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Serve in Olancho, Honduras!

Overall rating: 9.8 based on 5 reviews
INQUIRE HERE

Serve in Olancho, Honduras!

Provider Logo Provided by: Olancho Aid Foundation Show only programs of Olancho Aid Foundation
Overall rating: 9.8 based on 5 reviews

Program Description

The Olancho Aid Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization creating a sustainable future for Honduran families through faith-based education and service. From clean water projects that improve community health to schools that serve children including those with special needs, our team of international volunteers and Hondurans are dedicated to providing hope as we work to transform the future and life of the Olancho community. We seek volunteers who share our passion and wish to be a part of this mission. If you have a desire to serve, have a love for children, and are motivated by Christian values, we invite you to learn more about volunteering with the Olancho Aid Foundation.

Volunteers serve in roles within the Foundation as needed, often in education, administration, and child care. Specific assignments will be discussed through the interview process and during orientation once on the ground in Honduras. Example roles include: Summer Camp Counselor, Adult ESL Instructor, Resource Teacher, Librarian, Water Project Auditor, Social Media Intern, etc.

Our volunteers commit to serve four months with potential to extend. Our dates for 2018 are Early January - Mid May, Late April - Late August , and Mid August - Mid December.

Highlights

We hope to take the best care possible to ensure our volunteers are safe and supported through their time in our schools. Our tight-knit community remains open and excited to welcome North Americans to assist in our cause.

Qualifications

Two years of post-high school work, education, or other experience
Experience working with children
Experience traveling or living in Latin America and/or developing countries
Basic knowledge of Spanish language
Ability to live in basic living conditions
Willingness to participate in community activities
Willingness to live in accordance with Christian values and to attend religious retreats and Catholic mass

What`s Included

Monthly stipend to cover food and utilities
International travel medical insurance
Housing
Local cell phone and charger
Wireless internet

Program Locations

Juticalpa, Honduras

INQUIRE or APPLY HERE!
Overall rating 
9.8
Experience
10
Program Administration
9.6
Living Conditions
9.6
Cultural Immersion
10
Social Life
10
Health and Safety
9.6
Review This Program

Program Details

Provider:
Olancho Aid Foundation
Location
  • Honduras: Juticalpa
Languages:
English, Spanish
Duration:
3-6 months
Participants:
American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide
Salary/Pay:
Competitive Local Salary- Monthly

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  • Olancho Aid Foundation - Program Reviews

    Dear applicants, we encourage you to leave a personal review if you have ever taken part in this program. Leaving a review will help fellow travelers to decide where to go and which program to go with as they plan their trip abroad.
    Review this program
    I loved volunteering for the Olancho Aid Foundation. I was in Juticalpa for two years, and it quickly became a second home. The people are fantastic, and the opportunity really is one of the best out there. I know they've made some changes with requirements and benefits, but when I volunteered, they paid a wage you could live on and save with. In addition, you did not have to have teaching experience. Though being in the classroom was "sink or swim" and could be overwhelming, I learned a lot and my experiences have greatly contributed to my current career.

    Overall, I loved Juticalpa. It's a small, quaint town, and people like having teachers from the US (Notice I don't say "American"--Central Americans are also "Americans"). Before volunteering, I had never been to Honduras before (or Central America), and I was concerned about safety. I can say honestly that I always felt very, very safe. We were trained well and provided with cell phones. I knew that if I ever called or texted someone from the Foundation, they'd be right there with anything I needed. Regardless, Honduras always felt safe to me, whether we were walking around Juticalpa, backpacking to Lake Yajoa, or taking the chicken bus to Trujillo.

    I’ll be honest that I made a lot of mistakes while volunteering, so I’ll offer the following advice: Keep in mind that this experience is ultimately what you make it, that it will be stressful and overwhelming at times, and that you need to be sure you are taking care of yourself. No matter how well the program looks out for its volunteers, diving into a new culture will always come with frustrations, anxieties, and home-sickness. Do your research and come prepared and plan to maintain your health (both mentally and physically). Do not come with pre-conceived notions of what your experience will be like or what Instagram photos you will be able to upload. Come with a desire to work hard at what you are asked to do and be flexible to how things work in other cultures. You likely won’t understand why you are doing certain things, but you are one piece of a larger, well-established puzzle that works for Honduras (even if it’s not “how we do things in the US”).

    Best of luck to those considering volunteering. If you choose OAF, you won't regret it!
    Avatar Megan Conley

    Love OAF!

    Review by: Megan Conley , On: 08 Apr 2019, Changed On: 08 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    I loved volunteering for the Olancho Aid Foundation. I was in Juticalpa for two years, and it quickly became a second home. The people are fantastic, and the opportunity really is one of the best out there. I know they've made some changes with requirements and benefits, but when I volunteered, they paid a wage you could live on and save with. In addition, you did not have to have teaching experience. Though being in the classroom was "sink or swim" and could be overwhelming, I learned a lot and my experiences have greatly contributed to my current career.

    Overall, I loved Juticalpa. It's a small, quaint town, and people like having teachers from the US (Notice I don't say "American"--Central Americans are also "Americans"). Before volunteering, I had never been to Honduras before (or Central America), and I was concerned about safety. I can say honestly that I always felt very, very safe. We were trained well and provided with cell phones. I knew that if I ever called or texted someone from the Foundation, they'd be right there with anything I needed. Regardless, Honduras always felt safe to me, whether we were walking around Juticalpa, backpacking to Lake Yajoa, or taking the chicken bus to Trujillo.

    I’ll be honest that I made a lot of mistakes while volunteering, so I’ll offer the following advice: Keep in mind that this experience is ultimately what you make it, that it will be stressful and overwhelming at times, and that you need to be sure you are taking care of yourself. No matter how well the program looks out for its volunteers, diving into a new culture will always come with frustrations, anxieties, and home-sickness. Do your research and come prepared and plan to maintain your health (both mentally and physically). Do not come with pre-conceived notions of what your experience will be like or what Instagram photos you will be able to upload. Come with a desire to work hard at what you are asked to do and be flexible to how things work in other cultures. You likely won’t understand why you are doing certain things, but you are one piece of a larger, well-established puzzle that works for Honduras (even if it’s not “how we do things in the US”).

    Best of luck to those considering volunteering. If you choose OAF, you won't regret it!
    Overall rating 
    10
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    10
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10
    When I retired from teaching in May of 2018, I needed to find a way to give back for all of the blessings I had received in my life. To pay it forward. But what I have found, in teaching Catholic Spirituality to high school students for the Olancho Aid Foundation, is that the blessings keep coming. There is joy in teaching and reaching young people, in the support that I receive as a volunteer, and in the gift of living among people from a new culture. If you are considering this for your future, come here to work with the Olancho Aid Foundation.
    You will be blessed!
    Avatar Karen Wiley

    Blessings Received

    Review by: Karen Wiley , On: 05 Apr 2019, Changed On: 05 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    When I retired from teaching in May of 2018, I needed to find a way to give back for all of the blessings I had received in my life. To pay it forward. But what I have found, in teaching Catholic Spirituality to high school students for the Olancho Aid Foundation, is that the blessings keep coming. There is joy in teaching and reaching young people, in the support that I receive as a volunteer, and in the gift of living among people from a new culture. If you are considering this for your future, come here to work with the Olancho Aid Foundation.
    You will be blessed!
    Overall rating 
    10
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    10
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10
    Volunteering with Olancho Aid was one of the best experiences of my life. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is willing to immerse themselves in a different culture, meet amazing people, and learn a lot. A great experience for people at all points in their career.
    Avatar Rachael Cina

    Great experience

    Review by: Rachael Cina , On: 05 Apr 2019, Changed On: 05 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    Volunteering with Olancho Aid was one of the best experiences of my life. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is willing to immerse themselves in a different culture, meet amazing people, and learn a lot. A great experience for people at all points in their career.
    Overall rating 
    9
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    8
    Living Conditions
    8
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    8
    I have spent two volunteer periods working in the Olancho Aid business office (3rd is coming up), which is in the Nazareth School. I cannot convey how blessed I feel to be working with the staff in Honduras. Do you have a skill you can share with this great organization? Stretch yourself, listen to that inner voice and join us. We will all be so thankful you did.
    Avatar Jim Walker

    Special Skills and Experience of all kinds welcomed!

    Review by: Jim Walker , On: 04 Apr 2019, Changed On: 04 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    I have spent two volunteer periods working in the Olancho Aid business office (3rd is coming up), which is in the Nazareth School. I cannot convey how blessed I feel to be working with the staff in Honduras. Do you have a skill you can share with this great organization? Stretch yourself, listen to that inner voice and join us. We will all be so thankful you did.
    Overall rating 
    10
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    10
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10
    I have been a volunteer with the Olancho Aid Foundation since September 2018, and I love it here! I love teaching, learning about Honduran culture, hanging out with the locals, traveling on weekends, and learning Spanish. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life - but also one of the most rewarding! Olancho Aid does a great job at placing volunteers in positions where their skills are needed most. In addition, they provide a great support system throughout the program, starting from the moment volunteers apply. If you are considering applying for the Olancho Aid Volunteer program - I say go for it!
    Avatar Kathleen Welling

    Olancho Aid Foundation

    Review by: Kathleen Welling , On: 04 Apr 2019, Changed On: 04 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    I have been a volunteer with the Olancho Aid Foundation since September 2018, and I love it here! I love teaching, learning about Honduran culture, hanging out with the locals, traveling on weekends, and learning Spanish. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life - but also one of the most rewarding! Olancho Aid does a great job at placing volunteers in positions where their skills are needed most. In addition, they provide a great support system throughout the program, starting from the moment volunteers apply. If you are considering applying for the Olancho Aid Volunteer program - I say go for it!
    Overall rating 
    10
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    10
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10

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