Video Speaker 22nd January 2021 - Rotary Global Scholar Daniel Herres

Having been born in the USA and lived in Japan, Malawi, Syria Greece and now in London Daniel gave an inspirational talk of his life contributing to humanitarian causes, and his desire to continue developing his skills for the benefit of others.

Daniel gained his bachelor’s degree in psychology before embarking on a Masters at University of Connecticut followed by three years in Japan teaching English in various establishments whilst also gaining experience working with refugees from North Korea.

He then relocated to Hong Kong in teaching roles where his motivation was to enable young people   to broaden their perspective of world topics and human rights concerns.

Following acceptance of an application to join the US Peace Corps Daniel was posted to a small village, Kasiya, near Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. Peace Corps volunteers live within the community and he acknowledged the experience was transformational in that he was integrated within the local culture whilst promoting health behavioural change for malaria and HIV prevention, nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. 

Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic brought about the early termination of that posting and he took up an internship working in the Moria Detention Centre refugee camp – the largest refugee camp in Europe with 20000 people on the Greek island of Lesvos. Supervising a team of 45 refugee volunteers (Afghani, Congolese, et al.) he ran handwashing stations around the camp, assisting in the management of logistics and international volunteer recruitment, cooperating with local NGO’s in the minimisation of COVID infection risk and in the massive garbage clearance and disposal necessary.

Wishing to pursue his own level of ability to work in international humanitarian efforts, Daniel  gained entry to study at The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, the new MSc  Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict course.  His Rotary Global Scholarship has been provided by the Rotary Club of Tryon, North Carolina and his stay in England hosted by the Rotary Club of Brookmans Park.

At the end of Daniel’s talk an informative question and answer session followed with Club members expressing admiration for his achievements which they felt typified the value of the Rotary Global Scholarship Programme.