A Stratford teacher brought the healing power of music to Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Bunnell High School Latin teacher Dylan Connor was in Jordan from July 10 to July 18 with the Syrian American Council. He alone raised $9,000 to provide food, toys, diapers and other necessities to refugees.

Connor says he carried his guitar like a backpack every day, playing for injured people in hospitals or even in their homes.

He says seeing the children's faces light up and hearing them sing along made him feel like he was able to raise their spirits, even if just for a few minutes.

“Anytime someone takes out an instrument and starts to sing or play, people change. The energy in the room changes and people feel more connected I think. It's a language that transcends words,” he says.

Connor says this mission trip was the result of the escalating violence and refugee crisis in Syria. He says the particular cause hit close to home for Connor as his wife still has family living in affected areas.

Connor is the newly appointed chair of Missions for the Syrian American Council, and says he's got his work cut out for him