We caught up with Dan Skehan from AYAD Intake 21 (despite his busy schedule) to find out more about his assignment, life in the Philippines, and being an AYAD Volunteer.

Q:You’ve been in the Philippines for almost a year now. What have been your best AYAD memories in the country so far?
Dan: Best memories have to be working with my counterparts and the farmers in Negros Oriental. They all have a real thirst for learning which is quite refreshing. Also, I have been surprised by the quality of friendships I have developed with Dumaguete locals, AYADs and other volunteers.

Q: Did you ever feel homesick during your assignment? How did you deal with that?
Dan: Not really. Sure I miss family and friends but with skype and email – they are never too far away.

Q: Tell us about your assignment with Pagbag-O.
Dan: I am writing a sustainable agriculture manual and using it to then train farmers. We are also looking into the alternative marketing of sustainable and organic produce. All is going well and on schedule to complete all tasks (plus others!).

Dan is all smiles with his Pagbag-O family.

Q: What is the biggest challenge in your assignment? How do you respond to that?
Dan: The biggest challenge is probably trying to complete all tasks as assigned within 12 months. My colleagues have been working for my NGO for up to 22 years – so coming in for just 12 months getting your head around the NGO and delivering good outcomes does require some attention to detail.

Q: What do you do in your spare time in Dumaguete?
Dan: There is heaps to do around the place, be it snorkelling, diving, visiting waterfalls, visiting other islands etc. In the Visayas there is lots of outdoor activities to keep you entertained.

Q: What’s your favorite local dish?
Dan: Probably a dish called Kinilaw. It’s a raw fish dish, with lots of spices and very healthy. Lamit Kaayo!

Q: What are your top 5 Philippine destinations?
Dan: Good question. I'm a bit Visayas-biased, but my favorites include: Siquijor, Bohol, Apo Island, Mt. Pinatubo (2 hours from Manila) and Sagada (12 hours north of Manila). Rather than just the destination, I have come to love the process of travelling with other volunteers – as that’s half the fun!

Q: Are there any differences between the Dan back in Australia and the Dan here in the Philippines?
Dan: I don’t think so. When my sister came over, she said I had not changed a bit. We will see when I return to Australia though!

Q: Do you have plans of coming back to the Philippines after your assignment?
Dan: I am currently planning to do volunteer as a VIDA starting in July. I like my NGO and have made some great friendships, so I can see myself helping out in the future.

Q: Any message for the next generation AYADs?
Dan: Simply, I think the AYAD experience is a great one. It's a wonderful introduction to development work and the support you receive from the AYAD team is great. So I encourage anyone remotely interested to have a close look at becoming an AYAD as it’s a great eye opener. It’s a great opportunity to make a small contribution and to grow as an individual.