Staff
| Dalena Taylor Pondler Program Coordinator |
Ivette Fonseca Accommodation Coordinator |
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 Originally from Pearl Lagoon on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua, Dalena spoke Creole and English most of her childhood and learned Spanish as teenager. Her natural leadership skills were cultivated among her Moravian church youth and young adult group, which gave her opportunities to travel through Latin American, the Caribbean, Europe, and Canada. After graduating from Managua’s UNICIT in 2006 with a degree in International Relations and Social Work, Dalena worked for Casa Canadiense, Goshen College, and US mission groups. She began organizing Compañeros groups in 2006 and really enjoys her role developing grassroots service project partnerships and sharing Nicaraguan culture with Canadians – especially music and dancing! |
 A life-long resident of Managua, Ivette has a wide network of family, friends, and guesthouses with whom she has managed host family and accommodation services for 250+ North American participants since 2004. With a Master's in Sociology from Universite de Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium and 20 years experience working with the Ministry of Education and Save the Children, Ivette is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of individuals and groups who are seeking to encounter the culture of Nicaragua and contribute to its social development. With an avid interest in house design, Ivette manages all aspects of accommodation and hospitality services for Compañeros participants and looks forward to welcoming you! |
Service Projects
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Host FamiliesTBA HotelsCorn Islands – Casa Canada: www.casa-canada.com Granada – Hotel La Gran Francia: www.lagranfrancia.com Pochomil Beach – Hotel Vista Mar: www.vistamarhotel.com Managua – Airport: www.managua.com/hotels Managua – Hotel Los Pinos: www.hotelospinos.com Ometepe – Totoco Eco-Lodge: www.totoco.com.ni San Juan del Sur – Hotel Piedras y Olas: www.piedrasyolas.com |