Erika

Finland
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
I'm a graduate of architecture and civil engineering specializing in sustainable building and humanitarian and development aid. I finished my master's studies in June 2016, and after this I left home to travel for an unspecified period of time. During this journey I wanted to learn more about sustainability and see how I could use my skills to promote sustainable development. In particular I wanted to learn through practical work where I could share knowledge with the locals. This is why I signed up on Workaway and I used the platform a lot in Central America, Middle East and West Africa between 2016 and 2018.

In 2018 I then found a longer volunteer opportunity in a small village in Gambia, where I spent a year leading a workshop to design and build a dormitory for a new rural vocational school together with a team of locals and international volunteers, using earth and other local materials. After this I found a job in Tanzania with a small architectural NGO that promotes the use of sustainable building techniques in Tanzania (especially compressed earth blocks). I spent two years managing various construction projects in Tanzania and finally finished my contract in in July 2021. Now I'm working as a construction manager for Medecins Sans Frontieres.

I'm more than interested in helping in any project where I can use my skills as an architect or engineer. Even though I know the most about buildings, I'm very interested in taking part in any project that is somehow trying to make this world more sustainable. I'm particularly interested in projects that somehow benefit the local community.

I also have a blog where I have documented the various projects volunteered in or worked with or visited while traveling. Feel free to check it out to get a better picture of my interests and experiences: http://www.fieldstudyoftheworld.com/
Interests
Writing
Photography
Sustainability
Languages
Hiking
Books
Architecture
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Finnish: Fluent
Swedish: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Art Projects
Helping around the house
More details about your skills
I'm an architect and can help with buildings designs. I also have practical experience with construction work, especially different earth building techniques, including adobe bricks, rammed earth, wattle and daub, cob and rammed earth tires. In 2018 I led an earth building workshop in Gambia where we built a Nubian vault, a type of roof that requires no wood, cement or steel, only mud bricks.

I have also volunteered a lot with gardening and tree-planting in various permaculture and agroforestry projects.

I've also studied social aspects of sustainability and have experience working with locals in participatory projects. In fact, working with disadvantaged people is what I am most interested in doing, and I see sustainable building as a tool for improving lives.
Age
35
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

Feedback

2 Jul 2017

Left by host (Agroecology/Permaculture Farm ...) for Workawayer (Erika)

It was great hosting Erika for a couple weeks here in El Salvador. She was a great house companion and eager worker, and we appreciated all of her knowledge related to natural building from her vast array of experience travelling the world. Highly recommended!

(Excellent )

2 Jul 2017

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Agroecology/Permaculture Farm ...)

I had a great time staying with Tobias and Yasmin on their farm. They are both friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable people and I learned a lot during my stay. The location is beautiful and it was interesting to see how cob houses and tourism can be a way improve lives in the village. Thanks for everything and good luck with the project!

(Excellent )

9 Dec 2016

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Building an eco-center near ...)

I stayed here for a 2.5 weeks helping with the construction of a rammed earth cabin, and I definitely enjoyed my stay. As an architect I learned a lot and I enjoyed discussing the technique and sharing ideas. Because it was so interesting, it was easy to get involved in the project and end up working extra hours, but Harri and Eva were clear about… read more

(Excellent )

10 Oct 2016

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Dry Fish Farm, a Sustainable ...)

I stayed with Kenzi and Jake for a week and it was interesting to see how they live and to hear how they hope the place will be in the future. Building the new house was the main project but I also got to help with other tasks which added some nice variety. The surrounding community and the way people helped each other with their projects was also… read more

(Very good )

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Photos

A compressed earth block house I designed in Tanzania

A school dining room wall built out of reused classroom windows for a school rennovation project I managed in Tanzania

An almost finished mud brick school dormitory in Gambia. I designed the building and led the construction of it, working together with locals and international volunteers.

Me working on the construction of a project I designed and led in Gambia.

Small shelter in Gambia with a Nubian vault roof built with mud bricks and without any cement, steel or wood. I designed the shelter and led the construction of it.

Clay oven I designed and built during a Workaway in Senegal

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Me building a stone and mud foundation and floor for a clay oven during a Workaway in Senegal

A bicycle rack out of recycled pallets that I helped design and build during a Workaway in Jordan

Rammed earth construction at a Workaway in Mexico

Bamboo and earth cabin I designed during a Workaway in Mexico

Me helping out at a community garden at Standing Rock Reservation in the US

Making foundations for a university project in Kenya

Feedback

2 Jul 2017

Left by host (Agroecology/Permaculture Farm ...) for Workawayer (Erika)

(Excellent )

2 Jul 2017

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Agroecology/Permaculture Farm ...)

(Excellent )

9 Dec 2016

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Building an eco-center near ...)

(Excellent )

10 Oct 2016

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Dry Fish Farm, a Sustainable ...)

(Very good )

10 Oct 2016

Left by Workawayer (Erika) for host (Help our Holistic and ...)

I had a great time staying with Ale and Pepe. The work we did varied from day to day which gave a chance to see different parts of the daily life here. It was also interesting to hear about different sustainable technologies they are using and to hear about their future plans for the place. There was also plenty of time to relax and enjoy the… read more

(Excellent )

26 Sep 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Erika)

Erika its such a nice person she has very good ideas in eco construction she made a beautiful design for a new cabin wish we are very happy to build in the nex month thanks Erika for sharing your knowledge.

(Excellent )

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