Dear ,

 

We've got lots of news we're excited to share with you in this month's issue! You will read about how a group of mothers came together to plan a family fair as a way to promote early childhood reading. You will also learn something new about school supplies in Guatemala and all the ways you can make education possible for our students. Lastly, you will read a touching story about a sponsor whose dreams came true when she had a surprise Skype visit with her former sponsored student, now a successful leader in his community with a family of his own. 

 
 
NEWS 
FROM GUATEMALA
 

Mothers organize

Family Fair to promote reading in Santa Catarina

The Early Childhood Reading Program partnered with the Nurturing Parenting Program to organize a Family Fair last month, an event geared towards promoting reading at an early age. Mothers showcased what they learned in these programs and participated side by side with Common Hope staff and children in this fun-filled day of books and games!

 

 

 
 
SUPPORTERS
IN ACTION
 

A surprise Skype visit

makes a former sponsor's dream come true

Sharon started to sponsor Victor Hugo when he was 7 years old-- that was 24 years ago! Over the years, they exchanged letters, photos and stories, then Hugo graduated and they lost contact. Find out how a 20th anniversary at work made this former sponsor's decades-long dream come true.

  
 READ MORE 
 

 
 
GET
INVOLVED
 

You may not know this about school supplies

School supplies are much more than pencils, scissors and paper for our students in Guatemala--they are the key that opens the door to education. On average, one year's worth of supplies costs $75 per student, while the average family only earns $236 per month and is generally made up of at least 6 members. Needless to say, paying for an education is a burden that most of our families cannot face alone. 


You can make education possible for more than 3,300 students in Guatemala by getting involved in our 2015 School Supply Drive. It's easy and any amount helps those we serve! Here are a few ways you can make a difference today:

 

Give a financial gift

  1. Make a donation online. Please write: "school supply drive" in the space labeled: Gift in Honor/Memory of

  2. Email Kallie Sandell or call her at 651.287.0712

Purchase supplies online & have them shipped 

  1. Buy & ship supplies via our Target registry

  2. Buy & ship supplies via our Amazon list    Click here for online purchasing instructions

Organize your own school supply drive

  1. Use our 2015 School Supply Drive Toolkit to get started, or visit our website for more information & resources

Purchase supplies & drop them off at our office

  1. Reference our needs list 

  2. Fill a shoebox full of school supplies

For more information about the 2015 School Supply Drive, email Kallie Sandell or contact her by phone at 651.287.0712 

 
 
YOU CAN 
HELP
 
A little girl who has 
traveled great distances
for a chance at education

Meet 7-year-old Laura. She's in first grade and she loves to draw pictures and jump rope. She is a responsible little girl who does her homework every day after lunch, and all by herself, too! When she's all grown up, she wants to be a doctor.

Laura comes from an indigenous family. She, her parents and her four siblings had to move and find a new home where they could work and go to school, because they couldn't do either where they lived before. The family's native tongue is Quiche, but they have learned to speak Spanish. Laura's parents sell ice cream from a cart and their income depends on how much they sell. On Sundays, the whole family helps to earn money by selling chewing gum.

 

Laura's parents are very dedicated to their children's education; they want nothing more than for their children to stay in school so that they can have a better future. They are very involved in their children's education and Laura's mother participates in educational support programs with her children, too. They came to Common Hope because their dream is to see their children graduate with a degree.

 

Give Laura the encouragement she needs to stay in school and become her sponsor today.You can send an email to Teresa Hermodson-Olsen, call 651.917.1045, or sponsor her online.

  
 

 

6TH ANNUAL COMMON HOPE GOLF CLASSIC
 

 

We will celebrate our 6th annual golf classic on August 3rd, 2015 at Mendakota Country Club. For more information, visit our website.

 

Two foursomes have recently opened up! Come join us for a day of golf and take your chance at some of these great auction items!

 

If you'd like to bid absentee on these items, attend the event, or become an event sponsor, email Michelle d'Almeida or call her at 651.287.0717

 

AUCTION ITEMS:

 

- Two tickets for Thursday round and opening Ceremony of the Ryder cup at Hazeltine, plus a round of golf at Hazeltine with CH board member Bob Fafinski
 

- Two complimentary tickets to The Masters Practice Round with the winning bid on a two night stay in a private residence at Reynolds Plantation
 

- One week stay at The Residences at The Landings Country Club in Ft. Myers, FL

 

- $500 gift card towards a stay at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors, MN
 

- Be the helicopter ball dropper on the day of the tournament and enjoy a 15 minute helicopter ride with a friend

 

- Autographed Kevin Garnett jersey
 

- Bottle of Premium Guatemalan Rum & 6 bags of Caf� Felix Guatemalan coffee

 

THANK YOU SPONSORS!
 
- AbeTech
- Zebra Technologies
- B & D Plumbing, Heating &
- Air Conditioning
- UBS
- Snap Fitness
- Tria Orthopaedic Center
- Audiology Concepts
- All Over Media
- MN Bank and Trust
- Oak Grove Capital
- Honeywell
- Canetani Vacation Properties
- Ameripride
- MN Timberwolves/Lynx
- Blue Star
- Vertical Systems
- Tom Sullivan


 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
USE YOUR SPANISH SKILLS
 

 

Are you looking to use or enhance your Spanish language skills? If so, we have a great opportunity for you! We are looking for volunteers to help us translate sponsorship letters from English to Spanish in our St. Paul office. Commitment and scheduling is flexible!

 

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact our sponsorship coordinator Teresa by email or call her at 651.917.1045

 



 
VISION TEAM
OPENINGS IN 2015 & 2016
 

Ready to visit Guatemala, volunteer for Common Hope, and create memories that will last a lifetime? Organize or join a Vision Team!
 

August 2-9, 2015

 

August 30-Sept. 6, 2015 - Available to individual joiners!

 

April 17-24, 2016

  

Email Brianna Jensen to schedule your team today!

 

 




 
PHRASE OF THE MONTH
EN ESPA�OL
 
"Por si las moscas."
  
(por-see-las-m�se-kas)
  
Literal: "if the flies"
Meaning: "in case"

"Ll�vese un paraguas, por si las moscas."
 
"Take an umbrella with you, just in case [it rains]."
  


 
NOTES FROM
THE FIELD
 
 
Keep up throughout the month with our blog, Notes from the Field. Recent posts include a story about an exemplary father dedicated to his children's education and a recipe for Guatemalan beef stew.

 

 OUR BLOG �
 




 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
UPCOMING EVENTS
 

Here are a few upcoming events to mark on your calendars:
  
August 3: Common Hope Golf Classic

November 4-8: 2015 Graduation Celebration trip

November 7: Graduation Ceremony & Reception
  
All event details can be found on our Events Calendar!



  
EDUCATING
CHILDREN
EMPOWERING
FAMILIES

Common Hope was established in 1986 to bring hope and opportunity to families living in poverty in Guatemala. Since then we have grown to serve more than 11,000 children and adults as they work toward their goals of a better life. 
 


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