Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Arthur Dacanay can be contacted at jdacanayagmaildcom
Country of Service: Honduras
Training Group: East IV
Cities you served in: Talanga
Arrival Year: 1999
Departure Year: 2003
Work Description:
Youth Development projects - Formed Youth Leadership Group in host community to train youth leaders with projects enhancing Self-Esteem, communication skills, STDs (HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention), drug and alcohol theater cultural presentations, and community clean-up days; Child Survival HIV/AIDS Education - working with Mid-wives, community health workers, as well as well as community members with potential higher risk for HIV/AIDS, Project Management for Peace Corps Partnership Project (Private-Sector Initiatives), procured US$9,000 donation from U.S. private sector corporation to assist in financing physical education/ cultural event court/stage project in collaboration with the municipal government of Talanga. Total project budget was US$14,000.
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
Attended School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, received my MA in International Relations/ International Economics focusing in Latin American regional focus and Emerging Markets economics. I was an Intern at the consulting firm Public Strategies, Inc. in Mexico City. I provided public policy recommendations to Secretary of Health (Mexico) as to how to promote the production of clean air, information related to illness prevention, and non-smoking campaigns. Also, I increased impact of public opinion on corporate decision making, and defined and prioritized public health goods as they relate to health care in Mexico. Moreover, I researched Mexican economy corresponding to analysis of contributing factors leading to 1982 and 1994 economic crises, and created database of research material as basis for college-level economics course. Finally, I developed strategies to promote world-wide manufacturing outsourcing in Mexico. I am interested in continuing my work in International Development; I am interested in Project Management and analysis opportunities, as well as economic analysis positions to evaluate overall effectiveness of project proposals - interested in working for USAID, Peace Corps, in these capacities.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
I really enjoyed my Peace Corps experience, working with the inhabitants on Leadership and Health projects to improve standard of living. I am especially proud of my Peace Corps Partnership Project, where I received a donation of US$9,000 from the U.S. Private Sector to help finance Physical Education Project.
Originally posted: January 8, 2006
