PEACE CORPS, USAID, AND BEYOND - DANIEL LAVIN

Description

Daniel Lavin is an international volunteer, teaching financial literacy to cooperatives, entrepreneurs and rural farmers worldwide.  Daniel attended Castro Valley High School from 1980 to 1983, going on to earn a BA in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.  From  1988 to 1990, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, specializing in inland valley aquaculture.
 Upon his return to the United States, Daniel studied finance and small-business accounting at the local community college.  He spent the next twenty six years providing accounting services to businesses and non-profit organizations in the greater Seattle area.  During this time, he also facilitated post-war relief efforts in Sierra Leone, and coordinated micro-finance programs for recovering communities.  Soon after, Daniel was invited to provide assistance with development in Kenya and Ghana. 

 In 2021, Daniel was invited by the USAID Farmer to Farmer program to teach financial literacy in South America following the Covid epidemic.  After multiple promising assignments, Daniel was requested to teach again in South America, and additionally in Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and across the African continent.  In four years, Daniel completed 40 assignments, specializing in Strategic Business Planning, Entrepreneurial training and many other topics related to financial literacy.

 In January 2025, the current administration defunded USAID, ending the Farmer to Farmer program.  Despite this obstacle, Daniel continued his efforts, funding his own international travel.  He reached out directly to field coordinators from prior assignments, rebuilding existing programs with a community-led focus.  His approach encourages students to invest in themselves; establishing their own agenda, coordinating their own logistics and providing for themselves.  

 All tickets are $10 and available at the door. For advanced purchase: cvartsfoundation.org or call 510-889-8961. Wheelchair accessible.  Free parking.