Development worker experiences

Mariana is a development worker from Argentina, currently working as a Public Policies Adviser with the Father Juan Montalvo S.J. Centre for Social Studies in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Cooperante Mariana Barrenese y las mujeres de la Coalición que se formó para la campaña de lucha por más presupuesto para educación. Mariana está sentada en el piso al lado izquierda de la foto.

Mariana Barrenese es una cooperante argentina, actualmente trabajando como Asesora en Políticas Fiscales con el Centro de Estudios Sociales Padre Juan Montalvo SJ, en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.

Viola was a development worker from Uganda who wrote this as she was near the end of her two-year placement in Malawi as a Capacity Building and Advocacy Specialist with the Civil Society Coalition for Quality Basic Education (CSCQBE). She is now doing a new placement in Somaliland.

Regina is from Zimbabwe and is currently working as HIV Media and Communication Capacity Building Adviser with Horn Youth and Development Association (HYDA) in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Marvin is a Nicaraguan development worker, currently working as an agroecology specialist with COOMUPL (Mixed Cooperative “United for Progress” Limited) in Honduras.

What is your work background?

My background is agroecology and environmental management.

Leticia  is a development worker from El Salvador. She has recently finished her placement as a HIV and AIDS Adviser and Strategy Specialist (awareness-raising, prevention and training for young people) at the Centro de Apoyo y Consejería en VIH/SIDA (HIV and AIDS Centre for Advice and Support), in Vinces, Los Ríos, Ecuador.

What is your work background?

I studied Plastic Arts but my humanistic upbringing took over and lead me to work for non-governmental organisations, those that as a  cultural approach ran projects for young people.

Cissy is from Uganda and is currently working as Women’s Rights Advocacy Adviser with NAGAAD (a women’s umbrella organisation representing Somaliland women) in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Bolivar  is a development worker from Guatemala, currently working as a Specialist in Municipal Development with the muncipalities of Jimaní, Postrer Rio and La Descubierta, in the Dominican Republic.

What is your work background?

I used to work in civil society capacity building in Guatemala. Before starting work as a development worker for Progressio I also completed an International Masters in Public Policy, Territorial Development, Governance and Integration Processes (in Italy and Spain).

Ainara is a psychosocial specialist currently working with CISAS (the Centre for Health Information and Services) in Managua, Nicaragua.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a communicator – I love meeting and talking to different people in order to continue to learn about my surroundings  through contact with people.

What has made the biggest impact on you?

I am struck by the work ethic of people with HIV. Promoting organisations set up by those affected by HIV and working to strengthen this fighting spirit so that they can improve their own situation.

John Bayron is a development worker from Colombia who currently works as a development worker on Gender Strategies for the Prevention of HIV, with the organization CONTRASIDA in El Salvador.