Volunteer in Honduras

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to work with rural communities in the Central American country of Honduras. Volunteers can become involved with a range of projects, including teaching and building. Living with a Honduran family, and volunteering at projects in rural locations, volunteers will help a community in need while gaining a new perspective on life in Central America.

Honduras is one of Central America's poorest nations and was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Over half of Hondurans live below the poverty line. Honduras is the original 'Banana Republic' that conjures up images of its stormy past of corruption and poverty. However, it is also an unrealized land of rare inspiring scenic beauty. The second-largest country in Central America after Nicaragua, Honduras sprawls from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, from Caribbean flatlands through the cooler mountainous interior, and south to the sun-baked shores of the Golfo de Fonseca.

The Program

There are five different projects to choose from:

Building Project: Work with locals on building projects in rural communities outside of La Esperanza, using traditional building methods. > Read More	Teaching Project: Teach English at primary schools to children aged 6-12 years. > Read More	Medical Program: Assist doctors at a clinic in La Gracias. > Read More
Childcare Program: Work at a daycare for children of single parent families. > Read More	Conservation Project - Iguana: Work at an Iguana Station in the Bay Islands. > Read More

Program Location

For the Teaching, Building, and Childcare programs, volunteers will stay with homestays in La Esperanza who have been specifically chosen and who are experienced in hosting guests. La Esperanza is a small town 3 hours from the capital, Tegucigalpa. La Ceiba is around 7 hours from Tegucigalpa by bus. For the Iguana Conservation program volunteers will be located on Utila in Honduras' Bay Islands. Utila is an hour-long ferry ride from La Ceiba. For this program volunteers will stay on-site in dormitory-style accommodation. For the Medical Program volunteers will be located in Gracias and also housed at a homestay. Gracias is a 3 hour bus trip from La Esperanza. La Ceiba is around 7 hours from Tegucigalpa by bus. For the Iguana Conservation program volunteers will be located on Utila in Honduras' Bay Islands. Utila is an hour-long ferry ride from La Ceiba. For this program volunteers will stay on-site in dormitory-style accommodation.

Program Schedule

All volunteers should arrive in Tegucigalpa on the 1st or 3rd Tuesday of each month. School holidays are different every year, but as a rule of thumb they run from early December until early February. During this time the Teaching project does not run, but the other projects do. It also may also be possible to help at private schools during this time, which have different holidays.

Spanish Lessons

From now until 31st December 2008 the program includes an intensive 2 day survival Spanish course at a language school in the picturesque town of Valle de Angeles, located 20 minutes from Tegucigalpa. The lessons consist of 12 hours of class over 2 days and accommodation and food are provided. Valle de Angeles is a small, historic Spanish mining town, much of which has been restored to its original 16th century appearance. Please note that the Spanish lessons will not be offered for those volunteering from January 2009 onwards.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Honduras Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Honduras program is:

For volunteers beginning placements in 2009:

• Cost for 2 weeks - US $716
• Cost for 3 weeks - US $821
• Cost for 4 weeks - US $947
• Cost for 5 weeks - US $1052
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $1136
• Cost for 8 weeks - US $1368
• Cost for 10 weeks - US $1646
• Cost for 12 weeks - US $1924

The in-country fee covers your breakfast and dinner, accommodation, orientation session, and Spanish lessons. The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, tourist visa, shots, travel insurance, and departure tax. You will also need to cater for other expenses like lunch, bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the Honduras Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the Honduras program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Online Spanish Lessons

Global Volunteer Network has established a partnership with the Spanish school Instituto Exclusivo, which offers GVN volunteers a 5% discount off their online Spanish lessons. This is not like other courses which give you pages of web material or recordings of various phrases to repeat. You will speak to, and see your instructor as he/she is giving you a private lesson, tailored to your level of Spanish.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Articles

Read articles written about our volunteers in Honduras.
Click here.

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here