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It's February and we are full speed ahead into 2017. The beginning of the year is an exciting time when we are kicking off our programs, welcoming new affiliated families, and helping students start the year off on the right foot and with all of their school supplies. All these activities set a pace that fills us with energy and excitement to kick off the year nurturing our partnerships and collaborations.
In Guatemala, on February 14th instead of Valentine's Day we celebrate
Dia del Cariño y Amistad, or
Affection and Friendship Day. It's a day where we take the time to show friends, family and colleagues how much we care for each other; we remind ourselves of
the impact friendships and affection have on our ability to work together and that every day and moment is a good one to be caring and loving. As some of you may imagine, it was fun to have the babies and toddlers from our daycare center come around and share valentines with different areas as well as find out who your secret valentine was through an activity that was organized at the library.
The affection and friendship symbolized by the month of February in Guatemala was especially evident during an all-staff assembly held on February 1st. Staff from all of our sites and programs came together to learn about the 2017-2020 strategic plan and how each one of us fits into carrying out that vision during the life of the plan--particularly during 2017. As a closing activity staff shared highlights from the past year; each story was marked by how we care for our friends and colleagues and the love we feel for the families and communities we work in. The stories from our colleagues made us laugh both with tears of joy and hope. Being together it was evident that colleagues are inspired to be members of Common Hope and that they feel privileged to be able to call this work. As this month comes to an end, I know we will carry out the spirit of affection and friendship which tends to our partnerships with families and the communities we work with for the next four years.
I wish you a wonderful 2017 filled with affection and friendships from Common Hope. Thank you to everyone who shares with and receives us in their lives.
Saludos,
Rebecca
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Common Hope | Familias de Esperanza has kicked off a new math program called AniMate, which stands for Animación Matemática. In English this translates to making math livelier, which is exactly what AniMate is doing as it makes math more accessible, understandable, and fun for students and teachers.
In February, we hosted workshops for 1st-6th grade Partner School teachers, giving them the opportunity to learn different math topics.
AniMate directly supports the Guatemala Ministry of Education's National Math Curriculum called Guatemática, and we have received endorsement from the Ministry to provide the AniMate program to teachers.
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From a student in the Antigua Daycare Center to a brick on the
Pathway of Dreams, Michelle Morales' story started long before she began working for Common Hope |Familias de Esperanza.
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Tell us about your recruitment strategy. How did you find people to join your team?
I set deadlines for myself. I wanted to have my whole team recruited in 3-4 weeks. My original plan to bring high school students didn't work out because of school schedules. So I went to plan b.
It was easy to recruit people! I used Facebook, actually. I ended up with an eclectic group of my friends and contacts. Our team is made up of men, women, and students from different professional backgrounds.
You and your team members have already exceeded your fundraising goal, and your trip is still months away. How did you do it?
The International Committee of the Sheboygan Rotary Club came up with an idea to host a fundraising event. We threw a cocktail party and invited all of the Club members plus our friends. For $50 guests received a great variety of food including jocon (Guatemalan chicken stew) and wine. We had an awesome turnout of about 60 people. I did a short 10-minute presentation about Common Hope and our upcoming trip.
It was a very successful fundraising event because Rotarians donated all of the food and wine, so 100% of the proceeds went to our fundraising goal.
What advice would you give to those who are worried about fundraising?
Have a strong message you want to communicate and ask with confidence! Go slow and steady. If you can't do one big "event," then just chip away at it. Try to do something small every month. Just keep at it!
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Here's what's coming up from Common Hope | Familias de Esperanza.
- The Strandemo & Friends Vision Team will be joining us in Guatemala. Follow their trip here.
- In March we will welcome Rotarians and Interacters from Wisconsin and Canada to Guatemala!
- Also in March we are welcoming three new members to our Executive Board of Directors.
- Mark your calendars for Noche de Colores on May 19, 2017. Tickets go on sale March 20, 2017.
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In case you missed it, here's what happened this past month.
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It's not just a volunteer abroad trip. It's a life-changing cultural immersion experience.
2017 DISCOUNT TRIP DATES!
September 3-10, 2017
September 17-24, 2017
DATES RESERVED FOR FAMILY TEAMS
July 16-23, 2017
July 30-August 6, 2017
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Tickets go on sale March 20, 2017. Stay tuned for more information!
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Shopping online? Use AmazonSmile and a portion of your qualifying purchases will benefit a charity of your choice.
Simply go to smile.amazon.com and search for Common Hope. Then, resume shopping as usual!
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WE WILL TAKE YOUR
BOX TOPS & MORE!
Did you know that Common Hope can use your Box Tops, Milk Moola, Loaves for Learning, and other clip-and-save program UPCs? Drop them off or mail them to our St. Paul office!
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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 14,000 children and adults as they work toward their goals of a better life.
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