In the month of June, we celebrate a very important group of people—Fathers! Common Hope would like to celebrate all fathers who are there as friends, mentors, teachers, and caretakers. Fathers influence us in many ways, lift us up when we are down, and shape our lives for the better.
To honor fathers, we wanted to share inspiring and heartwarming stories of fathers from the Common Hope family. Not only do they support and care for their own families but they are active participants in helping families in Guatemala. Their commitment to their own families and the families they serve is admirable and for that we thank them. Thank you to all fathers and father figures who go above and beyond for their families, and friends, and play pivotal roles in their communities.
Sharing their stories:
Juan Santos, Housing Program Coordinator
Q: What is your favorite part of being a father?
A:The opportunity to learn every day from my daughters to be a good dad.
Q: How has being a father made you a better leader at work? Do you notice a difference in the commitment you have to the families you serve?
A: Every time we visit a family to build a house, I see the children and think about how my daughters are able to have opportunities that many children don’t have, and that motivates me to change the conditions for them in their housing.
Q: What is your hope for your daughters?
A: That they become successful women with college careers and above all that they never lose empathy for those who need our help the most.
Q: What is your favorite activity to do with your daughters?
A: Reuniting at the dinner table and sharing how everyone is doing and getting to discuss dreams and ideas. At that moment we can talk about how we can support each other and clarify many things such as misunderstandings or situations that happen in the family.
Yonatan Jeronimo, Technology Facilitator
Q: What is your favorite part of being a parent?
A: My children make me feel like I have superpowers that have the power to heal. If only they knew that they are the ones who give me the strength to keep dreaming.
Q: How has being a father made you a better leader at work? Do you notice a difference in the commitment you have to the families you serve?
A: I think and feel as if I am the kids’ father when I help, advise, and support them. I listen to their problems and invite them to keep trusting in themselves while also showing them that everything has a solution as long as it is done with faith.
Q: What advice do you have for parents or parental figures?
A: Listen to children. Gifts, luxuries, and trips aren’t what matters–what matters is to listen, support, guide, and love them. Listen to them to make them feel that they are important in our lives and that they are fundamental for us to continue being those heroes called dads.
Jerson Santos, Housekeeping
Q: What is your favorite part of being a parent?
A: My favorite part is being by my little girl’s side and enjoying every day of the baby stage. Her first words were “PAPA.”
Q: What was your father’s role in your life and how does that influence the way you parent your children?
A: My dad is a great person, he taught us to respect others, that we are all equal, and that despite difficulties you can always come out ahead. He taught us to never give up and to be responsible, so I want to follow his example so that my daughter will be a great person.
Q: What is your favorite activity to do with your daughter?
A: Playing with her, watching her favorite shows, teaching her to take her first steps, (I was nervous to let her go) being her with is the best thing.
Francisco Berganza, Systems Analyst
Q: How has being a father made you a better leader at work? Do you notice a difference in the commitment you have to the families you serve?
A: It helps me think more clearly and I take time to reason and look at the best options. I see a lot of crossovers between my role as a dad and my role at the Common Hope team, as I can apply the same care and support to the students we work with.
Q: What is your hope for your children?
A: My hope for them is to make them good people, with the necessary skills to be loving, responsible, respectful, and exemplary.
Q: What advice do you have for fathers or father figures?
A: Enjoy your children, you have to guide them, within a father they see a superhero and they view you as the best dad in the world. Take advantage of the time you have with them to create or strengthen the relationship bond.