Honduras Children » Advice from recent volunteers

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Advice from recent volunteers – -

August 30, 2009 by admin, under News.

We did a survey of some recent volunteers and asked the question, “What is some advice that you would like us to share with upcoming volunteers? It can be essential items to bring, kinder info, travel tips, suggested weekend excursions, etc.” – - The following are some responses.

• Get to know the locals. A lot of opportunity arises once you get to know people.

• Always clean up your mess. Leave things better than you found them.

• Go with the flow. Do not expect people to be on time or to follow a schedule!

• Clear expectations of projects to design and/or implement.

• Go hiking in Pico Bonitos with Oscar Funez and Luis as tour guides.. WATCH OUT FOR POISONOUS SNAKES!

• Bring lots of books and quiet games to play at night or during the day when it is too hot.

• Communicate well about your schedule.

• Must go to Cayos Cochinos!

• Insect spray and good sandals.

• Take time to play!

• Speak with everyone in the community, they are absolutely a wealth of information and very helpful.

• Bring some of your own supplies to do activities with the children.

• Never be negative.

• A background in spanish is very helpful. Some knowledge of the language will help you communicate effectively with the kids during the kinder.

• Spend some time visiting with Amalia and Charlie. They can tell you a lot about the background of the children.

• The children need work on letter-sound recognition activities, basic math fact activities, beginning level spanish readers.

• Sit and visit with Nena on the corner, have your hair cut by Junior the barber, have lunch at Mario’s on the end, swing in Luis’s hammocks at dusk, and visit Alfredo for a banana soda and some fine 80’s tunes at the yellow bar/restuarant.

We also asked, “What was the very best part of your volunteer experience with HondurasChildren?”

• The most amazing part of my volunteer experience was bonding with Meladis/Iris the mother of Claudio,Roussel, Wakiria, Noe and Jason. It was difficult to win her trust. However, once we had, she was willing to share her thoughts and ideas. Also, the children and community were so warm and welcoming. I fell for the kids within minutes and they showed mutual affection and appreciation. Leaving will go down as one of the hardest “see you later’s” in my life. I really hope to return to El Porvenir next summer to visit not only the kids but the friends I have made.

• It reinforced how grateful I am to live in a comfortable house and go to a good school. I knew that I was lucky but this experience helped me learn how to share my good fortune.

• I was very proud that I was able to travel on my own and make this a great experience for the children and for me.

• The children, Rosa and Charlie and Amalia!

• I treasure the friends that I have made and that includes the people in El Porvenir, the other volunteers and Charlie and Amalia. Thank you everyone for such a fantastic experience.

• I loved working with the kids and getting to know the locals. I had a great time hanging out with people in my free time and was very sad when I had to leave. I felt like I made some really good friends that I’d like to someday visit in the future.