Volunteer Trip: Volunteer in Honduras!

What led you to join Volunteer Trip's program in Honduras?

Katelyn: I wanted to volunteer in a hospital while also working on my Spanish. I contacted Mallory and Tavo Miralda and they helped tailor a trip to my exact needs. We found a hospital, a Spanish school, and a home stay that would allow me to really be involved in the community while working in a local hospital.

What was the best moment of the entire trip?

Katelyn: The best moment of the entire trip was when I worked in the maternity wing and observed my first Honduran baby born. It was so inspiring and beautiful.

I really enjoyed the hands on work I was able to do at the hospital because it really helped me learn new skills. I am currently a pre-medicine student and to be able to work side by side with doctors and nurses was a great experience.

Another great experience was when my host family and I went to the beach and ate lunch. We traveled through a small village and were able to speak with the native people and buy their local breads, baked goods, and jewelry.

The atmosphere at the beach was amazing. I was surrounded by great seafood, great company, and a great view. I think that the best part of Honduras was how relaxed and safe I felt.

Tell us about one person you met you will never forget.

Katelyn: My host family had children and their son Rafael is someone I will never forget. I spent three weeks in Honduras and I became so close with him. We spent time together every day.

He would take us sight seeing around the city every day. He took us somewhere new every day and always found time to have us try new foods. He taught us about the language, culture, and the history of Honduras too.

Everywhere we went he would tell a story about the history and explain traditions. I really enjoyed spending time with Rafael because he was my age.

He also introduced us to a lot of his friends so we met a lot of people through Rafael. His kindness will always remain with me. We were complete strangers and by the end we were family.

It was very hard to say goodbye to him. He is a very special person and the kindness and humbleness he showed me while in Honduras will never be forgotten.

What was the most interesting cultural difference you encountered?

Katelyn: In the United States everything is ran on a tight schedule. In Honduras it was as if time didn't exist. Everything was relaxed and moved at the pace that you wanted.

I found that people took their time doing things and enjoyed the little things in life more. I really learned to appreciate having free time and not always being in a rush. I found this to be very culturally different because in the United States I am always rushing from one thing to the next.

How has the experience impacted your future?

Katelyn: My trip to Honduras has only showed me that I am in school for exactly what I want to do. As a pre-medicine student I realized that I really want to go back to a developing country and work in local hospitals.

I found that I have a passion for helping people and I enjoy the challenge of the language barrier. This trip only made my decision to go to med school even more worth it because someday I can go back to Honduras and work.

What position do you hold at Volunteer Trip? What has been your career path so far?

Mallory: I am a co-founder of Volunteer Trip, along with my husband, Tavo. Previous to living our current dream, we both were Spanish teachers!

Gustavo worked as a Spanish teacher to international travelers in his home country of Honduras, and I worked as an elementary Spanish teacher to little kiddos in northern Wisconsin!

Did you volunteer abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Mallory: I lived and studied Spanish in Argentina for 6 months. I then traveled throughout South America before returning to the reality of a job after college!

I eventually made my way back down to Central America, specifically landing on the beautiful country of Honduras. I volunteered in an orphanage for 3 months and lived with a local family.

During my stay, I met my future Honduran husband! I returned to Honduras various times to volunteer, translate in the public hospital, work with the local Spanish school, and spend time with my husband's family.

What is your favorite story of a volunteer's experience via Volunteer Trip?

Mallory: One of our undergraduate medical volunteers was so excited to work in the public hospital and see a variety of cases in the ER. However, her true passion was in gynecological care. We happily connected her to the baby delivery wing of the public hospital, which was very under-staffed and excited to receive extra help.

On her first day, she not only witnessed, but also assisted on the delivery of twins! I cannot explain how thrilled she was to have been in the room and assist on the delivery of twins, especially as an undergraduate student!

Where do you see Volunteer Trip in 10 years?

Mallory: In 10 years, we hope to have expanded to every country in Central and South America. Our overall goal is to create lasting change in the marginalized communities of our volunteer destinations.

And I hope to have achieved success in terms of positive, long-term change. Additionally, I would like to continue to be a super-affordable and high-quality volunteer organization.

We work directly with local organizations and all of the program fees go directly to our host families and partners. We are a small staff of dedicated individuals that just want to connect interested volunteers to opportunities in Latin America!

Additionally, I see us strengthening our relationships with our in-country partner organizations, hospitals, clinics, schools, orphanages, and community centers.

And finally, I obviously want to create the most impact by sending the highest number of volunteers for the longest commitments possible.

Which volunteer abroad destination is most popular? Which is not as well-known but definitely worth checking out?

We do not have one volunteer abroad destination that stands out as absolutely the most popular. It is surprising to learn the variety of motivations to travel and volunteer in certain destinations.

Some volunteers simply are interested in the location and many others choose a volunteer program solely on the type of volunteer work. For some, the destination is not as important as the actual work.

As far as an up-and-coming destination, I believe that San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua will only receive more and more positive attention. It is super-affordable, home to great secluded beaches, and a surfer's dream! We offer a special needs and an English teaching volunteer program in San Juan del Sur. Check it out here.