Summarized translation of interview with Doña Carmelina:

We have been living in this house for….ay….when was it built again? October. Ah, yes, the 24 of October, I think. No, it was the 25th of October. About 8 months ago. Yes, the 25th of October.

Since the construction of the house, we have been a lot more comfortable—we are living so much better, we aren´t all squished in the one house! Here in this room, is where my husband and I sleep, as well as the 2 boys in one bed, and Angela Maria in the other bed.

Our plans for the future include to keep moving forward—to keep the kids studying hard and doing well in school, to find work for everybody, and this way everything gets better, isn´t that right?

Yes I remember the people who came to build our house, but I am not very good with names, I don´t remember their names! But yes of course I remember them. They were a big group of gringos who came to work, and they were so nice. I remember one woman especially who really liked Don Pablo! To me, they were a wonderful group of workers. They even left my house clean and swept, they swept up all the dirt and sawdust that there was. I remember that very well.
I would like to thank them all from the bottom of my heart—it was a special week, and when they came afterwards to bless the house, that was very special too. I want to thank them so much, as well as Common Hope for all of their support.

(Could we see a little bit of the inside of the house?)
This is how Doña Carmelina and her family have arranged the house in the 8 months that have passed since its construction.

Carmelina: I like to keep the house nice and organized like this, with everything on the edges so that there´s space in the middle.

Muchas gracias!

In September of 2010, Common Hope was visited by a wonderful group of people from Holy Name Church, Minnesota, on a Vision Team led by Greg Scherer. Their devotion and passion to Common Hope´s mission made them an exceptional team—hardworking and dedicated. They had the opportunity to build a house for a special family with very dear children. Here, with social worker Ada, we talk with Doña Cecilia and her children, and reflect on how the family has been doing in the past months now that they have a new home.
We have been living in this house for seven months now. Some of the changes we have seen is that our family is doing so well now! Very well.
(Ada: Could we see some of the rooms? Children: HERE THEY ARE! HERE THEY ARE!)
In here, Abelino and Rogelio sleep.
(Rogelio: I sleep right there!)
In the other room is where Julia and Amalia sleep.
Our next goal as a family is to obtain running water. We are going to work more hours at the project site to get our own running water, and a stove also!
We remember the people who came to build the house—some of the names that we remember are Kevin and Joel, but all of them were so great and really good at building houses, they knew how to make the floors, the roof, everything! (They made a great patio, said Rogelio.)
We would like to send them a message—we want to thank them so much for coming to build the house, and we hope they are all doing well and in good health.

How did you become involved with Common Hope?
I became connected with Common Hope years ago. I was Dave Huebsh’s supervising teacher when he was practice teaching in English. When he went to Guatemala and started the Godchild Project [Common Hope’s name in the early days], we sponsored a child. My wife and I have sponsored a child—or two or three or four—since that time. I made my first trip to Common Hope in Antigua four years ago. The trip reaffirmed what I already believed. That it is dedicated to serving the Guatemalan people, particularly its children, in effective, caring ways. It serves the whole needs of the client families, concentrating on educating children and also meeting the need for housing, better diet, family counseling, health and other child services. I was impressed by New Hope Village and its fine school. My first team was lucky enough to be there when the school was dedicated.

Why do I continue to support Common Hope and keep coming back?
First, I wanted my family to witness life in a poor nation and how each of us can help to improve conditions. I wanted them to see  that these people have aspirations similar to ours—and need opportunity through education to fulfill these goals. So, every two years I bring two grandchildren who have reached the age of 15 with me for a wonderful learning experience. (This year I brought one granddaughter and her mother.) The experience has been both life-changing and life-affirming for them. Each pair sponsors a child (with some financial help from grandpa) and each would like to return after completing their education.

What is my favorite part about the Vision Team experience?
It is hard to limit it to one experience. The sponsorship visits are meaningful—one can see directly the results of our involvement. When I ask my grandchildren what their favorite part was, each has had the same answer—building a home for a deserving family. For me, seeing Common Hope work “close-up.” You have some dedicated, skillful people working productively to help the people. I have great memories of all of them. We all have learned so much about the way the people live and work and their competence and skill. We have enjoyed the coffee tours, the trips to the weaving cooperative, the artisans that we have met. One could go on and on—but you get the picture. Antigua is a fascinating historical site. The beauty of the mountains lining the valley is awesome. One cannot forget how the Vision Teams themselves are transformed—we “grow together” through this shared experience.

What changes have you witnessed?
There are changes. I see progress being made in the lives of the clients. I see an expansion of services. I see a broader range of programing and involvement. I see a growing number Guatemalan empolyees embracing leadership positions now—this can only bring a broader, more insightful, effective role for Common Hope.

I have sponsored several children. It has been meaningful to my wife, my children, my grandchildren and myself. Two years ago, a child we sponsored graduated from high school. This year, we met for the first time our sponsored child, Victor, in San Rafael—an exciting day!  We are convinced that we are a valuable source for those we sponsor.

What is one thing you can say to encourage people to sponsor children and support Common Hope’s work?
I believe that for a modest investment, the rewards are great. For a few dollars a month, you can impact the life a child and that child’s family. You are helping a child reach his potential by sending him to school, providing health care, and—in some cases—a better diet. Who knows what future leader you are sponsoring?

There is so much more to be said. In a couple of weeks, we will do a forum at the coffee hour between services. We hope to share this experience with the congregation and—I hope—increase our number of sponsors.  For the last several years, our family has exclusively drunk Guatemalan coffee from As Green as It Gets, and we hope to be able to use this at our church. Already, we have people talking about making another Vision Team trip.

Caption: Ron Anderson (second from right), paints chairs for the sponsorship correspondence room with members of his Vision Team.

Summarized translation of interview with Doña Bertha:

We have been the caretakers on this property for six years, so we waited a long time to build this house. It’s really been a wonderful change for our family to have this house, because beforehand, we were all squished together in one single room to live in. We all slept in the same room. Now, thanks to God and thanks to Common Hope for giving us this house, we are very happy here. We have much more space.

My three daughters use this house as their sleeping space. My husband and I recently decided to paint the outside of the house, so it would look pretty. Please come in and see the house.

My daughters are very happy to have this space, and they all have space for their things. This room was a very important goal for our family. Our main goal is always the education of our children. Our oldest daughter is about to begin her fourth year in high school and is studying to be a preschool teacher. Sonia is attending a school called “Brillos del Sol.” Our youngest daughter is starting middle school next year. We talk about their education every day, and we are all happy to see their progress.

We remember the people who built our house very well. It was a very happy time to have them here – we all worked together. They sent us a book of pictures. These are the people who built our house. My husband also helped them build the house. I wish I could remember all of their names! They were such nice people. I remember one woman is named Barbara.

I would like to send a message of thanks to each and every one of them. They really helped us when they came to build our house. We’re so grateful to Common Hope and to the team.

Thank you for the hard work that you did to realize this ambition of building a house. We are very grateful to you.