Santo Domingo.- Save the Children Dominicana welcomed Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, to the Capotillo community for an exchange visit that showcased the impact of the programs the organization implements alongside community leaders to ensure the well-being and protection of children.
The visit began with the presentation of the results achieved by Save the Children Dominicana between 2022 and 2025, as well as the progress of the Capotillo Protege project funded by Hoteles Nacionales, an initiative that strengthens community participation to create safer and more protective environments for girls and adolescents.
We recommend reading:
During the tour, Natalia Bayona visited the El Túnel School, where she was able to share time with participants of The Power of Art, funded by the Rizek Guerrero and Diaz Rainieri families, a program that uses visual arts and music as tools to strengthen life skills, foster creativity, and promote the integral development of children. During the tour, Natalia was able to witness the children and adolescents in their artistic sessions.
The day included testimonies from children and young people who shared how these spaces have contributed to strengthening their self-esteem, developing new talents, and expanding their growth opportunities.
More Read
The delegation also toured different parts of Capotillo accompanied by community leaders and the Green Brigades, who showed the work they do to promote environmental care, strengthen coexistence, and create safe spaces for the community’s families.
During the visit, Natalia Bayona highlighted the value of initiatives that originate from communities and the role played by education, culture, and collaborative work as drivers of sustainable development and social inclusion.
In the words of Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, “When communities have opportunities to develop their talent and strengthen their capabilities, transformations are generated that impact not only the people, but also the future of the territories.”
More Read
For its part, Save the Children Dominicana reaffirmed that child protection requires a joint commitment between organizations, public institutions, the private sector, and communities, working in a coordinated manner to ensure that every girl and boy can grow up in a safe environment, with access to quality education and opportunities to reach their full potential.
The day concluded with a tour of the community that made it possible to witness both the challenges that Capotillo still faces and the positive impact of the initiatives promoted together with community leaders, families, and strategic allies, reaffirming the importance of continuing to strengthen alliances in favor of childhood and adolescence.
