I have worked for nearly 30 years in international humanitarian assistance (aka "aid", aka "fighting poverty") in poor countries. I've worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, CARE, HOPE International, and several others.

I have worked, lived, and/or traveled in 115 countries. I speak 4 languages well, 1 somewhat well, and a bit of a half-dozenish others.

I currently live in the Philippines, fighting poverty in a few different ways (water filters, basic education, and consulting for international and local NGOs). My wife and I have three children, two of which are identical twin boys :).

I've NEVER tried CS.com before, but I have "couchsurfed" as a guest and host scores of times - so it won't be new to me.

Also, even though I'm not young, at 53, I'm not 'old' yet, and would be fine with 'modest' conditions (don't think I need luxury :)).

Thanks for considering my request :). For details, I can send my cv/resume by email if u'd like. U can contact me there at davelarsonpdx@gmail.com.

Dave

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm exploring using cs.com because I recently heard about it, need to save $ due to some family financial challenges, and enjoy meeting like-minded, interesting people. I would love to welcome guests to our home in the Philippines as well.

Interests

TRAVELLING, of course!

In addition to fighting poverty thru my work, I enjoy:

- Reading and movies dealing with other cultures and/or history or stories of justice (e.g. I just watched "Woman in Gold", about a Jewish woman who fled the Holocaust and settled in the U.S., then eventually fought Austrian institutions to reclaim family property stolen by the Nazis but then kept by Austria).

Other examples from long ago are Ghandi and The Killing Fields, or, more recently, The Butler. I like movies (and books) that MAKE U THINK...not just senseless car chases, etc. Oh, and some Love Stories :) LOL, like "The Notebook". Hey, I'm human...

- Sports, mostly basketball and football;

- Current Events.

• books
• education
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• sports
• basketball
• soccer
• teaching
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

See above for some examples of movies.

Some favorite books:

"Half the Sky", by Nicolas Kristoff and Cheryly Wu-Dunn;

"How I Left MicroSoft to Change the World", by John Wood (founder of the literacy-focused organization "Room to Read");

"The Kite Runner", by Khaled Hosseini;

"The Number One Ladies Detective Agency", and its MANY sequels, by Alexander McCall-Smith;

"Schindler's List";

"The Gods Must Be Crazy";

Eclectic taste in music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Contributed to helping avert a massive famine in Mozambique during 1993's "Drought of the Century" there. At the beginning, experts predicted that at least two million people would die. Instead, less than 100 did.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My experiences around the globe (lots of stories). 115 countries.

Gifts from the Philippines.

A meal out

My great sense of humor (LOL!) (and deep humility :)).

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Mozambique, Philippines, Rwanda