제5차 가족캠프 외국인 참가자 참가기

7차례 행해지는 가족캠프(곰세마리네)에 브룬디가 고향인 멜키아드가 참가하였습니다. 아래와 같이 좋은 참가기를 주셨습니다. 기후변화에너지대안센터와는 각별한 인연을 맺고 있습니다. 40개국이 넘는 외국인 그룹이 부산에서 얼마전 환경과 기후변화를 함께 생각하며 실천적 대안을 마련하고자 GGS(Global Green Stewards:지구환경지킴이단) 을 결성하였죠. 결성하기까지 기후변화에너지대안센터와 기후변화와 에너지문제에 대해 많은 학습(매주 실시)과 공동행동을 하였습니다. '잊지못할 추억이었으며, 본국에 돌아가면 자전거발전기를 돌리겠다'는 멜키아드의 글이 참으로 인상적입니다.

My experience from Energy Family Camp

By Melchiade (from Burundi)

As potential member of Global Green Stewards ( GGS ), I was cordially invited to attend this Energy Family Camp on October 8-9^th , 2011. I was so excited to be part of this family which strives day by day to make this world a sustainable, reliable and enjoyable living space.

My first impression was the liveliness which was reigning in the bus on the way to the energy family camping place. All of us GGS members were just sitting right at the back seat of the huge bus and we were able to visualize and have fun of everything going on in the bus. The language was not a situation that requires a solution. I was able to catch up with what was going on within the bus. After a brief introduction about the camp, it was time for the GGS members to introduce themselves to the rest of the bus tenants. Here is my turn to introduce and surprisingly not even one person boarding the bus knows about my country and I started telling them briefly about Burundi and its location on the planet.

The arrival to the camping site made me feel ready for anything. The first lecture opened my mind up to realize that my expectation to this camp is going to bet met soon. Right after, we visited the giant Solar Hybrid Electric Vehicle. From here I started to see the real things. This was like wow, now I ‘m in an energy camp! The place surrounding the solar hybrid electric vehicle parking lot was amazing with many solar panels on each building. Around that place, one could smell the energy. I felt so much privileged to have a little tour with the amazing sola hybrid electric car with a very kind and loving driver who was joyfully willing to make sure everyone has been in.

It is not easy to write down every single thing I experienced but let me just point out the main things I will never forget in my life from that Energy Family Camp. People were so amazing, lovely, courageous and ready to make me feel like a real energy activist. The restriction to using energy during the camp was so difficult to maintain but I enjoyed it because I was in the spirit of energy preservation. For instance, we were not allowed to use the normal electricity. We had to create our own energy by ridding the bicycle which was made for energy alternative. I wish I could have that energy bicycle in my home back in my country. The Solar cooker was one of the impressive things I have ever seen.

I tried to look at it carefully to get to understand how it functions by accumulating the solar energy but I almost failed to grasp it well. I was stirred up cooking eggs and tried to taste every single food which was being cooked on that frying pan. I cannot miss to mention the decorative entertaining evening that we spent right after a very delicious dinner. I enjoyed the creativity and all genre of performance involving energy preservation of different family groups. The next morning of Sunday was so refreshing; we had to wake up very early-morning to go to experience the sunrise and especially visit wetland area.

It is a beautiful place with full of beautiful ecosystems. Sunday, a day where I’m committed and resolved to go to church for worship, could not grant me any liberty to enjoy the fullness of the Energy Family Camp. However, I can declare with loud voice that all my expectations from the camp were fully met. I wish to convey my acknowledgement to the organizers and initiators of this camp for the inspiration, insights and wisdom that I obtained from this Camp.

-          Melchiade