Serve in Olancho, Honduras!
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.
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 experienceExperience 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 utilitiesInternational travel medical insurance
Housing
Local cell phone and charger
Wireless internet
Program Locations
Juticalpa, Honduras
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
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
Olancho Aid Foundation - Program Reviews
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!
Love OAF!
Review by: Megan Conley-
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, On: 08 Apr 2019, Changed On: 08 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this programOverall, 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!
You will be blessed!
Blessings Received
Review by: Karen Wiley-
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, On: 05 Apr 2019, Changed On: 05 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this programYou will be blessed!
Great experience
Review by: Rachael Cina-
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, On: 05 Apr 2019, Changed On: 05 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this programSpecial Skills and Experience of all kinds welcomed!
Review by: Jim Walker-
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, On: 04 Apr 2019, Changed On: 04 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this programOlancho Aid Foundation
Review by: Kathleen Welling-
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, On: 04 Apr 2019, Changed On: 04 Apr 2019 | Yes, I would recommend this program