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San Rafael Update
Rocio Gonzalez, satellite coordinator, has begun to see a change over the course of her visits to the community of San Rafael.  “They listen to us.  I see the difference since we started school: the attendance is good and they are more confident about our presence there.”  The thanks is due in large part to the regular visits Rocio and other Common Hope staff are making to the community – like the visits she relates in the following story. 

Rocio wanted to learn what life was like on a Saturday in San Rafael, so one weekend she and several others went to find out.

The group came upon several clinic staff washing the hair of a group of children.  “Hygiene is a very important issue in the community, not just in school, ” says Rocio. 

The group joined in to help, and they came back the next several Saturdays, working with over 100 kids. They discovered that the kids needed additional training about the importance of cleaning their hands, hair, and face regularly.  Lice and fleas are prevalent, and stomach problems are one of the more serious issues caused by the lack of regular hygiene. 

About the visits, Rocio says, “It has been a great opportunity to get closer to the affiliated kids. … [It] gives us the opportunity to have more communication with them and talk more and more about the importance of education.” 

Now the teachers have begun to appreciate the benefits of the activity.  “Before I tried to get the teachers involved, but it did not work,” says Rocio.  However this week the teachers want to wash the hair of all the kids in the school.  They have asked me for shampoo, combs, and towels.  This is a very good initiative.”

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