Below, I report the answers from some of Common Hope’s long-term volunteers, who reflected on their experiences in Guatemala.

Viola Pumpure
Hospitality Director
From Riga, Latvia
“I’m grateful for an opportunity where I can see what’s on the other side of the wall, learning what life is like in Guatemala.”

Abigail Headrick
Hospitality Team Coordinator
From Half Moon Bay, California, USA
“This week I’m thankful for the staff’s support of my work; they motivate me if I have a bad day and make me want to commit to more time as a volunteer.”

Jessica Witt
Speech Therapist
From New York Mills, Minnesota, USA
“Recently I’ve had a lot of people coming in to evaluate hearing loss. I’m thankful we have staff that refers students and parents to us, that we have the equipment to test for hearing loss, and that we have access to hearing aids and services to help people better communicate with their families.”

Alan Iverson
Pre-school and Legal Program Support
From Moorhead, Minnesota, USA
“I get to be working for an organization that is doing important work. I am in a new place, doing something new that will be a good experience for whatever’s next in life.”

Lisa-Marie Bruce
Housing Construction, English Teacher, Tour Guide, Education Consultant…
From Derwood, Maryland, USA
“I appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to change my perspective and recognize what I’d always taken for granted, like health care, housing and education. I’ve realized that the basic things I grew up with are luxuries.”

Lynn Miller
Library Support and Vision Program Coordinator
From Toronto, Canada
“I get to be with kids all day – I’m not responsible for them but get to enjoy them!”

Krista Lengacher
Hospitality Team Coordinator
From Denver, Colorado, USA
“I’m grateful that the vision teams and tourists who I work with have such a good attitude to be giving up their vacation time and spending it by helping out wherever it’s needed.”

Javod Sheikhizadeh
Primary Care Clinic
From Olympia, Washington, USA
“I’m thankful for how welcoming people have been here, despite being behind the curve with language and medical abilities; they always help me up when I trip. This eternal spring thing is pretty nice too!”

Louise McLarnan
Pre-school and PODER Employment Program Support
From Moorhead, Minnesota, USA
“After two months in the pre-school, my immune system can now handle all the cold bugs that are going around! I’m also very thankful that I’ll be here for another year.”

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony for 142 of our affiliated students, each of whom has soared over many hurdles to reach this achievement. Over 500 people were in attendance to accompany the graduates on this exciting occasion.

The dedicated parents wiped away a tear or two, those who have made so many sacrifices for their children to get this far. There’s a strong temptation to pull their kids out of school so they can start contributing a steady income to the struggling family economy. They deserve much recognition for prioritizing education over so many other concerns.

Former affiliated students entertain the graduation gathering.

Our caring staff and volunteers smiled and applauded, they who’ve followed each of the student’s progress closely. The social workers have made home visits to inquire about school attendance, grades, and classroom difficulties. The doctors have guided students and family members back to health so that studies can progress in optimal fashion. And the construction staff has made family homes safer and drier with new cement floors, sturdy roofs, and more efficient stoves.

A nice smattering of sponsors had traveled great distances to be present, those who’ve given the students so much more than their monthly donation to the organization. Jonathan, the master of ceremonies and a former affiliated student, spoke about how much his sponsor meant to him during his schooling, inspiring and motivating him through letters to continue with his education. One couple in attendance had been sponsoring the same student since first grade, finally realizing their shared dream of celebrating his high school graduation together.

This school year has been filled with many obstacles for the students, the parents, the sponsors and Common Hope. But on this day we could all come together and revel in the moment. We’ve all worked very hard to reach this celebration, which will carry us through the next year of challenges, as we push and support the younger students to realize their own goals and reach their own milestones.

Amanda Turner, Operations Manager at CasaSito

María Jesús Morales, Short-term Volunteer Coordinator at Common Hope

Stefan Ege, Operations Manager at Constru Casa

Yaëlle Stempfelet, Volunteer Coordinator at Safe Passage

This post concludes the series of interviews with volunteer coordinators. Thanks so much to María Jesús, Yaëlle, Amanda and Stefan for sharing their time and insights with me!

How can you stand out from the crowd?

Amanda Turner, Operations Manager at CasaSito

María Jesús Morales, Short-term Volunteer Coordinator at Common Hope

Stefan Ege, Operations Manager at Constru Casa

Yaëlle Stempfelet, Volunteer Coordinator at Safe Passage