Irma García, an Agent of Change

A university scholarship recipient promotes the importance of early childhood education. A young boy named Eduar, four years old and an aspiring teacher, needs a Sponsor. A St. Cloud woman fulfills her 75th birthday wish by traveling on a Vision Team.

These are just of few of the latest happenings at Common Hope -- which you make possible. Please read on to learn of the latest activities and accomplishments.

Para leer las noticias en español, haga click aqui.

News from Guatemala

Irma Garcia, an agent of change
Back in the 90's, Irma García's father served as a mason during the construction of Common Hope's Antigua site. Little did he know that more than ten years later, his daughter would be a high school graduate, a winner of a competitive university scholarship, and a teacher at a local NGO.

Irma García, 21, graduated from high school in 2008 with a degree in teaching. Now, she is studying pedagogy with a competitive university scholarship from Common Hope. In her second year, Irma is very motivated by the scholarship program. "We have to report our grades and keep our average up," she says. "They are expecting more from us as students, and that helps show us that we can do it."

In addition to attending university, Irma works as a preschool teacher for an organization called Let's Be Ready, founded by former Common Hope volunteer Fred Zambroski.

Irma sat down with Guatemala Communications Coordinator Caroline McGee at the end of a recent school day to talk about school, her work, and the importance of early childhood education. To read the full article and interview, click here.

Photo Caption: Irma Garcia pauses with a few students on their way home from school for the day.

Aspiring teacher needs a Sponsor
Eduar Fitoria

Eduar is part of the new 4-year-old preschool class at New Hope School. He lives with his mother, father, and three siblings in a town near New Hope Village. Eduar loves soccer, the color blue, and he wants to be a teacher when he grows up.

If you can contribute $1 or $2 per day to see Eduar through his goal of becoming a teacher, please contact Jessie at (651) 917-1045 or jessies@us.commonhope.org.

Photo: Four-year-old Eduar is in need of a Sponsor.

Supporters in Action

"It made the whole world feel so small."

A number of Sponsors traveled to Guatemala last fall to attend the high school graduation of their students. A few of them recently wrote reflections on their experience. Here is one from Sponsor Diane Sannes:

It is an incredible feeling to travel to a foreign country for the first time knowing that there is someone excited to meet you and wanting to thank you. It made the whole world seem so small.

My time with Cristina this past November was limited to just a hour visit at her home in Jocotenango and then during the graduation ceremony, but two worlds were bridged in this short time.

Meeting her mother and sister at their house, sharing tears of joy and getting hugs from those so grateful, touched a part of my heart that I didn't know existed. Read more...

Thanks to Diane for her thoughtful reflection! Check our blog soon for another from Sponsor Mary Thompson.

A mother's birthday wish

When Betty Kampa Miller was asked what she wanted for her 75th birthday, it didn't take long for her to decide: a trip with her five daughters to Guatemala.

A long-time Sponsor of three children, Betty wanted to share her passion for service with her family. Several other family members joined them, and the group traveled on a Vision Team this February. When they returned, Betty continued her efforts to spread the word. She was featured in the St. Cloud Times at the end of February. Click here to read the article.

Photo: Betty Kampa Miller visits the home of an affiliated family during her Vision Team trip.

Guatemalan students visit US office

GSSG Students write letters
In February, students from the Guatemala Student Support Group (GSSG) visited Common Hope's US office to volunteer and learn about our work. The teens translated Sponsor letters and made motivational cards for the students in San Rafael. Their cards included personal messages that stressed the importance of education and encouraged the children to stay in school.

GSSG provides an opportunity for impoverished Guatemalan youth to attend four years of high school and college in the United States. The organization aims to develop well-educated professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds to, as they put it, "act as a leaven for socioeconomic development when they return to their own country."

You can read excerpts from the group's letters here.

"Singing for a Common Reason!" a success

Theatre artist Mary Keepers entertained concertgoers on March 13 at her show entitled Mary Keepers and Friends: Singing for a Common Reason! Photographer Buck Holzemer highlighted our sponsorship program through his stunning photographs of Guatemalan children. About 150 people attended the event, nearly $1200 was raised, and eight students were sponsored!

If you have an idea for an event to raise awareness and find Sponsors, please contact Mary Gautschi via email or at (651) 917-0243.

You Can Help

Full-size shampoos and lotions needed

Our March need of the month is full-size bottles of shampoo and lotion. Thank you for those who donated hats, mittens, and scarves last month -- we received nearly 400 in February. If you are able to send more yet this spring, please do.

Your supply collections help Common Hope to provide opportunities for students and families in Guatemala while saving thousands of dollars that can be directed toward other pressing program needs.

Please help us reach our goal.

Long-term volunteers needed
Common Hope is currently seeking four full-time, long-term volunteers to support our programs in Guatemala. The following positions are yearlong commitments:

Vision Team Coordinator (2 positions, start date ASAP)
Housing Volunteer (start date ASAP)
Volunteer Physician (June start date)

For more information or to apply, visit our website.

Bilingual teachers needed
Pre-school and primary school teachers, bilingual or with intermediate Spanish skills, are needed this summer to work with our partner organization, Let's Be Ready (featured above). The organization works to prepare impoverished Guatemalan children for first grade.

The time commitment is at least three weeks. If interested, contact Fred Zambroski via email.