The South Delta Probus Club will hear about one man's experiences working with an American organization offering foreign aid. The meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn, will hear about Martin Wood's experiences in Bosnia and Kosovo with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID was created in 1961 by then President John F. Kennedy and continues to work in more than 100 countries today.
The agency works in a variety of capacities, including to strengthen democracy and good governance, protect human rights, improve global health and further education. Wood spent 11 years in Bosnia and Kosovo between 1998 and 2012. A professional engineer, his work was initially related to the infrastructure rehabilitation in both countries, however in the last five years Wood worked in economic regenerations, particularly in agriculture.
His talk, Balkan Journey: A decade in South East Europe, Bosnia and Kosovo, will provide an overview of the causes and consequences of the wars that ravaged the area in the 1990s, as well as some of the aid projects funded by USAID.
Probus is a world-wide, non-profit association of active retirees. South Delta Probus offers its members the opportunity to learn from speakers on key issues while enjoying fellowship and activities that stimulate the mind and body.
The club has no attendance requirement and is just focused on informative presentations, interesting outings and having fun.
