In mid August two containers of donated supplies arrived at the Antigua site.  Weighing a combined total of about 52,000 lbs., each was filled with an estimated $200,000 in school supplies which are already being distributed amongst our programs, including, linens, towels, hygiene items, toys, sewing machines, books, tools, hats/mittens/scarves, blankets, office supplies, work boots, crutches, and dental/medical equipment.

Thanks again to Karen Reichensperger of The MESSAGE Program, who was very instrumental in coordinating the shipment on truck, rail, and ship and getting the supplies through customs in a timely manner.  We are grateful to everyone who had a hand in this major in-kind effort!

A load of office supplies also arrived in mid August from 3M Guatemala, including boxes of tape, post-it notes, and an overhead projector.  The 3M staff toured the Antigua site to learn more about Common Hope's work and were very interested in finding additional ways to get involved and support our work.  Many thanks to 3M Guatemala for your generous donation!

Presentation at Best Buy's WOLF event
The Best Buy Women's Leadership Forum (WOLF) invited Tamalyn Gutierrez, country director of Common Hope, to present at their annual event in Boston, MA on August 20-22.  The event focused on women's leadership, inspiration, and empowerment, and Tamalyn's workshop, The Weight of the World: Women in Guatemala and How We Can Shoulder Their Burdens, was inspired by her encounters with Guatemalan women over the years.  "I had the privilege of sharing with participants the amazing strength, courage and 'beauty under fire' of five Guatemalan women -- how Common Hope helps with their burdens, and how participants could help women around them who are carrying similar loads." 
 
Two former long-term volunteers, Kaela Vronsky and Gwyneth Fries, helped to facilitate the workshop, which was attended by about 150 employees of Best Buy.  Each participant made a card or poster for one of the women honored, which Tamalyn will take back to the women as a source of encouragement. One workshop participant said, "I realized that I have more in common with Guatemalan women than I thought, but though I was poor growing up, we always had food to eat."
 
Tamalyn was delighted to run into two current Sponsors and a former Vision Team member at the event, as well as several people who were planning to travel to Guatemala soon and added Common Hope to their travel plans.  Another woman in the audience was Guatemalan and shared that her family left Guatemala for the States to find a better life, just as Tamalyn's family left the States for Guatemala to walk with Guatemalans in creating a better life. "We are all connected, as this powerful networking event demonstrated," said Tamalyn. "By partnering with Best Buy/WOLF, Common Hope is able to engage more people in our work of providing hope and opportunity."  Thank you to Best Buy/WOLF for this opportunity!

Our school supply drive got off to a great start this fall thanks to a group of interns at Target Corporation headquarters in Minneapolis.  In August the interns collected and delivered over 130 backpacks filled with supplies. 

What's more, on the day of delivery the group surprised us with $500 in Target gift cards to be used for additional supply needs.  Thank you to Target Corporation and the Target interns! 

Click here for a collection of photos of their delivery.