Honduras: Honduras Child Alliance

About the local hosting organization

HCA helps children gain access to opportunities by developing essential skills. United by the desire to improve quality of life in El Porvenir, Honduras for both children and adults, HCA coordinates community-based programs to support educational enrichment, youth livelihood,  and healthy living. From many countries and backgrounds, we work together to reinforce basic academics while also enhancing creativity, the development of critical thinking, and decision-making capabilities. Our programs focus on Spanish literacy: reading and writing in Spanish, digital literacy and comfort with computers, and include teaching conversational English so that our students can pursue education and employment opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. By fostering positive self-expression, leadership talents, and team building, we nourish confidence and self-esteem. With support from donors and like-minded organizations, our programs are provided at no cost to the students. Operating for 15+ years in El Porvenir, our programming is increasingly led and managed by Hondurans who have grown up in our programs and in our town. These bilingual community leaders welcome and work in partnership with our volunteers from all over the world. This blended team gives us a unique perspective, and it is our intention for HCA projects to always cultivate this vital collaboration.

Presentation of the programme

For our main program for children in grades 1-6, volunteers work as a team to teach Spanish and English literacy, computers, art, sports, social skills and more!In addition, volunteers help provide community events to support: sexuality education / menstrual health, care for cats and dogs, including vaccinations and spaying/neutering, story-times for toddlers, dental health, nutrition workshops, and more. Volunteers typically work at the educational enrichment program 4.5 days each week. Some of that time is for planning and preparation with other members of the team and the rest is spent in the classrooms with the children. Volunteers also help prepare and serve a healthy snack to the children who attend. Ask about Convo-Amigos Spanish instruction to improve your conversational Spanish with a bilingual native speaker from El Porvenir!

About the accomodation

HCA has two volunteer houses in the ‘El Centro’ part of town. They are super close to local markets and the beach and an easy walk to each of our three classroom locations. Both houses have fully equipped kitchens (refrigerators, stove, coffee maker, microwave, etc.) with filtered water, bathrooms with showers, electricity, and Wi-Fi. A Honduras Child Alliance manager lives at one of the volunteer houses, and they are clean, comfortable, and secure.

About the food

The volunteer houses have fully equipped kitchens with refrigerators, stoves, and purified water so volunteers can easily prepare their own food. Most volunteers report that they are able to eat comfortably for 1000 HNL (about $40 USD) each week. The local markets are called ‘pulperias’ and are well stocked with inexpensive, locally grown fruits and veggies. We have a mini-super two doors away from one of our volunteer houses that carries eggs, cheese, bread, rice and items like that. The nearby city of La Ceiba has several supermarkets. These are somewhat more expensive than shopping in El Porvenir but have a greater selection of products. There are several beachfront restaurants in El Porvenir that offer delicious ‘plato economicos’ , a large plate of rice & beans, plantains, coleslaw and your choice of fish, chicken or meat for about 100 HNL – – – yes, that is $4.00 USD for a full meal! (Vegan and vegetarian plates are also available at the local restaurants.)

About the location

El Porvenir is a friendly beach-front town in the department of Atlantida, just 20 minutes west of the lively city of La Ceiba. The sea is just to our north and the pineapple fields and mountains are directly to the south. Honduras Child Alliance has operated in El Porvenir since 2009. Our community is welcoming and safe.The volunteers walk to and from the projects, local markets, the fùtbol field and the beach every day with no problems. Our houses are quite secure and we have good relationships with our neighbors. With that said, the safety and security of our volunteers is always a top priority and so your initial orientation will cover this in detail and you will be given a full tour of our community. Many children in our programs are living in extreme poverty and their schools are seriously underresourced. HCA's enrichment programs improve access to education, healthcare, and quality of life in general. For that reason, our programs are operated in 3 locations around town and are staffed by a combination of international volunteers and Honduran interns.

About the leisure activities

We appreciate that volunteers are coming to work, but Honduras is a beautiful country and you’re encouraged to take some time to enjoy at least some of what it has to offer. El Porvenir is located next to the Caribbean Sea, with the mountains of the Pico Bonito National Park just to the south. There are many options for recreational group outings during your visit. A few possibilities include: Rio Zacate Waterfall: This large and pristine waterfall is about 15 minutes from the volunteer houses. We travel thru the pineapple fields and into the mountains just south of El Porvenir. Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge: About 15 minutes west of El Porvenir in the neighboring town of La Union, the Cuero and Salado rivers form a lagoon as they meet the sea. Guests first board a small train that rides through the pineapple fields for about 20 minutes. They then arrive at a nature preserve and board small boats with electric motors. The Honduran guides will point out monkeys, parrots, crocodiles, an occasional manatee and much more. Villas Pico Bonito / Rio Cangrejal: Offers an infinity pool and lunch with beautiful views. This is a great place to relax and have a vacation day!

Requirements

We require an open heart and an open mind -- along with a sense of responsibility and a sense of humor. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will be asked to have an interview and to submit references.