Notes from the Field
Check out the latest posts on our blog.
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New Video Footage
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Check out these new photos from photographer Eric Stone, who visited our Antigua site earlier this month.
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Did You Know?
Last year, Common Hope's first graders advanced to the next grade at a rate of 78 percent, beating the national average of 66 percent by a wide margin.
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Did You Know?
Last year, Common Hope's seventh graders advanced to the next grade at the rate of 75 percent, surpassing the national average of 50 percent by an even wider margin than first graders (see above).
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| Most Needed Supplies |
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AUGUST
School Supplies
SEPTEMBER
School Supplies
See details
of supply needs here.
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Greetings!
Tamalyn Gutierrez has an eventful week running into successful grads, aspiring lawyer Orfa Ventura needs a Sponsor, New Hope School welcomes Chicago sister school, Dental Clinic needs piece of equipment ... Read on to learn more about the latest news from Common Hope.
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Encounters with the successful: A week of running into graduates who are thriving
by Tamalyn Gutierrez, Country Director  Jonathan, a former student, showed up in my office Friday morning. I was headed to do an administrative task of some sort but welcomed the interruption. Jonathan told me that Julio, Andres, Arnoldo and he would be playing in a band contest that evening in the Central Park of Antigua. Three of these guys are graduates of our program -- two graduated in 2006 and one in 2007. Julio, though never affiliated with us, hung out in our youth programs from 7th to 10th grade because his friends were there and it was "safer" and "more fun" than what he could be doing on the street. All of these boys now have jobs or support their parents' businesses and are able to make a living. They are all involved in community service and worthwhile activities. I wished Jonathan luck and told him that I would try to make it to see them. Continue reading...Photo: Jonathan and Julio practice at the Antigua site with fellow Step by Step band members. |
Aspiring lawyer needs a Sponsor
 Orfa Ventura is 11 years old and studies in the second grade at Francisco Marroquín school in San Jan del Obispo. She lives with her parents and two siblings on about 1,600 square feet of land. Orfa would like to be a lawyer when she grows up. Yet like the student featured last month, Orfa is old for her grade. Older students are more likely to drop out of school, so the encouragement of a Sponsor can make an especial difference. If you can root for Orfa by sponsoring her as she works toward law school, please contact Jessie via email or at (651) 917-1045. Thank you! Photo: Aspiring lawyer, 11-year-old Orfa Ventura, is in need of a Sponsor. |
New Hope School welcomes teachers from sister school in Chicago
In early August, New Hope School hosted teachers and the principal from its new
sister school, Hubbard Woods Elementary in Winnetka, IL. The goal of the exchange was to get to know each other,
build relationships, and explore a long-term
partnership.
It was a great week as Hubbard Woods teachers shared a few
concrete, hands-on activities in the classroom, and the principals from
the two schools exchanged ideas about their schools and the challenges of their positions. "We
are very excited about the future of this partnership, because it will provide a
network of support for New Hope teachers and staff and an incredible learning
opportunity for H ubbard Woods teachers," said Renato Westby, Program Development Director.
At the end of the week,
teachers from both schools shared impressions about their
experience. Todd Burleson, a
4th grade teacher at Hubbard Woods, said, "The staff at New Hope School is phenomenal; they are quite isolated and do not have the opportunities we have to share with colleagues as easily as teachers in Winnetka do. We hope that through our relationship, we can both continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of teaching children. How amazing it is to be part of such a dynamic and commited partnership." Mynor
Lemus, New Hope Director, said, "I am so impressed with the level of
commitment, motivation, and responsibility in each of the
Hubbard Woods team members, and I thank them for their willingness to share
their experiences and optimism."
As the second part of the teacher exchange, four New Hope elementary teachers and the principal
will visit Hubbard Woods School this December. More pictures and stories of this first trip are posted on the Hubbard Woods teachers' blog.
Photo: The Hubbard Woods and New Hope teachers gather outside of New Hope School.
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Sponsor and friend blog for school supplies  Sponsor Heather Stuart and her friend Sandy Ploy are collecting school supplies and spreading the word through their blogs. Heather's blog, called Pass the Cereal, shares photos from last year's impressive collection and lists this year's needs. She is collecting school supplies from family and friends until September 11 as a part of the Latin American Adoptive Families of Wisconsin.
Sandy's blog, called Iron Cupcake Milwaukee, is encouraging people to collect supplies as a part of her cupcake contest, taking place this August. Those who bring a school supply get a discount on their tickets to the event. Thanks for your creative support, Heather and Sandy!
Click here to see our list of most needed school supplies.
Photo: Heather Stuart and family. |
Volunteers sew an impressive pile of pencil bags for students in Guatemala
Volunteers at the US office had an impressive
day of sewing pencil bags this July. Six volunteers worked through the day to
create nearly 500 pencil bags, under the direction of Julie Zupfer Anderson, a
dedicated  volunteer who has sewed and donated hundreds of hats and mittens to
the children of Guatemala over the years.
One volunteer, Lynn Arnsdorf, described
the event as "peace, love, and sewing, all
done in a fun atmosphere to make the lives of children better in our big world.
I enjoyed meeting other people with huge, kind hearts." Thanks to the volunteers for your enthusiastic, hard work!
After the success of this first event, another will be held tomorrow, August 18th, at 10am. Julie Zupfer Anderson will show how to sew easy hats and mittens out of polar fleece. Contact Leanne Turnquist at (651) 917-0243 or via email if you would like to attend, or if you have any extra polar fleece fabric to donate.
Photo: Volunteers hard at work sewing pencil bags in the US warehouse.
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Special reception for "Patterns of Colorful Lives" downtown Chicago on August 23
 Shari Blindt, Executive Director, will give a brief talk on Sunday, August 23 at a reception for the "Patterns of Colorful Lives" exhibit. Hosted by our friends at Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago, the exhibit features Guatemalan huipiles (traditional Mayan blouses) and beautiful photos of Guatemala. The elaborate designs and patterns on huipiles convey the wearer's village, marital status, and personal beliefs. The photos were taken by Buck Holzemer and Patti Petrich of Buck Holzemer Productions.
The reception will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on August 23 at the The Fourth Church Loggia, 126 Chestnut St. Shari's remarks will begin at 1:45 p.m. The exhibit, which will run through September 13, is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday
8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. |
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Unexpected equipment need in Dental Clinic
The Dental Clinic needs $1,000 to purchase a new
autoclave (a sterilizer) after our old one unexpectedly short-circuited and burned up. We need to purchase it in-country to get a maintenance contract.
If you can give a donation to our Dental Clinic for this need,
please contact Kate Lucas via email or at (651) 917-0917. Special
thanks to short-term volunteer dentist, Anna Dong, for donating other
replacement equipment needed in the Dental Clinic.
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Help fill a Guatemalan student's backpack
Our August need of the month is school supplies: pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, glue (8 oz bottles), colored
 pencils (12 packs), scissors, rulers, watercolors, calculators,
compasses, and protractors.
Your supply collections help Common Hope to provide opportunities for students and families in Guatemala while saving thousands of dollars, which can be directed to other pressing program needs. Thank you! Please help us reach our goal. |
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Reminder Twin Cities: You still have time to visit the photo display at Trotter's Café
 Trotter's Café and Bakery in St. Paul is promoting Common Hope by displaying photos of students that need Sponsors and information about sponsoring a child. Support Common Hope and a socially-minded local business by enjoying lunch, a cup of coffee, or dinner along with beautiful photos of Guatemalan children. And tell your family and friends!
The display runs August
2-30 at Trotter's Cafe and Bakery, 232 Cleveland Ave.
N., St. Paul, at the intersection of Cleveland and Marshall Avenues.
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