Greetings friends of Common Hope, I’m back and I’m very happy to be in Guatemala again.  

I spent four years with Common Hope between December 2001 and August 2004 working in the Social Work department.  Upon my return to Mexico I started looking for a job, hoping to work in a social organization, but in the end working as a tax lawyer for the Mexican government.

I spent almost seven months doing a lot of paperwork, feeling sad and missing the life and work in Guatemala. I was constantly speaking about Guatemala.  I missed Common Hope and the families that were a part of it. Finally, my friends said to me “What are you doing here? Rocio, your heart is in Guatemala, you should go back.” So, I listened to my heart, and their advice, and I returned.

Since January 2007 I have been in Guatemala again working in a different and challenging job: researching potential sites for the new Common Hope outpost.

The idea of bringing services and offering help to more communities is very exciting. I enjoy being part of the growth and development of Common Hope and the communities of Guatemala. It is full of challenges and opportunities for Common Hope and the people of Guatemala.

During my visits to potential Outpost Common Hope satellite sites, I have witnessed very different types of poverty. Some are urban communities, located outside Guatemala City.  Others are in very rural places with diverse, rich environments. Most communities are so poor and faced such hardships that they saw (see) little hope for improvement in their lives.

It’s great to be back working with the affiliated families, volunteers and workers at Common Hope´s Antigua site, New Hope Village and now the new communities. I am continuing to learn from my experiences here.  This has been a very productive period in my life. I have had the chance to visit new places, to be in Mexico, and now to return to my second home, Guatemala. 

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