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Hermelinda jumping rope at our partner school in Santa Catarina. "We have such admiration for this inspiring little girl," says psychologist Flor García.
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A small leap over the rope, a big leap for Hermelinda |
Hermelinda, age 9, says school work is much easier this year. "Before when the teacher would say a word," she says, "the letters wouldn't come into my mind and I couldn't write them. This year I can." Since last year, Hermelinda has become an avid jump roper -- surprisingly, this may be the key to her leap ahead.
A second grader at our Santa Catarina partner school, Hermelinda participated last year in Foquitos Prendidos, or Lit Lightbulbs. Led by Common Hope psychology staff at our partner schools, the program introduces a series of brain stimulation exercises for first graders. The program's 15 sessions incorporate physical movement that integrates the left and right hemisphere of the brain and develops students' memory, organizational skills, peripheral vision, ability to concentrate, and cognitive functioning.
When Common Hope psychologist Felipe Bagur first brought jump ropes to class last year, Hermelinda had a very hard time. She also struggled mightily with jumping jacks. Felipe and her teacher told her she needed to practice as much as she could. As Common Hope Psychologist Flor García describes it, "We met a shy, insecure, and incredibly uncoordinated girl with learning difficulties. She responded to most of our activities with 'I can't.'" Continue reading...
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 | | Juilliard students lead an exercise during their week-long workshop. |
In just one week, Juilliard students prepare Santa Catarina students for the stage
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A group of students from The Juilliard School in New York visited Guatemala this May, where they put on a week-long workshop in dance, drama, and music for students at our Santa Catarina partner school. The group's mission was to inspire and empower the students to perform confidently. They also hoped the students would gain skills in team work and a sense of self-reliance and pride in performing for their classmates.
The group worked with students in grades 4-6 from Monday through Thursday, three hours each day, putting together a performance piece that they presented to the rest of the school on Friday. Each day of the workshop, students split their time between music, dance, and drama.
Highlights of the performance included an instrumental piece using egg shakers, drumsticks, and tambourines, an interpretive dance expressing students' feelings through movement, and a dramatic presentation of the legend of Tecun Uman explaining the origins of the quetzal's red breast.
Annalise Thompson, a recent graduate from Juilliard and leader of the group, said she believes it is important for Juilliard students to take their gift outside the concert hall and present it in its most simple and basic form. Continue reading and view more photos...
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 | | A Target team member with a New Hope student and his finished art project. |
Target team members share their love of the environment with New Hope School
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New Hope School welcomed special guests earlier this month, team members from Target-Guatemala. While Target has visited our Antigua Family Development Center, this was their first visit to New Hope School, where they have funded our preschool since 2008. Because sustainability is a strong value of Target, the team led an environmental activity with students. They spoke about the importance of recycling and then led an art project that used recycled materials.
For more info and photos on the group's visit, go to our blog.
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 Registration open for our 3rd annual golf tournament | On September 13, AbeTech will host our third annual Common Hope Golf Tournament at the Fox Hole Golf Course in St. Michael, Minnesota. Details and registration are available on our website. You can also support the event by becoming a tournament or hole sponsor.
For more information, visit the event page on our website, contact Louise LeGrand via email or call (651) 917-0243. |
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A sponsor can encourage Licinio to stay in school despite being old for his grade.
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Be a voice of encouragement for Licinio, age 14
| Licinio lives in San Miguel Milpas Altas with his mother and three siblings. The 14-year-old currently studies in fourth grade at the Common Hope partner school. He is over-age for his grade, which can put him at-risk of dropping out before earning his high school degree. Students who are older than their classmates can have a harder time fitting in and can face increasing pressure to leave school to earn income for their family.
If you can sponsor Licinio and encourage him to persevere, please contact Jessie Szopinski via email, call (651) 917-0917, or sponsor him online. |
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 More news: Notes from the field | | Stories include new desks for New Hope school thanks to the Welch family, and a teacher training at our Antigua library. Check out these stories and more on our blog, Notes from the field. |
 Openings for Vision Teams | Interested in planning a vacation with a vision? In 2012, we have the following openings:
- Aug 18-25
- Sep 1-8
- Sep 22-29 (individual travelers welcome)
- Oct 20-27
- Dec 1-8
You can check out the trip calendar on our website. Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers, and start planning your trip of a lifetime. |
 Calling St. John's and St. Ben's Alum | | We are looking for alumni from Saint John's University and the College of St. Benedict who are interested in attending an alumni event for Common Hope. Board member Tom Joyce, SJU class of 1960, is planning an event for alumni to help support one of our partner schools. Please contact Colleen Tracy via email if you are interested in learning more. |
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