Honduras Child Alliance

I just finished four amazing months with HCA in El Porvenir. I can't recommend this organization enough to people looking to gain experience working in a country that isn't known to tourists. The impact the organization is able to have on the community is unbelievable you can never walk down the street without saying hi to at least five people you know. One of my most treasured memories was seeing how students came out of their shell by the time I left I had a young student singing the ABC's to me, so excited that he had learned some English. I miss Honduras dearly but know I will be back soon to reunite with my amazing students and friends I made.

Hello! My name is Eleonore, and I was a volunteer in HCA during 3 months at the end of 2023. Now I am back in France, but I can’t stop thinking about my experience in Honduras!

To be short, I will just talk about one little thing to convince you to volunteer with this organization. HCA is a wonderful example of collaboration between local people and workers from all around the world! The purpose of this organization is to work hand in hand with the community to help children become the adults of tomorrow through many educational and health programs. For me, it was also an opportunity to meet extraordinary people and learn more about myself.

I have been volunteering for HCA for 7 months now and I absolutely love it! El Porvenir is such a welcoming and safe community, it has felt like home since the day I arrived. My favorite part about volunteering is the kids – they are so bright and silly and excited to learn! We all work very hard here and some days are long, but this has been such a fulfilling experience that I wouldn’t change a thing. It doesn’t hurt that we live right on the beach, so I can enjoy a daily sunset swim! I have 5 months left, but I can’t imagine leaving this place. If you want to work with kids and you speak (or want to speak) Spanish, I highly recommend volunteering with this organization.

I have been in El Porvenir working with Honduras Child Alliance for 5 1/2 months now. When I applied to volunteer with HCA, I was not quite sure how I would feel about living in a place unknown to me for such a long period of time. What I quickly learned was that the community here is very welcoming, friendly, and safe. My favorite part about being in the community is connecting with locals and building relationships. I enjoy walking down the street and being greeted by the community members. HCA does a great job at showcasing their mission and vision throughout the community by delivering different programs and events. I love to call this place my second home.

Honduras Child Alliance was my first longer volunteering experience. I had originally planned to stay 2 months, but I fell in love with the community and realized I had a lot left to learn from its people, that I returned for another 4 months.
The way the organization is set up, it truly fosters a great team spirit amongst the volunteers, and an opportunity to really integrate into the community. I loved every part of my day - planning with the team, carrying out the activities with the kids, going for a run after classes and being joined by the kids leaving school, ordering fresh watermelon juice at Iris's, a quick soccer game with the Bomberos, baleadas and a stroll on the beach, adult class, and guitar jam sessions with our in-house band.
The activities are set up so that, after some initial training, you can quickly integrate into the day-to-day, yet the management is open to new ideas and really supportive. When I extended my stay, I was able to set up a literacy program and work with some of the kids that we had spotted needed an extra little bit of support. My time in El Porvenir was really rewarding; I look back fondly and often remember amazing times - and whenever I do, temptation strikes and I start looking at flights... I'll be back one day, for sure!