July 2021 Newsletter

In this issue:

• Travel with CC makes a difference
• Bentoberfest 2021: Together For Health
• 2021 Mid-Year Impact Report
• Academic Research in Nicaragua
• Entrepreneur Snapshot: Angela Alaniz

Travel with CC makes a difference

We have opened travel dates to the Dominican Republic for Summer 2022! We will host groups large and small during June and July for families, churches, surfers, birders, and adventurers of all ages. 

Create your own international travel experience that combines history, culture, service, and learning with fun in the sun. Click here for a flyer with more information and contact us at info@comunidadconnect.org for more details.

Bentoberfest 2021: Together For Health

Join us in Atlanta, or virtually, on October 16th to support our special needs program in Nicaragua by attending the best party of the year. Click here to add the event to your calendar. 

When: October 16th, 8:00 pm – 12:00 pm

Where: Wild Heaven Beer- 135B Maple St, Avondale Estates, GA

What: Live music, DJ, Costume Contests, Auction, Raffles, and much more!

2021 Mid-Year Impact

Our collective impact is driven by our incredible community of support. Since January, our network of givers, staff, and community partners have:

• Built new homes for 5 families

• Conducted 140 medical home visits

• Driven patients 4,300+ km to specialists and hospitals

• Prepared and delivered 1,400 meals

• Provided 1,800+ consultations in Los Robles clinic

• Constructed 50 clean-water filters

Academic Research

Expanding our work to the Dominican Republic creates opportunities for comparative research in collaboration with our academic partners. For example, CC and GA State University’s Respiratory Therapy program led by Doug Gardenhire studied indoor cooking practices and vital signs between similar populations in Nicaragua and the DR. The recently published article in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice can be read in its entirety here.

Community Leadership Snapshot 

Angela Alaniz has been a Brigadista (community health promoter) in Los Robles, Nicaragua for three years and a community leader for much longer. Seeing few opportunities for work, Angela asked CC for a clean-cook oven with the plan of starting a baking business.

In June, Comunidad Connect contracted local masons to build her an oven and she began perfecting her recipes using skills she learned through a baking course. She is now selling pizzas and tortas to her neighbors with plans to expand her menu and food offerings as business increases. Thanks to ongoing support from our generous community, we foster grassroots economic development and entrepreneurs like Angela.