About SONATI
SONATI was established in August, 2009 in Leon, Nicaragua thought the initiative of Arnon (Nony) Dattner, using personal funds to achieve environmental preservation and stewardship. Creating a self-sustaining private business with non-profit ethics model using micro businesses (hostel and eco-friendly tours), SONATI generate funding to support local guides and educators, and implement free environmental education programs for the community. Reaching out to the international community, SONATI recruit international volunteers and other resources to support its mission.
Actually SONATI is in the process to incorporate into a Nicaraguan non-profit organization.
Mission
The mission of SONATI is to encourage environmental stewardship and preservation, and to promote responsible environmental projects through education programs, community outreach and self-sustaining resources.
Vision
- To increase knowledge, love and care toward the environment.
- To empower community members with the tools and knowledge to take action in their communities and become a voice for environmental change.
- To become a resource for leadership development for environmental change.
- To create programs in different sites, with sites cooperating with one another in an international arena.
SONATI staff
SONATI staff is composed of energetic and idealist people, all sharing the love for the natural world and the passion protect the environment.
Arnon (Nony) Dattner: founder and director of SONATI. As a child and teenager I was a student and afterwards a guide in the Israeli environmental-education system: The society for the protection of nature in Israel; where I experienced the power of environmental-education in increasing the love toward nature among children.
Before SONATI I established another environmental-education organization in northern Peru, named CANATURA. After experiencing the difficulties in relying on donations to finance free environmental-education activities for a long period, I decided to fund SONATI at its actual sustainable structure.
I studied Geography and Biology for my B.A. and Zoology for my M.Sc.
In my free time i enjoy mainly outdoor adventures at remote wilderness, bird-watching and nature photographing.
Claudia García: hostel manager.
I became involved in environmental activities at school. I was a board member and active member of the "environmentalist youngsters" of Leon and was part of the environmental committee of Leon; at these organizations i participated and managed different environmental activities and campaigns.
I arrived to SONATI as a volunteer to participate in the nature guiding course and to carry out environmental activities; once in SONATI I accepted Nony's request to manage SONATI's hostel. I am satisfied knowing that SONATI couldn't carry out its environmental activities without the money raised through the hostel. I studied agrarian ecology engineering and I am an active member of the Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai International.
Carlos Iván Sequeira Almendárez: trekking &tours manager.
I arrived to SONATI thanks to 2 friends and a flyer at the university with the following text: "hostel manager is wanted, must speak English and love nature"; it seems to be the perfect job for me. The next day I met with Nony who explained me about the idea of SONATI and few days later I resigned from my former job and started to work as the manager of SONATI hostel. However, since I was a child my heart was at the mountains, so after a year I changed position and became responsible over the treks and tours in SONATI.
Although I am usually not directly involved in the environmental work, I feel pleased knowing that the environmental work can be carried out thanks to the treks and tours that I managing and guiding and I feel part of the environmental change that SONATI is doing.
I studied agribusiness and business management.
In my free time I practice sports.
Karin Mayorga: environmental education coordinator.
I am involved in environmental and social activities since I was a child. I was a guide at the scouts of Leon, during the university I participated in environmental conferences in Iceland (Ice Climate Education program) and in Germany. I arrived to SONATI to participate in the nature guiding course and worked as a volunteer in the environmental programs, until becoming a SONATI staff member.
I studied Tourism; in my free time I enjoy being in the outdoors with my friends.
Cristhiam Osmar Berríos Montes: guide.
I arrived to SONATI to participate in the nature guiding course and worked as a volunteer in the environmental programs, until becoming a SONATI staff member. I am involved in all SONATI environmental activities. I studied Biology and enjoy bird-watching and singing.
Octavio Berríos Montes: guide.
I first arrived to SONATI during my high school studies to participate in the adventure-in-nature course, and I fell in love in the activities. I joined SONATI as a volunteer, to help with the environmental activities, and eventually became a staff member. I am involved in all SONATI environmental activities. I enjoys being in the outdoors and playing music.
Flor de María Pantoja: hostel cleaning.
I am a very social person and love to help others. I also love to meet and chat with our guests and learn about other cultures. I like to join SONATI activities in the outdoors, when they are not too difficult. I am 39 years old and have 3 children.
SONATI volunteers
National and international volunteers are involved in SONATI and have an indispensible contribution to our activities.
Alexander Morales, Leon, Nicaragua:
I am involved in SONATI environmental activities since 2009, I feel happy to help these activities knowing that I help to promote respect and love toward the nature. Beside SONATI I was also involved in other environmental groups in Leon: ASIJUL and Ara-Macao. I studied economics.
Bismarck Soto, Leon, Nicaragua:
My love to nature attracted me to SONATI, where I work in different environmental activities as volunteer. Currently I study tourism at the university at Leon; in my free time I like to hear music and be outside at nature.
Carolin Kern, Germany:
I am in charge over the "environmental murals" project and involved in recycling projects with schools. In Germany I was involved in Greenpeace, after high school I decided to volunteer 1 year in SONATI through the German organization GIZ.
Jonas Freist-Held, Germany:
I am in charge over the "recycling park" project and involved in recycling projects with schools. After finishing high school in Germany I decided to volunteer 1 year in SONATI through the German organization GIZ. In Germany I worked five years for the local theatre in Oldenburg, led some different youth groups and founded a youth magazine. I like to work together with young ambitious people, to laugh and to realize interesting projects. In my free time I like to play soccer, the guitar and I love to listen to music.
Lea Frauke, Germany:
I carry out indoor and outdoors environmental activities for school children. After finishing high school in Germany I decided to volunteer 1 year in SONATI through the German organization GIZ. After the year with SONATI i would like to study biology and math and to be a teacher.
SONATI angels
SONATI angels are people who do not have an official role in SONATI structure, but are actively helping SONATI in their communities; in fund-raising, equipment, contacts, publication, etc.
Einat Dattner, Israel:
I am a site director in the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel; in the city of Lod. I love to see SONATI work which has lot of common with the work I carry out in Israel, and I feel pleased to be able to help SONATI, even from far away.
Mayra Gonzalez Rey, USA:
I am currently part of the Ransome Multimedia team in Miami, Florida, and enjoying using my graphic design and translating abilities. My passion for nature and conservation issues is what inspired me to pursue my involvement with SONATI, hoping to fulfill my personal and professional goals while helping the organization to continue growing. I enjoy nature and wildlife photography, and outdoor activities such as bicycling, camping, paddling, and hiking.
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