In this issue:
- Save the Date
- Cultural Connections – Dominican Republic
- Research in Nicaragua
- Songs For Good
Save the Date:
You are cordially invited to the Bentoberfest VI: Together For Health. Join us in Atlanta, or virtually, on October 16th to support our special needs program in Nicaragua. It will be an unforgettable night of dancing, live music, comedy, costume contests and much more – all for a cause that is life-changing for dozens of families living with special needs. Click here to add the event to your calendar.
When: October 16th, 7:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Where: Wild Heaven Beer- 135B Maple St, Avondale Estates, GA
Cultural Connections
After a long pause, we welcome you back to international travel! Our Cultural Connections program is open and our team in the Dominican Republic is standing by to host you and your friends, family, church, and school now and for many years to come. From the mountains of Constanza to the Puerto Plata coast, we facilitate unique international travel experiences that combine history, culture, service and learning for all involved. Now is the perfect time to start planning for 2022!
Contact us today at info@comunidadconnect.org to start curating your custom itinerary!
In the most recent episode of our podcast “The Connection”, we invited special guest Ivan Herrera to talk about his passions for photography, surfing, and serving at-risk youth through the initiative called “Marullos Surf +”. Ivan says his world opened up because he learned English and developed social skills in addition to being a remarkable surfer, photographer, and filmmaker. He wants Dominican youth to have those same opportunities and is leveraging his networks and talents to do just that. Watch the full episode here.
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Research in Nicaragua:
We are pleased to welcome Kohl Dothage, a graduate researcher from the University of Alabama, back to Los Robles, Nicaragua. Kohl will be continuing longitudinal research that first began in 2015 in collaboration with the Universities of Alabama, Ohio State, and Calgary. Her research aims to better understand what community resources and services or household attributes could enhance the resilience of women and children in this area of Nicaragua.
Kohl in Los Robles, Nicaragua, June 2021
Kohl uses different techniques and measurements to gather data and to understand context and individual experiences. These include a mothers’ mental health self-assessment, an autobiographical interview, food insecurity and water insecurity surveys, and body measurements.
Over the next few months, Kohl will be sending us video clips of her life and work in Los Robles which we will make available on our website.
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Dominga, Juan and Fernando Rizo
Click here to watch their home dedication ceremony
Songs For Good 2021
On May 27, we presented a showcase of music videos from musicians in the Comunidad Connect network. Proceeds from the event support our Homes For Good program. The event was a resounding success because of our generous community of support. We raised $15,000 – enough to build 6 more homes for families in rural Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Click here to watch the full event.
Songs performed: