The Connection

We speak with Brian Mejia about his work as a Major League Baseball scout and President of the Dominican Prospect League, his Carambola Surf House, the Marullos Surf + project, and how collaborating with Comunidad Connect generates impact in the Dominican Republic. Today we lift up Brian for his inspiring messages of finding ones’ purpose, giving back, and sharing his love for the Dominican Republic with others.

We host special guest Ivan Herrera about his passions for photography, surfing, and serving at-risk youth through the initiative called "Marullos Surf +". Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Ivan Herrera is a Dominican director, producer, screenwriter and former professional surfer currently residing in the north coast of the Dominican Republic. 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. Comunidad Connect lifts up Ivan today for his empathy towards those less fortunate and his inspiring story of success.

Jon Thompson spoke recently with Director of Respiratory Therapy at Georgia State University, Dr. Doug Gardenhire. They discussed the dynamic situation that is COVID-19, returning safely to the classroom, and training the next generation of front line Respiratory Therapists. 

CEO Jon Thompson recently met again with Health Horizons International Executive Director, Dr. Eliezer Lappots-Abreu to discuss how COVID-19 is affecting work in the Dominican Republic, the importance of empowering vulnerable populations, and resilient communities in the Caribbean and Central America.

Jon Thompson speaks with Dr. Eliezer Lappots -Abreu about Health Horizons International programming, the social determinants of health, and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their work in the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Eliezer Lappots -Abreu is a former diplomat and well-known professional in the fields of human rights, immigration law, public policy, diplomacy, and community health. For the past 11 years he has led nonprofit and community-based organizations, public policies and international projects aimed at guaranteeing that vulnerable populations in developing countries have access to health services, education, employment, housing, and political participation. His career as a defender of human rights, access to public services, health, equity and social justice has touched more than 16 countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic , Burkina Faso, Ghana, Somalia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and India, among others.

Happy Friday! This week our community raised $1,400 towards our goal of $7,500 to build three houses in rural Nicaragua. Over the next two weeks, please consider a gift that will change the lives of three families for generations to come.  Today we hear from Director of Community Development, Yarisleidy Cortez, about why shy builds houses and what this means for families in rural Nicaragua.

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jason DeCaro and Kohl Dothage about their longitudinal research in the community of Los Robles, Nicaragua, the challenges facing mothers and children there, and community resilience in the midst of adversity.  

Dr. DeCaro is professor of Biocultural Medical and Psychological Anthropology at the University of Alabama and Kohl is a Ph.D. student in the same field who has spent the last several summers in Nicaragua conducting research.

We spoke with our Dominican Republic Project Coordinator, Eliesel Hernandez, about how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting life on the island, the challenges moving forward, and how neighbors are supporting each other during this difficult time

Jon Thompson speaks with Dr. Ben Thrower about how the current outbreak is affecting treatment for patients at the MS Institute at the Shepherd Center, the outlook for rural communities like Los Robles, Nicaragua, and how to make simple disinfectants with household items.

Yarisleidy gives updates about the current state of affairs in Nicaragua in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. 

-The government has yet to implement strict stay-at-home orders. 
-However, Nicaraguan citizens, private businesses and nonprofits are taking actions themselves to follow social distance and health protocols.
-Starting last week, Comunidad Connect delivered 3 months of medicine and food while distributing masks and hand sanitizer through our Together For Health and Food For Good program. Team members are working from home. 
-People in Los Robles are fearful of what they have seen of social media
-Most community residents live day-to-day and will have to continue to work despite the risks. 
-There has been an increased awareness of the importance of handwashing within the community. -In San Juan del Sur, the community is taking the issue more seriously

Today we spoke with the Director of Respiratory Therapy at Georgia State University, Doug Gardenhire, about the current COVID-19 outbreak, ventilators, and community solidarity during this difficult time. GSU, one of the largest respiratory therapy programs in the country, has and will continue to play an instrumental role in preparing respiratory therapists for work in the United States and abroad.

Today is Wednesday, March 25, 2020. It is also the 50th Wednesday Snapshot that we've done here. It is the time each week where we lift up and recognize someone who has inspired us to think or act differently. In the spirit of celebrating our 50th snapshot, we will be doing it virtually.  This is a time where a lot of us are socially distant and physically separated, but our connectivity has become more important than ever before.