Ten years ago, Comunidad Connect began with a mission to alleviate poverty in Nicaragua by connecting isolated communities with appropriate resources and opportunities for growth. Relationships grew and impact deepened as more and more people connected across cultures through our projects and programs. The resulting bonds inspired financial and in-kind support, academic research, and significant social impact in Nicaragua. Everything was trending upward. As our network of support increased their engagement, so expanded our capacity to impact the communities of Nicaragua.
All that began to change on April 19th, when student-led protests reacting to drastic changes to the social security system were violently repressed. This incited more demonstrations and violence. As of today, over 100 people have been killed and over thousand wounded. National transportation strikes are making food, fuel, and other critical resources scarce, and our partner communities are struggling to find and afford the items that they need the most.
As a result, the Peace Corps has pulled its volunteers and the US State Department’s travel advisory now urges all travelers to reconsider plans to visit Nicaragua. Many organizations like ours are closing throughout Nicaragua and the tourism industry has already lost 100,000 jobs. All service-learning and mission trips scheduled to travel to Nicaragua with Comunidad Connect this year have been canceled. This has caused us to make some difficult decisions and our staff is much smaller than it was even six weeks ago. Yet our commitment is firm, and our hope is that Nicaragua will emerge stronger than ever…and we will be there to experience it.
Our network of support has the potential to make an incredible difference now in Nicaragua. All of our past and present volunteers, donors, staff, board, friends, and family can all advocate for peace, make a donation, and share our work with others. Together, we can continue to assist communities meet their basic needs through health and wellness programming. Together, we can seek creative solutions to the daily challenges resulting from the current events in Nicaragua. And only together, are we truly Comunidad Connect.
I would welcome the opportunity to talk with you in person about what is unfolding in Nicaragua and how we can make a difference together during these difficult times. You may reach me at 404.444.9147 or jon@comunidadconnect.org. Thank you for your time, prayers and thoughtful consideration.
Jon Thompson
Co-Founder/CEO
Comunidad Connect
