Building Homes for Underprivileged Families

  Honduras

La Esperanza

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: multiple dates year round

Description: You can help build homes and schools in the poorest parts of the Western Highlands. The native Lenca people live in extreme poverty, often three families under one roof. But along with Save the Children, you could help them to make a new start. This is a real hands-on project where you help with everything from making sun-dried bricks, to painting outside walls. The best bit is seeing the results of your work as you help families move into their new homes, or watch students attend the first day at their new school.

You would 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 be making bricks, which involves taking straw and mud and getting into a big vat and mixing it all together using your feet.

Highlights: 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. Accommodation is in comfortable homestays with a local family.

Qualifications: Willingness to contribute is all that is needed though any construction or architectural experience would be of benefit. Beginner Spanish is required.

Cost in US$: $1460 for 1 week; $262 each additional week

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

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: 18-80

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 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 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 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