Laura Livesay is a current Master’s International student serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal at a new site with a population of 40,000 inhabitants. A Small Enterprise Development Agent, Laura recently completed her first project as facilitator for a “green space” project at the local middle school. Her current projects are as follows: working in collaboration with other Peace Corps Volunteers to bring computers to Senegal; starting a garden with a women’s group; teaching English; mural painting; working with other Peace Corps Volunteers in the region to host a Girl’s Leadership Camp; and teaching information technology classes at the local high school. Laura aspires to work on a waste management solution for the city and with the local “Eaux et Forets” (governmental organization) to help with reforestation efforts. Prior to coming to Illinois State, Laura received her B.S. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
"; SidebarFinancial[1]="As a graduate student in Applied Economics at Illinois State University, David Lee Johnson analyzed data to determine how to improve entrepreneurial training in developing countries. He is now living in an isolated Panamanian village working with the same micro-businesses which, only months earlier, represented singled datum within sets of millions of numbers. “When studying economics, it can be easy to forget that each number, figure or data point represents a person or their actions. At the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development, I learned to challenge this disillusion by directly applying my skills on the ground level to those individuals who need them most,” Johnson said. The “ground level” where Johnson works as a Peace Corps Community Economic Development Volunteer is an impoverished village of subsistence farmers in the Panamanian mountainside. Here, he helps stimulate economic opportunities for a community that has previously been secluded from the modernized world. Designing accounting systems for illiterate entrepreneurs, aiding artisans in the marketing of their handicrafts, and soliciting funding for the construction of a bakery are examples of the diversity of work Johnson conducts in Panama. All of this is done within a new culture and through a second language. When Johnson completes his service in 2012 he would like to continue working in international development by shaping laws that affect the world’s marginalized populations. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration at Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
"; SidebarFinancial[2]="Sasha Miranda is currently a community economic development volunteer, living and serving in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps. Sasha has been working with a community organization called Amor, Union, Fe y Esperanza (AUFE). This organization was founded by Haitian immigrants who desired to improve the living conditions for both Dominicans and Haitians. AUFE has a small school program and would like to develop other community projects. Sasha is currently working on the organizational infrastructure. Since Sasha’s arrival, the group has resolved a large debt, held various community events, acquired four permanent teachers for the small school, and doubled its school enrollment. In addition to her work with AUFE, Sasha has begun a women’s group called Mujeres Trabajadoras Unidas, the united working women. This group is currently focused on business topics including money management, income generation, and basic accounting. This women’s group has also provided an opportunity to reach out to women on topics such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, general health and diet, and literacy. Sasha received her B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
"; SidebarFinancial[3]="Nicolette Slagle has been serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer with a local government office in Thailand since the 24th of March, 2011. When she first got to site, she immediately began participating in her community's aerobic dance program. Little did she know the groups were practicing for the up-coming annual aerobic dance competition her community hosts around the Thai New Year. The group that was in her neighborhood turned out to be the winners of last year’s competition, and they were planning on winning again this year. After two performances of the group’s routine in 100+ degree weather, she learned her group won again! Unbeknownst to Nicolette, participating in the dance competition would open the door to one of the best community integration tools she has - dancing. In addition to the aerobic dance group, she was invited to become a member of the “ram Thai” dance troupe in her town. In addition to integrating into her community, Nicolette has been busy getting to know the various groups and organizations in her area, including several occupational groups: a weaving group, a Thai massage group, and an organic fertilizer group. All of these groups have received funding from the local government, and part of her work in Thailand includes helping these groups become more sustainable and self-reliant. Nicolette has been familiarizing herself with the various community development activities her government office conducts. Among these efforts are a municipal recycling program, planning and funding the various community celebrations (including the aerobic dance competition!) and an annual program to help needy families improve their housing. Nicolette has been thoroughly enjoying her service so far, and when her community members ask her to stay forever, she sometimes thinks she just may. Nicolette received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree from Penn State University.
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