Human Connections’ (HC) mission to increase empathy across cultures and strengthen communities is at the heart of every program we offer. Even in this time of social distancing and restricted travel, the HC team has innovated socially responsible ways to virtually (and safely) bring international audiences and our local partners together -- while also generating much-needed income for our partners.
In the immediate aftermath of COVID-related shutdowns, we channeled over $12,500 USD to our partner families, including $6,000 USD in emergency stipends. Now, HC is turning to more sustainable long-term programming that transforms this period of emergency into one of opportunity. Financed by our Emergency Response Fund (ERF), these are the initiatives HC is currently spearheading:
Artisan Alliance
Artisans who typically sell to tourists are disproportionally affected by the pandemic. HC is welcoming all Bahía de Banderas artisans - not just our partners - to apply to receive capacity building support with product design, photography, marketing and sales.
Product Sales
We are hard at work developing an online store and opportunities for companies worldwide to order directly from our Artisan Alliance. This project involves expertise in tax and legal matters, shipping and logistics, customer service and online sales.
Virtual Experiences
The HC team has designed a suite of virtual experiences that will facilitate authentic interactions between international audiences and our artisan partners to hear their stories, see their artistic processes, and foster cross-cultural conversations.
We are confident that both HC and the tourism sector will recover and be stronger than ever. We believe in the power of our shared humanity to help us endure challenging times and build resiliency. If you’re able, we encourage you to make a contribution to our Emergency Response Fund and support our Covid-19 Initiative. With your generosity, HC can be a source of strength, stability, and security for our partners and the larger Bucerías community to weather this storm with good health and dignity.