever is a health hazard to those living in the Maldives. This project recognizes this and is taking action in the present to confront it, not waiting for someone else to deal with it in the future. Additionally, the focus on collaboration with the local communities is inspiring. I am very interested in this aspect of the project. Just like with the broader problems in the world, we are all in the fight against Dengue Fever together. Community action will be key to success. Finally, the fact that the project is being done in an environmentally and ecologically responsible manner is reassuring. This will allow the disease to be managed without causing harmful side-effects. This proves that we don’t need to pay big corporations for dangerous chemicals in order to control vector-borne diseases.

The truth is, I can’t wait to get started. The Baa Atoll Mosquito Project 2013 is going to be a profound learning experience for me, and surely for everyone else involved too. With our all-star team, am confident that we will make a positive and lasting impact for the local Maldivian communities.