Nutrition Center and Orphanage Volunteers

  Honduras

El Progreso

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Volunteers to our nutrition center and orphanage will assist the staff in the care of the children. The children range in age from birth to age 7 and live in the center until they have recovered from their malnutrition. The orphanage provides a home for those children who cannot return home. Volunteers simply play with the children and assist with their feeding, cleaning and care. We feel it is important for the children to receive a lot of one on one attention and affection and try to always have two to four volunteers in the program at all times to give us additional adult assistance.

Qualifications: We are looking for volunteers who are willing to learn about a different country, be open to the reality of the poor, play and assist with very young children who are suffering from severe malnutrition and cooperate with our staff. We do not need or want "experts" but rather people willing to come and assist in the programs we have in place. We offer a friendly and loving environment to our volunteers where they will be encouraged to give attention and affection to our children. Spanish skills are of great help, as none of our staff speak English.

Cost in US$: approx. USD 55 per week

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Most are recent college graduates or young people in their late 20s and early 30s. Looking for a chance to help young children in our center and orphanage and also visit a beautiful country.

Age Range: 21 and up

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Honduras Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other

La Parroquia Las Mercedes's Mission Statement: The parish of Las Mercedes runs a nutrition center and orphanage for the children of Yoro, Honduras. There are many severely malnourished children in the country and we provide a loving home for them while they recuperate. The orphanage Hogar Suyapa provides a permanent home for those who cannot return to their families.

Year Founded: 1940

La Parroquia Las Mercedes is a Catholic based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.