Wendy Garcia has been involved with Twende as the bookkeeper for over two years now, first hearing about Twende through her work as an accounting manager at Elemental Energy. Wendy grew up in The Dalles, graduated from Linfield College, lived most of her adult life in Seattle, then found her way back to Oregon. While Wendy’s position with Elemental Energy is as accounting manager, she loves learning about solar and takes every opportunity she can to learn more from her knowledgeable solar coworkers.
Wendy participated in the Portland Rescue Mission install helping to check in volunteers and organize equipment. She describes her amazement at seeing so many talented, experienced solar professionals work so eagerly and passionately. She notes as well the importance of the resident’s children watching the install unfold and come to understand the freedom that it would bring.
Wendy sees the importance of Twende in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs-meaning if people are constantly working to get their most basic needs met, they will never have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Once people achieve electrification, they can focus on improving or establishing education, healthcare, economic freedom, personal pastimes, just to name a few.
Wendy plans to continue to be involved with Twende through participation in an international install, hopefully Baja- she has family ties there! The people of Twende are Wendy’s favorite part, seeing the power of so many different dedicated people coming together to support a common cause and make beautiful things happen.
