January 2013
Robin Millard-Martin
Position
Overall Rating:
Unexplainable...
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I wish I had stayed longer but the kids appreciated me all the same.
Organization and communication:
During the Christmas break there was not a lot of trips planned.
Accommodation:
Volunteer accommodations were very nice, clean, and good kitchen.
Safety:
HHK takes good care of there volunteers.
Like many new volunteers I was skeptical about going to Honduras on my own. Knowing only 100 words of Spanish made communication difficult but with a little patience you can get the main points across. I hooked up with the Central America Spanish School run by a wonderful Honduran named Rafeal. After 2 weeks of Spanish lessons I was ready to test my skills with the kids. From the moment that I first went to the Hogar, I knew that this was the best decision I ever made. The children were absolutely wonderful. I am 100% certain that I will go back to visit the kids. I was lucky enough to spend Christmas with them. I hardly missed the Canadian Christmas back home. I had a similar experience as many volunteers when I left, I wanted to stay. The experience was almost unexplainable, go and see for yourself, you will never regret it.
February 2013
Anne Sophie Siersbaek
Position
Overall Rating:
My overall experience has been great. Everyone has taking very good care of me.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I feel that volunteers can make a huge difference, by for example helping with teaching english or maths, and just as well teaching about a different culture and exchanging experiences.
Organization and communication:
The organization and communication is overall perfect.
Accommodation:
Safety:
I felt completely safe around the kids and the hogar.
I have been volunteering at the Hogar de Amor for the past month.
Hogar de Amor in La Ceiba, Honduras, is a place hosting 22 children in the ages 7-15. From the very first day of my arrivel, the children were extremely open and welcoming. They are very curious to get to know the volunteers.
Honduras is a country in development, which means that a lot of the population live in poverty and many don\'t recieve the proper education. Unfortunately, this goes for many of the children staying at the Hogar. This is the sad truth, however, I was completely overwhelmed by how much the children seek to learn and to be taught - They are bright kids and they know that with hard-work and practice they can change their future. This is of course encouraged by the Hogar, and the place gives them a safe and secure home for them to be children, but also to develop a stronger educational side. At the Hogar I taught Mercedes, a 15 year old girl, english, and through teaching and learning we build a friendship between us - One where I would give my knowledge of my culture and traditions and vice versa. Through this experience I have become more aware of Honduran culture and customs in a much more fun and better way than I ever could through reading a guide-book.
The children at the Hogar have many different intrests and all are accepted equall, something which meant that I could as well feel accepted.
Every month a party is held to celebrate the birthdays of that month. I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of these parties. The children preformed a show, sang and danced. It was perfect for the children and they were enjoying themselves alot!
All in all the children are extremely loving, sweet and caring and I wish I had more time with them. The Hogar de Amor has created a great opportunity for them to develope into responsible, hard-working adolescents.
April 2013
Mia Meyering
Position
Overall Rating:
Ha working in the school was the best experience of my whole life. The teachers and the people who work with HHK are very kind and try to help you as much as they can
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I mean i dont wish to brag but yes, after being there for a while i got to see a new light in the kids eyes in the school when i would hangout and be with them that i hadn't seen when i was first arrived there.
Organization and communication:
Accommodation:
The volunteer house was pretty nice, i enjoyed staying there and meeting new people
Safety:
I felt very safe the whole time i was in La Ceiba. Never had any worries. As long as you think smart and always be aware.
When i first got to my destination i wasnt at all sure what it was going to be like and if i was going to like it or anything. But it was the best choice of my life, not only were the people in charge very helpful and understanding to your situation but the children i met were life changers. Once i started school i wanted to be there everyday and for longer than 5 hours. I dont think I've ever smiled and laughed so much in my life. The Volunteer House i stayed in was great it had what was necessary and the neighborhood felt really save and secured. It was all around a great trip that i would do again ANY day.
April 2013
Caitlin Arzaga
Position
Overall Rating:
We were able to spend time with the children as they went through everyday activities as well as accompany them to church, school, and on field trips.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I feel like we were more blessed by getting to know them than they were by us. We were able to bring a large suitcase of supplies for the children's home, gospel tracts for the church, and we helped teach a fourth grade class for a day at the Jungle School.
Organization and communication:
Accommodation:
We stayed in a volunteer house for mission teams. There are 6 bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen, entertaining room, a dining area outside and a smaller dining area on the front porch. There is running water for the most part and air conditioning units in some of the rooms.
Safety:
I felt safe in the volunteer house. There are locks on all bedroom doors as well as the front door and the front gate.
The children's home is called the Hogar de Amor. Besides spending time with them and bringing them supplies, we were able to interview them for a youth mission project. We were also able to help out at their Jungle School which was made for the Hondurans who live up in the mountains or are too far from other schools. The people who work at the school and the home are so amazing and they love having people there to help.
