Education and Nutrition Support El Porvenir
Working in close partnership with our team in the Central American country of Honduras, we are delighted to offer a range of programs for volunteers in the spheres of community-based educational enrichment and healthy living in the north-coast beach town of El Porvenir.
Since all projects are within easy walking distance from volunteer housing, these placements provide the chance to live in a vibrant and friendly Caribbean town while adding support to the young people of the community.
As a community-based project, the programs in El Porvenir rely on a dedicated team of Honduran young adults and international volunteers working together. This blended team provides a unique and effective set of skills, with the goal of providing improved opportunities through access to education and essential life skills.
Children attending the educational programs are mainly in grades 1-6 but there is also an evening English program for adults and quarterly dog and cat vaccination programs that volunteers are welcome to get involved in. Volunteers work with their team to provide literacy in Spanish and English, computer skills, arts, intro to science, nutrition, social-emotional learning, sexuality-education, and more! Volunteers really get to immerse themselves in the community and culture.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide access to education and life skills to poor communities in Honduras.
- Improve educational and professional prospects for El Porvenir’s most impoverished residents, and help them to break the poverty cycle
- Provide international and local role models to empower and motivate students and adults
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both residents and international volunteers alike.
The program includes 5 hours of conversational Spanish instruction, included in the program fee. See the Additional Info. section for more details.
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an integral role in achieving the goals of this project. International volunteers tend to be great English language teachers and wonderful role models to children and adults alike.
This program is for individuals with some background in the caring professions, or anyone with the willingness to throw themselves into directly helping young people of the local community.
It is recommended that volunteers have at least a basic understanding of Spanish prior to arrival and this will quickly develop over the placement period. Volunteers work in teams with local and international volunteers.
Whilst the project follows a weekly theme and curriculum there is lots of room for creativity in how volunteers choose to work within their groups. Practical application is one of the easiest ways for children to learn, so volunteers are encouraged to teach subjects in an informal and entertaining manner – often through songs, movement, games and other fun activities.
As with most Central American nations, Honduras presents the newcomer with challenges as well as rewards. As a developing country, things move more slowly. With a high level of poverty, this rapidly changing country is under-resourced. With children from severely disadvantaged homes and attending poorly equipped schools, youngsters typically have learning gaps and are casualties of poverty in general. These young people form the groups in need, and helping them is what volunteering is about.
Volunteers on this project provide much needed assistance on this ambitious and successful program and will contribute in a number of ways including:
- Teach English and computer literacy to students of different ages - from young children to adults
- Encourage and educate healthy eating and exercise habits
- Assist local volunteers and interns with classes and projects
- Network with local residents and local project staff
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development, languages and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be beneficial. Having a basic understanding of Spanish will help you to communicate effectively with staff and students. While Spanish is a plus, volunteers are accepted at all levels of fluency and Spanish instruction is available locally. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Honduras is a beautiful country with amazing people and a rich culture. With the Caribbean Sea at its doorstep and mountains with tropical waterfalls and cloud forests just to the South, the community of El Porvenir, Atlantida, is a simply stunning place to visit. In their free time, volunteers are free to explore the local area, laze on the white sandy beaches or relax with other volunteers. It's like volunteering in paradise!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SATURDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers fly into San Pedro Sula and catch a connecting local flight or bus to La Ceiba. Volunteers will be picked up at the La Ceiba domestic airport or from the local bus depot. Note that volunteers should try to arrive in-country mid-day so that they can easily travel to La Ceiba by early evening.
After being collected by the local team's driver, volunteers will be brought directly to the volunteer house to meet the Project Manager and settle into the accommodations. The following morning an orientation is held and the itinerary presented. This includes a walking tour of El Porvenir and covers details of the social and health issues and educational needs of the community. Your project manager will also address safety and health issues, organizational rules and “do’s and don’ts” of living and working comfortably in Honduras. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SATURDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport, San Pedro Sula, Honduras (code: SAP)
- Pick up provided from La Ceiba Domestic Airport (code: LCE) or local bus depot.
Accommodation & Meals
Participants on our programs in Honduras are accommodated in one of two comfortable and secure Volunteer Houses in the seaside town of El Porvenir, just 20 minutes west of La Ceiba.
The Volunteer Houses provide a home-away-from-home with full kitchen facilities, western-style bathrooms with hot showers, drinking water provided, comfortable rooms and communal areas for relaxing with other volunteers. Wifi is available for a small fee so keeping in touch with friends and family is easy. Both houses are conveniently located in the 'El Centro' area, within easy walking distance of the beach, local markets and the placement locations.
The Volunteer Houses in El Porvenir are well set up for self-catering with volunteers purchasing ingredients from nearby local markets to prepare meals in the fully equipped kitchen or eating out at inexpensive local restaurants on the beachfront. What better way to enjoy authentic Honduran dishes in a great setting!
Conversational Spanish tutoring is available in the evenings. Just chat to the local team to arrange this.
Fees
That’s just USD 17 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
Conversational Spanish lessons:
Included in the program fee is 5 hours of conversational Spanish instruction to help you prepare. The lessons can be done online prior to arrival in Honduras, or in-person once you arrive. Once you have registered a member of the local team will be in touch to make the arrangements.
You are welcome to arrange further lessons as follows:
5 Lessons US$35
10 Lessons US$60