EarthCorps’ International Corps Program has always been a keystone to the organization. In 1993, founder Dwight Wilson envisioned a place where young environmentalists from different countries could meet, exchange ideas, learn through service, and return home to implement and share what they had learned. So, with the intent to combine environmental restoration with global cooperation, Wilson founded EarthCorps as the world’s first international conservation corps.
After a two-year COVID hiatus, we welcomed six passionate and talented folks to the International Corps Program. EarthCorps’ International Corps members must have at least one year of professional experience in the environmental field – and this year’s cohort brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in environmental sustainability, protection and forestry, environmental science, and radio telemetry!
Join EarthCorps Executive Director Evlyn Andrade and members of the International Corps as they discuss their background, cross-cultural experience, and what they plan to do after EarthCorps.
Meet the Panelists
Ayomide Arowosegbe
Ayomide Arowosegbe
Ayomide is a young and passionate environmental leader from Nigeria. He is 28 years old with over 4 years of working experience in environmental sustainability and circular economy (recycling) space.
He is the founder and team lead of CLAHN (Cleaner & Healthier Nature Initiative), a youth-led organization that promotes environmental sustainability and health status across communities in Nigeria.
Ayomide also has great interests in recycling and circular Economy. He is calm, loves music, learning musical instruments, and planning and teamwork.
Gabija Savickyte
Gabija Savickyte
Surrounded by rivers and forests, Gabija grew up in Vilnius, Lithuania, and is a recent graduate of the BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership program with environmental science and social psychology major. Seeing, seeking, and fostering a connection with nature and local communities is the main inspiration for Gabi’s work!
“I am Gabija, a 22-year-old Lithuanian and outside of work, you will usually catch me enjoying nature, listening to an art-history-related podcast, or taking film photos of my friends. All completed with a scoop of pistachio ice cream on the side, of course. While I can appear quite shy, I absolutely love connecting with people, having long fireside chats, and cracking sarcastic, but always good-hearted, jokes.”
Ia Iakobashvili
Ia Iakobashvili
“I am Ia from Georgia currently studying MA in nature protection and forestry and working for Transcaucasian Trail Georgia (a transboundary hiking network in the Caucasus). It’s not hard to guess that I love spending my time in nature, mountains, and hiking, I’ve just started practicing slacklining. During covid pandemic, I bought my first camera and shooting is still one of my biggest hobbies.
The more I travel the better I realize how much I don’t know and how much I can learn from every single human-being. Therefore, I am very excited when it comes to meeting new people, trying new things, and sharing respective experiences.”
Raphael Lartey
Raphael Lartey
Raphael is a project officer with the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS). Before working with GWS, he earned a degree in Animal Biology and Conservation Science and has worked with GWS for four (4) years. He is currently working on identifying the home range of the White-necked Picathartes using radio telemetry. Raphael loves nature and enjoys discovering the wonders of the earth.
“My love for nature took root through my upbringing on the shores of Jamestown, Accra. I appreciate the inherent connection between people and nature. I believe restoration is essential to safeguarding our coexistence with nature and will only be successful through positive engagement with all communities and stakeholders. I am easy-going, honest, funny, courteous, and open-minded. I love narrating stories about my life experiences and how it has shaped me into the young man I am today.”
When he is not working, Raphael loves spending time with family and friends, watching soccer, or going birdwatching!
Shahina Aqdodova
Shahina Aqdodova
Shahina has recently received her BSc in Earth and Environmental Sciences. She is working in the field of environmental conservation in the Pamirs, a place where she was born and raised. Now she is assisting in carrying a camera trap research to identify the population of snow leopards.
“I belong to a small group of indigenous people living in the Pamirs. I have learned to value and take care of nature from my childhood, and now I work towards the preservation of the mountains I have always called home. I spend my free time either with my family or friends. I love exploring new places, having deep conversations, watching good movies, and taking photos.”
Vanessa Ndikontar
Vanessa Ndikontar
Vanessa works as a freelancer and tutor, but is an eco-entrepreneur and environmental advocate at heart. She completed a Master’s program in Integrated Coastal Management in 2018, and has since actively met and worked with resource persons in view of setting up a permaculture ecovillage. This project will bring together development, research, education, and therapy, and will usher in much-needed restoration in the wake of the civil crisis plaguing her home country Cameroon.
“Hi, I’m Vanessa. I’m 28 and still growing :). I like to learn and know a little bit about everything, and so I love books, adventure, and inventing new recipes. I’m a huge fan of all types of music, all forms of wellness, and of giving and receiving kindness. I’d like to change the world in these ways!”