This is my friend Celeste Cóndor, yes, like the mighty bird. She is a Biologist and passionate for Environmental Education.
I met her last year, when I was applying to be a part of the Brigada de Fauna Silvestre (Wildlife Brigade) of INRENA, which is a volunteer program to learn and pass on the knowledge of conservation and respect for local wildlife, mostly to kids.
I was able to participate with them in a few events before I started this full time job and had to stop attending the meetings. There was a great one where I had the chance to see Celeste interact with kids and their parents and it was then when I decided I wanted to have her enthusiasm and be 'contagious' like her. If you want to see what we did that day, click here.
A few weeks ago I ran into Celeste and found out she was just beginning a small business. Her project is called Zöövenirs-Perú. 
She sells articles that are ready to use and are somehow related to fauna. She handwrites every little information card with details of a particular species.
I got a few, my cell phone now has a hummingbird hanging from it and it looks quite cool!
Anyway, I gave one of these to Diego (7 years old). He's the son of a friend from the office. He asked his mom to thank me and said he really liked reading about the crocodile I sent.
A few days later he came to the office to pick up his mom but I had already left. The next morning I found a surprise on my desk. Yes, I confess, almost made me cry...
He asked his mom for materials to make this, inspired on Celeste's work!! He wouldn't tell his mother what he was doing, he kept saying it was for 'aunt Melissa'...
GREAT!! He's the example of what we started dreaming of when we met (Celeste and Mel) at the Brigade over a year ago. It CAN happen!! We CAN make a change!! We CAN learn and teach, and help the planet and all its inhabitants in the process.
