by Adetoun Mustapha

09 February 2009

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Under the Shell Project Better World corporate volunteering programme in cooperation with UNV, I served as an energy efficiency consultant to an environmental NGO in Bishkek – the Civic Environmental Foundation (UNISON) – during December 2008.

Kyrgyzstan is experiencing energy challenges ranging from inadequate supply to unavailability of infrastructure to handle increasing demand, especially in rural areas. High energy losses are also recorded, with most buildings losing up to 60 percent of their heat during winter due to inadequate technologies.

Energy efficiency programmes therefore help 'seal leaks and holes', and combining this with the development of renewable energy sources will boost energy supply in Kyrgyzstan.

UNISON provides consultancy services to Government and regional authorities in Kyrgyzstan, and in cooperation with international donor organizations has successfully implemented several projects focusing on energy issues.

I am from Nigeria and I have been working for Shell in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria for 15 years. My experience includes: health, safety and environmental management in upstream operations; organizational change management; business planning; and economics.

On my first day, after an induction and security briefing at UN House in Bishkek, I was taken to UNISON where I met a team of five professional Kyrgyz staff and two enthusiastic university interns from Europe, who unequivocally stated work areas that required my input. Based on this, we refined my mission objectives to cover my other professional capabilities besides energy efficiency.

The work in the office was well organized and the IT system was similar to what I was used to in Nigeria. I was warmly welcomed and this helped me to connect easily with the team.

It was a period of training on energy efficiency, project management and time management; and also writing project and funding proposals as well as coaching the UNISON team on the use of IT tools. I also had a lively discussion on climate change with students from the American University in Kyrgyzstan who visited UNISON. They were encouraged to support sustainable developments through volunteering as ‘ambassadors for change’ to save the planet.

To review the organizational strategy, current realities and how to achieve future aspirations, I designed and facilitated a team 'away day'. At the away day, we reviewed UNISON's organizational goals and performance; carried out a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats); brainstormed UNISON's critical success factors; and identified future focus areas.

I also facilitated post-implementation reviews of two recently completed projects. One was the building of a new energy efficient medical facility in a rural community that frequently suffers power outages. The medical facility is installed with photovoltaic collectors and thermal solar water collectors. This helps store energy so the facility can keep running as well as have clean water and heat during winter.

The other project involved the provision of sustainable toilets as part of a school eco-sanitation project. The reviews offered insights on how winning the hearts and minds of locals could positively impact community project costs and schedules. We also discussed assessing the economic value of environmental programmes through economic impact and cost-effectiveness analyses.

To facilitate funding and partnerships for UNISON’s growth, I initiated the development of a database for potential funding and professional resources on energy efficiency applicable to Central Asia. I also developed a client feedback questionnaire and conducted an employee motivation survey to clarify what is required to attract and retain employees.

I developed a framework for business performance management and prepared the UNISON 2009 key performance indicators. I also prepared a template for employee tasks and targets to promote accountability. Based on this, team members prepared their 2009 work targets.  

The camaraderie at the UNISON office was commendable and we regularly shared naan (traditional round flat bread) and tea! But I missed a field trip, as the weather conditions were not favourable.

The locals are generally warm people and often approached me to practice the English language or take photographs. My inability to speak Kyrgyz or Russian was a challenge, though I managed through communicating with non-verbal means to get by outside the office.

'White Christmas' was also fun. A huge Christmas tree was displayed at the 'Ala-Too' square - the main city square - while Santa Clauses dressed in blue and white entertained tourists. I also enjoyed the nativity play and rendition of Christmas carols in the Kyrgyz and Russian languages at a church service. A variety of traditional Kyrgyz cuisine, especially plov, and traditional Kyrgyz music were delightful.

I learnt how a small team could make a big impact through focus, cost-consciousness and resilience as well as seeking and getting the right help. I feel fulfilled by this opportunity to ’train-the-trainers’ to evolve sustainably developed communities in a globalized economy towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

The Kyrgyzstan mission was my first experience as a volunteer in a different culture and an experience I would like to repeat again.

Bol'shoe spasibo (thank you very much) to UNV, Shell Project Better World, UNISON and Shell Nigeria Management for the opportunity and supporting my efforts to impact the world positively. I appreciate all the people I met through this mission and my family and friends who kept in touch while I was in Kyrgyzstan.