Like many other Venezuelans living around the world, I have been completely heartbroken following the news about the devastation caused by the double earthquakes in late June.

I've been thinking a lot about what I can do to help. This is how I came up with the idea to organise salsa & bachata parties in Cardiff to raise money for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC)'s Venezuela appeal.

My hope is for this to become a monthly event bringing the Cardiff Latin dance community together for a fun evening centered around a good cause.

ALL funds will go directly to DEC, an organisation bringing together 15 leading UK charities specialising in humanitarian aid overseas.

*Event programme:*

5:45 - 6:30pm Open level Casino (also known as "Cuban Salsa") basics workshop

Everyone is welcome, it will be a great starting point for cross body dancers or anyone who needs to brush up on their basics!

6:30 - 10:00pm Salsa & Bachata party

A fresh playlist combining classic crowd favourites and the newest tracks. A professional sound system and excellent flooring for dance.

Date: 22nd Of August

Location: ST MARY'S HALL, 50 Talbot St, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9BX

Minimum donation: £10

Also I would like to say a massive thank you to Ysabel Vieira for doing the brilliant poster for the event, and to John Thomas, the manager of St Mary's Hall, for kindly hosting us.

Read more about the situation in Venezuela and DEC's appeal here:

Two catastrophic earthquakes have hit Venezuela.

They struck within seconds of each other. Buildings were reduced to rubble in minutes. The scale of destruction is huge.

Hundreds of people have been killed, and the death toll continues to rise. Thousands more are injured, and the country’s hospitals are under extreme pressure.

The UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than 2 million in the worst impacted areas.

Now the survivors urgently need shelter, food, water, and medical care.

Families are sleeping in makeshift tents on the street, with little protection from the heat and rain. Power lines and roads have been destroyed, and people are cut off from essential supplies.

Venezuela was already facing a severe economic crisis before the earthquakes. The needs are now overwhelming.

DEC charities are working with their local partners to reach people with emergency aid.