Interesting fact: Dan started school in Canada in grade three not knowing a word of English
Dan joins the Free The Children team as our database administrator. He has the important and difficult task of increasing our administrative efficiency; making information clear and easily accessible. His work will allow Free The Children to focus efforts more closely on reaching out to the world’s young people through our domestic and international programs.
Dan was born in Poland and raised under the caring supervision of his uncles and grandparents while his parents worked in the United States. In 1989 Dan’s parents moved to Canada where he joined them a year later. Starting elementary school in grade three in Oshawa, Ontario, Dan was presented with a bit of a problem; he didn’t know a word of English. Nonetheless he was welcomed early on by the kindness of the teachers and other students. Following high school he enrolled at the University of Toronto in Scarborough for a computer science/physical sciences double major. Not finding what he was seeking, and looking to specialize in something more hands-on, Dan switched focus and enrolled in the computer systems technology: database developer program at Durham College. Excelling in every subject, he found the program to be just what he was looking for. He was awarded Durham College Awards for being first in his class two years running, and graduated in 2005 with impressive results. Since coming to Canada he has travelled to many countries: Cuba, Poland (on many occasions), Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Denmark and the USA.
Once settled in his new life at Free The Children Dan plans to pursue a dream of his and become active as a Big Brother. In his spare time Dan can be found playing games and sports, watching movies, and traveling. His has been inspired by his most recent trip to Cuba to spend more time in warm climates and perhaps try surfing.