Presentation by;

Aidan Leavy, Returned DW

Agency:
Then Agency for Personnel Services
Overseas (APSO)

Post:
Local Development Planning Advisor

Country:
Honduras, Central America

Duration:
2 years initial (stayed 1998-2002)
Pre-departure agency support

9Access to Library and Audio-visual facility

96 months between notification and departure
9Country Packs and Partner information
9Designated contact person within APSO
9Contact with partner facilitated
9Useful contact with X-DWs who worked in same region
9Efficient administration
91 week language training
93 week intensive training covering; Cross-cultural
Communications, Conflict Resolution, Stress Management,
Basics of Development, Key aspects of Capacity Building, How
to facilitate groups and Project Management.

Note: (1) A whole variety of professionals were assigned to different partner

organisations participated in training. (2) People selected for 2 year contracts
were already deemed to have a host of skills.
In placement support mechanisms
that worked well

9 August 1998:

9Two month in-country training: Language, Cultural adaptation, project

. management.
9Placed with a local family that requested DWs.
9 Assignment to partner organisations but…
VDDSK VKSVKV SKV SKDV SDV
Hurricane Mitch became the joint fourth
strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. A
central pressure of 905 mb was measured along
with sustained wind speeds averaged over one
minute of 155 knots (180 mph).

Due to its slow motion from October 29 to

November 3, Hurricane Mitch dropped historic
amounts of rainfall in Honduras and Nicaragua,
with unofficial reports of up to 75 inches
(1900 mm).

The human cost of Hurricane Mitch was

enormous. It will probably never be known
exactly how many died. As of 19 November
1998 estimates were as follows:-

Honduras: 7000 dead, 8300 missing

Nicaragua: 3000 dead, 2200 missing
Guatemala: 258 dead, 121 missing
El Salvador: 272 dead, 100 missing

The Cost: winds and flooding caused

extreme damage, estimated at over $6.2
billion (1998 USD, $8 billion 2008 USD).
In placement support mechanisms
that worked well
9 Two month in-country training: Language, Cultural adaptation, project
management.
9Placed with a local family that requested DWs.
9 Rapid response and team effort because of flexible, adaptable and strong
leadership with relevant experience
9 We were listened to!
9 Constant motivation through timely training for DWs and partners based on
their immediate needs.
9 Financial Support for Micro-projects channeled via APSO.
9 Promotion of Exchange of Best Practice visits between DWs and their
partners.
9 APSO Staff at the end of a phone despite being ‘up the walls’ busy. Also
active interest in ‘your situation’ - changing contexts, the joys, the frustrations,
the dangers, your career plans and importantly partners needs.
9 Strong sense of identity and solidarity amongst DWs.

9Poorer Support: Knowledge Management systems, M&E Systems.

Support received upon return home and
continued engagement upon return home.

9 Support Services from COMHLAMH

9 Very helpful Returned DW weekend
9 Advice on Finance, social security / benefits
9 Advice on careers.
9 Encouraged to do local press releases and radio shows.
9 Current Engagement
9 Signatory to the Code of Practice
9 ISI: Member of the Volunteering Options Working Group
9 ISI: Participant in Pilot Phase of the Self-Assessment of the Code of
. Practice
9 Member of DOCHAS
9 Active in the field of disability and development.
Over
to
you..