Thank you for your interest in volunteering here in Honduras.  Let me tell you a little about our community and the work here.  El Progreso is a small city near San Pedro Sula.  While San Pedro offers all the amenities of an “almost” first world city, El Progreso is far more typically third world: lots of stores all selling the same things, loudspeakers blaring, street vendors with an assortment of goods and foods.  Few of our streets are paved, there is a lot of noise, dirt, and animals wandering around and bicycles as well as horse-drawn carts and old pick-up trucks, with the occasional SUV.  It is hot and humid here year round with a little relief from the heat during our rainy season of November through January.  Rare to find air-conditioning in town but fans help a great deal.  Water is not drinkable and so you must always use bottled water, even for brushing teeth.  We do have the friendliest and most generous people though and the love and kindness you find here far outweighs the lack of material things.

Around sixty-five percent of the children of Honduras are malnourished and the parish of Las Mercedes has responded to this by having a nutrition center as well as feeding programs in the poorer barrios.  The nutrition center houses approximately 25 children ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years.  The children all live in the center full time while they are returned to health.  Volunteers are needed to help the staff care for the children and give the extra attention and affection all children deserve.  You will be encouraged to play with the children, help them with art projects, games, reading books, etc.  Fluency in Spanish is not needed, though being able to talk and understand the staff helps.

Our orphanage is named Hogar Suyapa.  Volunteers are needed at this site as well.  We provide a loving and supportive environment for the children in our care.  Some of our children have been sent to us from the nutrition center.  Most of the children in Hogar Suyapa are 4 years old and younger.  We accept children from birth to age 3, allowing an older child to enter if they are part of a young family group.  We currently have children ranging in age from 8 months to 14 years.

Work schedules are made each week and you are free to work at both sites during your stay here.  We do expect at least 30 hours of work per week and you are free to take two days off for relaxing, visiting the beaches or San Pedro Sula.  We work from 8h00 to 16h00 or 17h00 every day during the week and you are free to choose which days you would like as your free time.  Lunch is from 11h30 to 14h00 to allow for the Honduran siesta.  Given the heat and conditions, most volunteers find this a good break in their day and either visit the internet cafes or rest at home after lunch.

Housing is provided at the Hogar or in a family home, depending on availability.  The fee is Lps. 1500 (approximately $80 or €60) per week and includes all meals.  Lunch is taken in the Hogar.

Volunteers are welcomed to stay as long as they would like.  All are here for at least one month, most stay for three months or longer and on occasion we have some for an entire year.  Honduras offers many interesting places to visit and we encourage volunteers to see the country and enjoy themselves.  The beach is only one hour away and is a great spot to relax for a weekend.  Copan Ruinas is a charming colonial town with impressive Mayan ruins to explore.  Copan is only four hours away by bus.  There are many other sights as a tour book will tell you.  San Pedro is only 40 minutes away and offers restaurants and movie theaters.  Here in town we have a wonderful community theater group run by the Jesuits which provides a fun evening out as well.

We do ask that any trip more than three days in length be taken either before you begin your service here or at the end of your stay.  We rely on our volunteers being here during the time they have committed.  Should you wish to spend a week or two at a language school, or touring for an extended time, please arrange to do that before or after your stay here.

I hope this answers some questions.  Please feel free to write with more questions and please provide:

• Three references.  One of these should be from somebody in a position to attest to your values and moral behavior.  Honduras has a conservative culture and we require a high standard of conduct.  You will be working with young children and we need to have assurances that you understand your obligation to them and to our community to set a good example.
• CV or resume stating what experiences you have had with young children, if any.
• Statement of why you are interested in coming here, what talents you feel you bring to this work, and what you expect to learn from this experience.  What do you think you hope to gain from your time here?

Thank you,

Ana Aleman.