Build homes in La Esperanza, Honduras

  Honduras

La Esperanza

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: multiple dates year round

Description: The lack of travellers to Honduras is surprising given the warm welcome you get from the people and the dramatic natural scenery. Everyone else's loss is your gain though, as you explore this gem unhampered by the hordes. The building projects in La Esperanza help people to literally make a better future for themselves and their families by building homes and schools in some of the country's poorest communities. These are real hands-on projects where you help with everything from making sun dried bricks, to painting outside walls. You'll know it's worth it though, when you see a family move into the house you built and students attending their first day in their new school.

*Project details:
On our building projects in Honduras you will work alongside the local families to provide more stable and comfortable living conditions.

*Why volunteer at this project:
The native Lenca people of the Western Highlands often live in poverty stricken conditions, sometimes with three families under one roof. Volunteers are desperately needed to help provide better homes for people who really need them as well as helping the communities build homes of their own.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Working alongside the family who will live in the house you build - what a way to make friends!
* Soaking up the laid back way of life in the highlands of Honduras
* Exploring this incredible country at the weekends

Help to build Honduras - a real hands-on way to contribute in a country steeped in history and culture.

The project is based in the small town of La Esperanza (pop 13,000 ) which is in the Western Highlands of Honduras. It is about 3-4 hours by bus from the capital Tegucigalpa. La Esperanza is populated mainly by the indigenous Lenca people, and the town is best known for its traditional Sunday market.

The local area is blessed with magnificent scenery and is fantastic for hiking/cycling. There are natural hot springs nearby. This is a great base to travel across to the Mayan Ruins at the weekend which is one of the major tourist attractions.

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You need beginner Spanish for this project, however, you should aim to learn as much as possible before you go. You should be in reasonable physical shape as you will be getting involved in building work. You will need to be willing to get involved in hard work and be very 'hands on' and willing to get involved in anything that is asked of you. You have a love of the outdoors and not mind working in any weather. You will need to be easy going and be able to work alongside the local community as much of your time will be spent with the families. Building experience is not necessary but if you have a specific skill it will be welcomed.

Your role as a volunteer:
You will be involved in fairly labour intensive work due to the nature of the project. There will be different activities you can get involved in such as renovation, labouring, painting, decorating, making bricks, building walls etc. During the dry season you will mainly be making bricks which involve taking straw and mud and getting into a big vat and mixing it altogether using your feet.

Cost in US$: USD 1260.00 for 1 week, USD 275.00 for every week thereafter

Salary / Pay: This is a voluntary position.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 17-80

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Honduras Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994