Research has shown that educated girls can change the trajectory of their own lives, reverse the cycles of poverty, generate economic growth and in turn change their communities for the better. Educated women receive higher lifetime earnings and lead healthier, more productive lives, which significantly adds to the success of a society. Common Hope recognizes the need to educate and empower girls. There are 101 young women graduating in the Common Hope Class of 2021, the largest graduating class to date! The future is bright, and these women, like Andrea Pamela who is graduating as a preschool teacher, have the power to create a more peaceful and stable Guatemala. They will be leaders in their homes, places of work, and communities. Andrea Pamela and her family Although research supports the benefits of educating women, girls in many countries lack access to education or there is little priority put on their education. Only 25% of Guatemalan women attend secondary school. Girls experiencing poverty may often find themselves making hard decisions about their futures. Culturally, getting married young is common. But often early marriage promotes the cycle of poverty by leaving young women uneducated and dependent on their husbands. There are a multitude of barriers that keep women from accessing education: Poverty 26% of the population lives on less than $2/day and over 54% of Guatemalans live below the poverty line. Many young women often enter the workforce to help supplement extra income for their families. Impoverished households with multiple children may choose to invest in boys’ education rather than girls. Many young women often have to stay at home and tend to household chores and take care of younger siblings forgoing their education. Poorly Funded Education Systems Primary school is free and mandated in Guatemala but even then, it can be too expensive because families are required to buy their own books, uniforms, and school supplies for teachers and classrooms. When a family is simply trying to survive the money for school supplies and education are not the first priority. Lack of supplies makes it difficult to learn but there’s another problem that greatly hinders the quality of their education; teacher absenteeism. Teacher absenteeism is prevalent in Guatemala. Guatemalan schools do not employ substitute teachers. If a teacher fails to show, children go home—school is canceled. One less day to learn. Preschool graduate at New Hope School War and the crisis that followed Guatemala experienced a 36-year civil war that left the country with high rates of poverty, alcoholism, violence, mistrust and unemployment. Communities continue to battle the long-term challenges of this long war and the lack of stability still deters some young women from receiving adequate education due to safety concerns. When girls have access to education, they have more opportunities. They feel like they have the knowledge and power to make decisions in their households and communities. Girls who receive education grow into women who are empowered, educated and have the skills to be strong leaders that create change for years to come. Investing in girls’ education is one way to change the future. You can become a sponsor now and support education for a girl in Guatemala and a future leader! commonhope2stg.wpengine.com/sponsorship

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October, is an important holiday that seeks to honor and celebrate Native populations and their customs. It’s a day where Native culture, history and contributions should be embraced and brought to light. Today we will take a peek into the traditional clothing of Guatemala’s resilient Mayan women and girls. When you travel to Guatemala you’ll experience its beautiful traditions, languages, food, music and best of all, the people. Guatemala is made up of many different cultures, ethnicities and religions. All the people that make up Guatemala are unique in their own way but a group, indigenous to Guatemala, that vibrantly stands out is known as the Maya. When we say they stand out, we really mean it! The Maya wear colorful and intricate clothing called a traje [trah-hey]. The tools needed to create their ornate and detailed clothing dates back more than 1,000 years. The garments are handwoven from cotton using a backstrap or standing loom to weave the beautiful designs. Often times weavers will use natural dyes such as flowers, minerals and herbs to achieve the brilliant colors on their trajes. A picture is said to be worth a thousand words and the same can be said for the traje. The designs often portray symbols that give you a deeper insight into the individual wearing them. The handwoven designs may represent where an individual is from, their spiritual beliefs, personality, or they can even indicate the wearer’s marital status. From head to toe,  most traje ensembles are made up of four different articles of clothing, huipil (blouse), the faja (belt/sash), the corte (skirt) and the cinta (headband). Many Guatemalans wear trajes as a way to connect to their roots and feel more connected with their ancestors. The unique pieces of clothing give a quick glimpse into the lives of the resident and proud Maya that have been prospering for thousands of years. The clothing is still considered sacred to this day. To fully connect with the heart and soul of Guatemala you have to connect with its people. The people of Guatemala are the key to fully venturing into its vibrant culture. To fully immerse yourself into the culture learning about the tiniest details down to the clothing is key. The Maya’s beautiful clothing was in danger of disappearing due to colonization. It’s important to understand why the Maya boldly and proudly wear trajes instead of assimilating to keep their cultures alive. Common Hope proudly partners with the community of  San Rafael El Arado. This community is made of approximately 1,550 residents, all of who are Maya.

Photo above: New Hope School the day it opened 15 years ago. Since New Hope School opened its doors 15 years ago, it boasts a strong academic record and is regarded as the best academic institution in the area. “What makes New Hope School special is its essence, its nobility, its heart of service and its mission to generate hope and opportunity for everyone, not only the children but also for the families, teachers, and administrators.” – Elsa García, Director of New Hope School In 2020, 269 students in grades pre-k through 6th grade attended New Hope School. Common Hope supported an additional 236 students attending junior high, senior high, and vocational schools in the surrounding communities. In stark contrast to the national graduation rate of 18.6%, New Hope students are graduating at an average rate of 77%. Despite all of last year’s challenges, 30 New Hope students graduated from high school! Leslie Murga, New Hope Educational Support Programs Manager, has worked at New Hope School for nearly 14 years. She explains what sets New Hope School apart from others. “You enter the school and see it is not a normal school. It is a second home for some of the children. Every educational activity feels like a collaboration between the school and the community, which makes us feel like a family,” she commented. Leslie, pictured middle, with New Hope students (pre-pandemic) The education system was, and continues to be, greatly affected by the pandemic. The community of New Hope is located in a “red zone,” which indicates the highest amount of pandemic restrictions. These restrictions significantly affect the ability to deliver programs in the usual manner. Leslie Murga said that she misses the in-person classes and activities like art, sports, and interacting with students in the homework center. Fortunately, teachers and administrators at New Hope School have been working diligently to continue to adapt and develop new strategies to keep kids learning. These include weekly Zoom classes, utilizing WhatsApp to deliver daily lessons, and delivering printed learning guides to families’ homes. “It has been a challenge, but also a time when Common Hope families have come to life and exemplified a unified community like never before. The families have shown that we can count on them at all times,” said Elsa. Common Hope has seen first-hand that impacting a child’s understanding and value of education, particularly at the beginning of their academic career, can influence lifelong success. New Hope School has built a strong reputation for academic excellence due in part because of a focus on Early Childhood Education. From the age of four, the New Hope Early Childhood Program works to stimulate the brain and engage parents in a child’s development from the start, creating a culture of exploration and learning both inside and outside the classroom. In primary school, New Hope students receive an education rich in literacy and math––the school’s curriculum encourages active, engaged learning and critical and creative thinking, often not the case in a typical public school. Elsa García, who started at New Hope as a teacher and now serves as school director, has helped impact the curriculum. “Over the years, the teaching methodology, along with being sensitive and attentive to the needs of the students, has improved. We have been identifying the diversity in learning required for our students to be successful,” she said. Once in secondary school, New Hope students continue to have access to a variety of academic support programs like tutoring, after school homework help, a library and computer lab, and youth programs. In spite of the pandemic, New Hope School exceeded its promotion rate goal. Of the 510 total students from New Hope, 99% were promoted across all grade levels! What’s Next For New Hope 2020 New Hope Graduate The parents in the community of New Hope embraced education from the very beginning and as a result, the community has seen growth and prosperity over the last 20 years. The first students who attended New Hope School now have children of their own and there are marked differences between the generations. “I knew their parents and the biggest difference between these kids––now adults––and their parents is that they have choices,” said Renato Westby, Director of Education. Continuing, Renato observed, “They can choose where they want to live, what jobs they want, and where they want their kids to go to school. Their parents never had these opportunities…the opportunity to choose. This is what an education provided to them.” Looking forward, one of Common Hope’s long-term goals for New Hope School is to expand the number of secondary students supported by its programs. A long-term study demonstrated that graduates earn more, get better jobs, enjoy a higher standard of living, are in better health, and are more optimistic about the future. The school and its secondary programs will continue to foster a culture of exploration and learning that delivers long-term sustainable change by equipping students and parents with the tools and resources they need and desire for success. By supporting and growing education opportunities, the community will continue to thrive for the next 20 years and beyond. As Leslie Murga shared, “If the walls of New Hope School could talk, they would tell so many beautiful stories.” Elsa García added to this sentiment saying, “Whoever comes does not leave the same. It touches your mind, your heart, and your spirit. It changes your way of seeing life, processes, and people. Best of all, it gives you the opportunity to truly become and agent of change.” Common Hope looks forward to many more wonderful years of stories shared by agents of change in Nueva Esperanza.

Hosted and emceed by the young adults who live in New Hope, the anniversary activities were truly a celebration of el poder de la comunidad – the power of community! Renato Westby, Director of Education, has a long history with the community. As someone who served on the original community planning and development team 20 years ago, he witnessed the progress firsthand. “It was so amazing to see the first kids who attended New Hope School today! Today they are adults with kids of their own. Their outlook on life is so much more optimistic than their parents’ was and they bring a fresh energy and vision to the community,” Renato remarked. Preparing a Covid-19 safe activity was no small feat. As a part of the evening, a special tribute was included. Each family in New Hope created a poster that represented their favorite part of the community. The posters were displayed outside of their homes for a “parade of homes.” Then, Rebecca Sanborn, Country Director, selected three messages to highlight at the community celebration. Click here to see more photos from the parade of homes! Since its inception, New Hope residents have worked diligently to care for and improve their community. In honor of the special anniversary, Common Hope made a gift to help support a new communal outdoor space for the association. The new space includes a cement floor and trees for reforesting the green space. The renewed space, the camaraderie shared between neighbors, and a bright future define the New Hope community. Elsa García, Director of New Hope School, has worked in the school for 14 years and knows the community well. “New Hope is a family-oriented community with strong ties. It has its own challenges and neighbors have their differences, but they share a commitment to progress and willingness to work together,” said Elsa. She continued by saying, “Families are achieving their goals, improving their homes, and former students are supporting current students with after school jobs and volunteer programs (prior to the pandemic). All of this has led to greater development for the families.” Want to visit New Hope in 2021? Common Hope is celebrating the New Hope anniversaries with a very special day trip to the community in early November. This trip will be part of this year’s Día de Colores – Power of Hope Celebration Event November 3-7, 2021. Join us in Guatemala to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the graduating Class of 2021, the 35th Anniversary of the organization, and New Hope anniversaries. Learn more about the trip and register to attend! A BRIEF HISTORY OF NUEVA ESPERANZA (NEW HOPE) In late October of 1998, Hurricane Mitch swept through Central America devastating parts of Guatemala and displacing more than 700,000 people. In one particular village where the impoverished people were forced to live on the steep sides of the ravines, mudslides caused many of their homes to be wiped away in an instant. The staff at Common Hope knew they had to help, but rebuilding homes on the same ravines would only result in another future tragedy. Instead, they formed a plan in the spring of 1999 to build an entirely new community for these families. Through a series of alliances, the organization purchased 35 acres of land. This peaceful parcel became known as Nueva Esperanza, or New Hope. Twenty years later, what was a tragedy is now a celebration as the community gathers to commemorate these milestones!

In this month of May, Common Hope would like to acknowledge and celebrate all of the mothers and mother figures who give so selflessly in order for those they care about to achieve their dreams. To all of the mothers everywhere, you are appreciated! Common Hope understands that mothers are a child’s first teachers, their biggest fans, and they are often the emotional backbones of the family. Mothers like Doña Iliana, who leads her family with bravery and dedication, are everyday heroes working toward a better future––starting with their own families. Like most girls, Doña Iliana had many goals for her future. Growing up in a small town, she heard of women graduating from high school and getting great jobs. Although Doña Iliana dreamed of having a professional career, she faced many challenges as a young person that prevented her from continuing her education. “My parents struggled financially and only allowed the boys to study while the girls were required to earn an income,” said Dona Iliana. “I was only able to study through the 4th grade,” she continued. With her support and encouragement, Doña Iliana’s children took full advantage of all of Common Hope’s programs. Her oldest three children have graduated from high school. Most recently, her daughter Caterin graduated in 2019 with a teaching degree and is currently in her second year of university, not only studying math and physics – but also teaching those subjects at a local school! “I am so proud to say that I now have two teachers and one mechanic in my family. My children are achieving their dreams, which is what I always wanted for them,” said Doña Iliana Dona Iliana is a fearless mother who strived to create brighter futures for her kids. Now their dreams, and her dreams for them, are a reality. Her children are able to support themselves and that’s a big step forward for the entire family. When asked about what the future holds, Doña Iliana said, “I see a future where my family continues to achieve their goals. I would love to see them graduate from university. And I see my children being great role models for their own children.”

Update 4.26.2021 Happy 35th anniversary to each of you who have made Common Hope’s mission possible since our humble beginnings in 1986, when the Huebsch family made the decision to move to Guatemala to serve. This past year has certainly been different than any we’ve experienced before, but with your generosity hope continues to be a source of strength for us, and for those we serve. First, I want to thank you for walking alongside us during this time. Your generosity and support refuels us each day as we continue our efforts to have meaningful impact in supporting our families through the pandemic. Secondly, I’d like to share an update on what’s new in Guatemala and let you know that our work continues to serve our students and families. It has been a year of pivoting and we’ve termed a new phrase for ourselves – ‘covid-keepers’ – those pivots that will continue going forward. I’ll share a few of our keepers and other noteworthy updates below. Access to health care continues to be a critical need for our families – our first covid-keeper is our telemedicine line, which has provided access to health care for families throughout the entirety of this pandemic, and is still in use as a first connection. Now that the Antigua Clinic has re-opened to in-person visits by appointment, telemedicine continues to help families access the doctor even before they travel to the site. We are closely monitoring opportunities for our families to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and look forward to a time (in the hopefully near future) where it is available to everyone in Guatemala. Because of Common Hope’s medical programs, we had the good fortune to receive vaccinations for all of our Guatemalan staff this month, so now most have been vaccinated. Guatemala has a similar system of phases for vaccination as the US and the second phase of vaccination has just begun – allowing availability for people over the age of 70. Social workers have been busy contacting all Common Hope families with older family members who qualify for the vaccines to ensure they have information and access to these resources if they want it. The school year is underway, although it was a slow start this year. Classes began several weeks later than normal, and we had great hopes that students would have hybrid classes this year. To date, however, schools have been operating with distance learning, just as they did all of last year. We had several Covid-keepers last year in our education programs – ultimately allowing us to support more students in 2020 than ever before! By providing connectivity to students and forming a variety of support networks, we again have a network of homework groups for varied subjects, schools, and age groups. In addition – we have a homework help-line where any student can call in for 1:1 support if they need it. Our primary goals during distance learning are to support students in their homework and to reinforce important skill development for their progress in school, as we still are unable to gather in groups.  We were thrilled that 96% of our students were promoted to their next year – and we celebrated 174 graduates last November! As a result of the pandemic, we have also learned from some of the high schools we work with that there are students with one year of high school left who are unable to complete their education due to financial hardship. This year we are providing Scholarships for 35 students with one year left until graduation who wouldn’t otherwise be able to graduate – ensuring that they will reach their graduation despite financial hardship for their families. These are in addition to more than 100 new families and their children that begin their own education journey towards graduation this year. Our social workers are in regular contact with our families, and are resuming in person visits. Another covid-keeper – our families and social workers both report that they feel closer than they have in the past because of the more frequent contact that phone visits have allowed them over the past year – we will continue to do these going forward! We learned through a series of conversations with families that we have nearly 400 families that have ongoing food insecurity issues as a result of the pandemic. For these families we have established a plan for the balance of this year to support their needs on a regular basis. We will also be providing health and hygiene baskets to all of our families in the coming weeks because until vaccinations have been provided for everyone eligible, hygiene and masks will remain critically important. There is no one untouched by the impact of Covid-19, and that continues in 2021 for the families we serve. We are grateful to have sustained our programs despite the economic impact in 2020, but still need your help. Please consider a gift to offset the food insecurity faced by our families, and to ensure that they all have necessary masks and hygiene supplies so they are able to stay safe and healthy. To do so, please click here. However you can help, we are grateful. Together we will continue to make hope a source of strength. Mil gracias, Shari P.S. Please also consider joining us for our 35th anniversary celebration in Guatemala in November – we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our 2020 and 2021 graduates, the 20th anniversary of our work at New Hope, and the 15th school year at New Hope School!   More information is available! Click here.

“So much of what Common Hope provides to students and families is possible thanks to volunteers.” -Erin Treinen Erin Treinen and Lys Barrios ready to deliver school supplies in San Rafael Back to School is a favorite time of year for many Common Hope staff members, including Erin Treinen, Associate Director of Guatemala Visitor Experience & Sponsorship. Not having volunteers on-site to help deliver supplies made it feel a lot different this year. “Returning to Common Hope after the holiday break and getting ready for Back to School events is one of the highlights of the year,” said Erin. “We look forward to seeing students and families get their school supplies – their excitement and energy is really infectious! Going shopping for school supplies is a childhood memory for many. We try hard to generate that same excitement and enthusiasm for students here and get them excited to go back to school after a vacation,” Erin explained. In a typical year, Vision Team members and volunteers help execute Back to School events. These volunteers pack and organize bags, drive them to the community, and help distribute them. As many as 40 volunteers work alongside staff each year to deliver on this large operation. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Back to School looked quite different this year. “Volunteers are so critical to our Back to School events. They put in so many hours of hard work preparing, packing, loading, unloading, organizing, and distributing. Since we’re currently unable to host Vision Teams and volunteers, Common Hope staff had to adapt and we definitely felt the impact of not having our wonderful volunteers alongside us. They were greatly missed,” Erin shared. The broader impact of not being able to host any visitors and volunteers during the pandemic matters. “At Common Hope so much of what we are able to provide to students and families is possible thanks to volunteers. Volunteers build homes for families, help run the Early Childhood Center, provide activities for the Youth Groups, volunteer in our tutoring center, and even Common Hope’s Dental Program is 100% volunteer-run. And that’s really just a sampling of all that volunteers make possible,” she explained. “We miss them. This year, though, I cannot extend enough admiration for my colleagues here. Everyone is stepping up. Masking up. Keeping socially distant. And, putting families first. It’s truly been an incredible.” Erin’s sentiments are echoed across the departments and the families. In 2021, Common Hope restructured a number of areas as a result of key pandemic learnings. The sponsorship and visitor experience programs have merged and teams and programs in education, youth support, and technology, to name a few, have been organized and changed to drive more efficiency and incorporate key learnings that have presented during this pandemic. Sponsorship team members Marissa Vasquez and Isabel Romero Erin’s new role leading the merge of volunteers and sponsors will create new opportunities for cross functionality in both programs. “These programs are responsible for all visitors to Common Hope in Guatemala including Vision Team members, dentists and hygienists, volunteers, tour guests, and sponsors who come to visit their student during a trip to Guatemala or for graduation,” Erin explained. It’s exciting to consider cross-functionality to provide the best possible volunteer and sponsor experience for everyone! Common Hope looks forward to welcoming back visitors in 2022 (AND THE CALENDAR IS OPEN and filling up) once it is safe to do so. “This team of incredible women–– Lys Barios, Isabel Romero, and Marissa Vasquez–– are ready to tackle any challenge this pandemic throws at us. Between us we have 35 years of experience working with students, families, and visitors. We cannot wait to welcome you with open arms to this country we love, beautiful Guatemala,” said Erin.

It’s ‘all hands on deck’ to deliver school supplies (And we miss our volunteers!) In Guatemala, the school year typically starts in January and ends in late October. As the 2020 school year ended, education authorities in Guatemala worked to gauge the impact of the pandemic on students’ educational health looking at test scores, grades, and other indicators related to at-home learning. Guatemala’s Ministry of Education made slight adjustments to the 2021 school year to react to ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic. This resulted in a delay to the start of classes for many students. Common Hope students are continuing with remote learning and will migrate to hybrid learning later this year, and possibly in-person learning if deemed safe. Since the school year start was delayed, Common Hope’s delivery of supplies was rescheduled from January to mid-March. Setting up for Back-to-School in Antigua Core to ensuring students can pursue their education, Common Hope provides school supplies to all 3,118 Common Hope students. All delivered in just three weeks! From an operational standpoint, delivery of these school supplies takes tireless hours of planning and coordination…and a lot of people power. Because of the pandemic, planning pivoted to ensure every step was executed safely. A family from New Hope with their school supplies! Common Hope students attend 120+ schools and each school and grade level has unique requirements for supplies, books, uniforms, and shoes. All of this is coordinated, tracked, purchased, packaged, and delivered. Sponsors and volunteers are at the heart of making school supplies a part of every student’s educational resource package. Thanks to more than 3,000 sponsors, Common Hope secures necessary financial support to offset the cost of school supplies. Students who do not have a sponsor still receive supplies funded through unrestricted donations. School supplies have never been more important. In a time of rising Covid-19 cases, ensuring students have the resources they need to learn from home is critical to ongoing educational growth. Making sure that every child has what they need to learn from home is directly connected to motivating a student to continue studying. Thousands and thousands of sheets of paper, crayons, pens, notebooks and more become even more important in the face of making your two room house also your school. This year, 600+ students without sponsors were given books, pens, paper, in some cases data plan cards and others new shoes. ALL are now fully prepared for at home learning. In the face of poverty, making your home your school can be daunting. Common Hope can use your help funding school supply supports. Please consider making a gift of $45 to help. Click Here! Click below to see more photos from Common Hope’s Back-to-School events! See back-to-school Photos

Affiliation is Where the Partnership Begins “To serve is my passion. To listen, to be respectful, and to be kind is something I learned from my parents.” – Aracely Perez All great partnerships must have a starting place, a beginning. At Common Hope, that great partnership starts with affiliation. Affiliation is the beginning – that moment when a partnership is born between parent, student, and Common Hope. One could liken it to an application process for being admitted to college. The process begins with forms, ensures fixed criteria are met, continues with interviews and home visits, and culminates in acceptance or affiliation. This is the beginning of a partnership that will put educational health and achievement as a priority. That being said, introducing the AFFILIATION program and team seems a good place for this new “INSIDE THE PROGRAM” feature to begin. Ensuring the right fit, that Common Hope is the right partner, and that families are ready and understand the partnership is critical to producing successful outcomes. Thankfully Common Hope’s rock star duo, Carmen and Aracely, have been leading the affiliation efforts for a decade and are as committed today as they were on day one to help everyone that becomes part of the Common Hope family. It’s easy to understand their passion and why they are so good at what they do. Balancing need, criteria, and potential is delicate, sensitive work. It requires understanding, history, and trust – all skills both Carmen and Aracely have mastered during their combined 37 years of work at Common Hope. As a young girl, Carmen dreamed about working at a hotel. She loves to make conversation and thought working at the hotel would bring lots of opportunities to meet people. Unfortunately, she’ll openly share that her father struggled with alcoholism, which impacts the entire family. Like so many fathers in Guatemala, he also did not think Carmen needed to study. Why? Because she was a girl. Luckily for Carmen (and Common Hope), her mother didn’t share this same belief. She supported Carmen’s desire to learn and go to school. Despite the difficulty, Carmen found her way and graduated high school. (According to UNESCO, the female literacy rate is 10% lower than that of their male counterparts in Guatemala.) It happens that, at the time of Carmen’s graduation, her mother came to the Common Hope campus to sell fruits and vegetables. She overheard there was a receptionist position available and told Carmen to apply. Carmen did and got the job! Imagine being hired as a receptionist in a time before phones were commonplace in Guatemala. Carmen explains, “There was no phone back then. I had to run from place to place to deliver messages.” On many of these “runs,” she had the opportunity to talk with families and hear many of their stories. She loved it. It is what lead her to become a social worker and eventually to her position as Affiliations Manager. When you meet Carmen, you soon realize why this job is perfect for her. Even though she admits that it is hard to listen to families’ struggles, she knows that her work can make a difference. Carmen is a great listener, and it is no wonder families feel compelled to share their lives with her. Carmen is one half of this great affiliations team, and Aracely is the other half. Aracely, too, is a testament to what a partnership with Common Hope can mean. “To serve is my passion. To listen, to be respectful, and to be kind is something I learned from my parents,” she says. She knows first hand that family involvement in a child’s education is a powerful influence. For a partnership to be successful, it requires mutual collaboration, support, and participation. She has lived this experience. A struggling family, she and her siblings used to sleep in the same room before their affiliation with Common Hope. But that all changed. And, now, she is helping others’ lives change. “My parents are hard-working people who have taught me the value of education. I want to share that.” In fact, Aracely laughed, saying, “in the early days, people in town were skeptical about Common Hope because they thought they would send their children to the United States if they became a part of the program.” Her parents gave Common Hope a shot anyway. In her role, Aracely oversees the process for when a family leaves the program or disaffiliation. Today, the most common reason students and families leave Common Hope is because they have moved out of the area or decided to go to work to provide income for the family. Maintaining the requirements of the partnership is a critical element of the Common Hope model. Aracely’s work ensures that a dignified, respectful, collaborative partnership is at the core of all relationships. Together, Carmen and Aracely make a dynamic duo. They are the face of the beginning of a family’s partnership with Common Hope, literally. And they are the ones that help families move on to the next part of their journey when their partnership with Common Hope ends – be it graduation, moving, or sometimes choosing to leave school. Carmen and Aracely play a critical role in starting and transitioning a family’s success at Common Hope.

Photo: Rebecca S. welcoming new families to the program! (Photo from January 2020) This is such a special time of the year at Common Hope. Not only does January 1st present a fresh start to a new year, but this season marks the start of the school year and 200+ new students joining the ranks of “Common Hope Students” and future alumni! Last November, despite a pandemic and distance learning challenges, Common Hope celebrated 172 graduates! These students are making their way into the world of work and becoming agents of change in their communities to make a better Guatemala. As these students head into jobs and careers and new beginnings, Common Hope is busy prepping for a whole new class of aspiring graduates! This month, social workers began onboarding 220 new students from 136 new families as they start their partnership with Common Hope. Each year, growing success means more and more graduates (from 161 in 2019 to 172 in 2020 – a 7% increase) are leaving Common Hope prepared for the future. Common Hope is thrilled that this success means the opportunity to welcome more and more new affiliates (Common Hope’s term for new students, families, and siblings) each year. This year’s new families represent students of all ages, from four years old to 18 years. In all, Common Hope students represent 123 schools throughout 27 communities. The team is excited to bring hope and opportunity into their lives! The new affiliates’ commitment comes in the midst of a pandemic – one that makes navigating the educational landscape an even greater feat (as you know if you were able to join the 35th Anniversary Zoom Series: The Power of Education on February 15). Common Hope is here to support their journey. There is no denying the POWER OF HOPE that surrounds these new family members. After waiting months––sometimes years––and completing an extensive interview and verification process, families that meet the defined criteria are welcomed as the organization’s newest partners in hope. “We see families with happy tears when they learn they will become a part of the Common Hope familia,” shared Rebecca Sanborn, Country Director. “The affiliation team works closely with the social work team to make sure that every family understands what this new partnership will mean and what resources are available to them. There are many amazing parts of the Common Hope model but one of the most significant is the customized, individualized way that the team works with each family to meet their individual needs.” Even in a pandemic, the commitment of inspired social workers is clear. This team is meeting each family at their home in a safe way to ensure that the power of this partnership is the foundation for all things to come. So, on behalf of the Common Hope team, BIENVENIDOS A LA FAMILIA!

Just a small part of a network of programs that make a student’s journey a successful experience.” -Nineth Garcia One barrier to education for families in Guatemala is the cost associated with going to school. While public school can be “free” through 6th grade, once in 7th grade, parents must pay annual registration fees and monthly fees, among other miscellaneous fees. As a part of the Common Hope model, the scholarship department (Becas) was developed to administer financial resources, school supplies and uniforms to schools and families, regardless if the student has a sponsor or not. Common Hope pays between 80-100% of of tuition and fees depending upon the family’s financial capabilities. Nineth Garcia, Gerente Administrativa de Becas One of many important departments at Common Hope, the Scholarship team is critical in maintaining and building partnerships with every school Common Hope students attend. Nineth Garcia, Gerente Administrativa de Becas (Manager of Scholarship Administration) leads the team to do this important work. The relationships the Scholarship team has with both families and schools are essential to their success and to achieving their dreams of a high school diploma. Nineth joined Common Hope in 1998 as a receptionist. She not only advanced her career at Common Hope over the years, but she attended university while working. Today, she holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Analysis Reliability. Her skills and 22-year history make this program one of Common Hope’s best. The Scholarships team is four strong including Nidya Gonzalez, a Common Hope graduate and staff member for 15 years (click here to hear her story), Luis Pichilla, a ten-year veteran, and Victor Martinez, new to the team but not Common Hope––he has been with the foundation for 14 years. All in, that makes for a combined 61 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE helping students and families navigate the school system. The Becas Team: Victor Martinez, Nineth Garcia, Nidya Gonzalez, and Luis Pichilla This team works closely with 110 different schools to make sure that fees/tuition, uniforms, school supplies, books, and transportation needs are met. Nineth will tell you that their work is just one piece in the puzzle. She says scholarships are “just a small part of a network of programs that make a student’s journey a successful experience.” When asked, Nineth will quickly share with pride that there are many stories that inspire her every day.  Recently she told a story about Miguelito, a Common Hope student that wanted to become a teacher but suffered from a vision impairment. His mom had doubts about helping him pursue his dream because she thought it would be too hard for him. Nineth was able to work with the school and Miguelito’s mother to find a solution to the challenge. Miguelito started taking his tests verbally. And, guess what? Miguelito graduated! And he now teaches at a school for the blind. Nineth still remembers the day she saw him walk on the Pathway of Dreams to receive his teaching degree. These stories of inspiration are her motivation for continuing to work hard for Common Hope students. “What motivates me is being able to support the people of Guatemala. It isn’t always easy, but the love and commitment of the students and the team is what keeps me going,” Nineth said. Nineth is also excited to offer additional help to a special group of 35 students in 2021. This year, in response to increased financial insecurity for students not in the Common Hope program, the team is ready to help. After learning from teachers in partner schools that some students who had only one year left of school were planning to drop out because they could not afford it, an idea took shape. Because of Nineth’s strong relationships with schools and quick thinking, Common Hope is stepping in. This year, Common Hope is helping 35 students by providing scholarship-only support for one year––their senior year––so that after years of hard work they don’t miss out on getting their diploma. “This is a great way for Common Hope to help in the face of a pandemic,” Shari Blindt, Executive Director shared. “We’re glad to deepen our partnership with schools and support families in local communities to make a better Guatemala.” The Scholarship Department’s work is more than just a piece of the puzzle––it could be said it is the four corners––and thankfully, Nineth and team and their 61 years of experience have created the foundation for great things.

“We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.” -Orison Swett Marden This quote from Orison Swett Marden seems to embody the spirit of parents seeing their children on the day of their high school graduation. After years of hard work, time invested, sacrifices made, growth and cultivation – the feeling of a parent seeing their child in a cap and gown is indescribable. Every year, Common Hope students, parents, staff, and sponsors come together to celebrate this incredible milestone. This year, however, presented a challenge. How do you celebrate graduation at a time of social distancing? One of the first ways Common Hope adapted the graduation experience was by offering virtual job preparation. Every year Common Hope offers job placement workshops to its graduating class to prepare them as they enter the job market. The students were unable to physically come to Common Hope sites workshops were delivered virtually. Crafting a resume, writing a cover letter, and interviewing are core elements covered in the workshops. The goal of the workshop is to arm students with tools for them to find the job they want. Common Hope was forced to think outside of the box and get creative when it came down to honoring this achievement. The organization developed a plan for students to come to the project and honor their hard work and commitment over the years.  By creating a complex schedule over three weeks and by increasing and enforcing strict health protocols, Common Hope was able to welcome graduates and families on site. In addition, through the support of transport logistics to get families to Common Hope’s sites and home again, 180 students and their parents were able to enjoy a socially distant and Covid-safe graduation event. During this out of the ordinary year, Common Hope celebrated sponsors of graduates and their role as well! Sponsors were invited to participate in the GRADUATE | SPONSOR SALUTE. The Salute included a video exchange with graduating students, a zoom series to go deeper in the journey of graduates, and a gift to recognize their support. Thirty-eight sponsors chose to be part of the Salute. When graduates of participating sponsors came to the site for their brief photo session, they also received a video from their sponsor, congratulating them on their achievement. The graduate then recorded a video – which was translated in real time – and sent to each sponsor. The messages between sponsor and student were uplifting, encouraging, and emotional. New seeds to be planted and bloom As 2020 is coming to a close, these 180 students are inspiring! Graduating despite the odds, they are equipped with the necessary tools and skills to secure a job in the formal sector and end the cycle of poverty! See Graduation Photos