This week, we want you to meet Tony! Along with his wife and two sons, Tony lives and works in Tunisia. Check out his insights into this beautiful and complex country:

Hi Tony. Tell us about yourself!

I was born in Mexico City but have spent half of my life in the United States. I am a telecommunications engineer by trade who has experience in a variety of fields. I am married to a beautiful French woman (yes, we speak Spanish, French, English and now Arabic in our house!) who continuously surprises me with her ability to learn things and adapts to new situations. We have two young boys and have lived in Tunisia for five years.

What do you love about Tunisia?

The people! They are warm-hearted, they love their families and they have a tremendous sense of honor. They value personal relationships and are friendly to a fault, always making time to speak to me on the street or invite me over for tea. They are peaceful, which was evident in their 2010-2011 revolution. And they have helped us feel at home. We often receive their counsel and direction.

What do you wish people knew about Tunisia?

This is a country rich in history and culture. But most importantly, this is a country whose people are peaceful and welcoming, a country that has tasted the freedom that comes with democracy, a country that has what it takes to move forward.

As an IDEAS professional, what projects are you currently working on?

My project is to help associations serving people, both children and adults, with special needs. I facilitate training programs, develop workshops, and help these associations realize their potential with the knowledge and resources they currently have. I also encourage them to share and create communities of associations that work together for the benefit of those they serve, helping to break down stereotypes and barriers to improving their quality of life.

What are the greatest needs for your project right now?

One of the goals I have is to begin creating parent support groups. These groups would provide an outlet for sharing and coping. My hope is that the families of the people with special needs receive the dignity and value that society has denied them. I lack the sufficient knowledge to be effective in this area. This project could use a person with community development or social working skills.

Can you tell us a recent story of impact or transformation?

I frequently facilitate training workshops in motor skills and cognitive development to educators and families with special needs family members. At the end of one of these workshops, I noticed one of the fathers crying. When I asked him what was wrong, he answered, "my son is 13 years old and today is the first time that he has voluntarily hugged me and thanked me for being here with him. If I had learned some of this information earlier, I would have had a much happier child and family." I have seen this man a few times since and he is helping his child and others with some of the exercises learned during the workshop. His entire attitude and family life have changed!

Want to know more about Tunisia and how you can get involved for 2 weeks or more? Check out our programs by country!