HOw it started
Let me share with you the story of how this amazing project started. But first, you need to understand how I approach my work and what drives me.
In 2013, I had just completed my dual bachelor’s degrees in International Social Science and Political Science. One thing I always knew was that I wanted to bridge the gap between my two homes—Sweden and Mozambique. I wasn’t sure how, but I knew it would involve creating an organization that could help people, companies, and communities connect and collaborate on solutions to shared challenges.
However, before I could do any of that, I needed funding, a team, and a pilot project to get things started. I’m not the type of person who excels at writing grant applications or even knows where to find them, so I decided to take a different route.
I moved to a very rainy city called Bergen in Norway, where I could work and save money to fund our projects.
My first job after university was picking up glasses at a piano bar. Then, I landed an interview with a company called ASKO, Norway's largest grocery wholesaler. During the interview, I told the director that I was only there to work as much as I could for three months at a time, then travel to Mozambique to start our projects then come back to work more. I mentioned that I planned to do this for six years. He just smiled, probably thinking I wasn’t serious. But six years later, I reminded him of our conversation, and he smiled again.
I worked in a cooler room, driving trucks, packing, and preparing shipments, often on day and night shifts. During this time, I met other Swedes who were working temporarily and traveling the world. One day, while standing by our trucks, one of them mentioned that he was going to India to learn about natural building techniques using mud. I thought it was a fantastic idea and suggested that when he returned, we could go to Mozambique to improve the building styles in rural communities there.
A year later, he returned, and I asked him, "So, when are we going to Mozambique to start the pilot project?" He thought I was joking, but I assured him I was serious. We needed someone creative to join us, and another colleague expressed interest. Although he had never filmed or edited videos and didn’t have any equipment, I bought some gear and told him, “Now you do!”
In early 2015, they both flew down to Mozambique, my childhood friend and we started this incredible project. None of us were experts in our new roles, but it worked because we were all genuine in our intentions and had the courage to take a leap of faith and hope for the best.
In short, I believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Personally, I don’t see obstacles; I see solutions, and I LOVE finding them, especially for challenging problems. If I don’t know the solution, I try to learn through experience so I can fully understand the problem. It’s like the old saying: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Our goal is to provide people with the tools they need to find their own solutions.
Big thank you to Erik Söderman, Linus Ingermarsson & Lars Hallen for believing and being part of this project.
Photos: Linus Ingermarsson
