Why did you decide to volunteer with Friends of the Orphans in Honduras?
Dana: They were very organized, and I liked that I would be with a community of other international volunteers, not out all on my own. Also, I wanted to use my Spanish skills and they were looking for a volunteer physical therapist, which is my profession.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Dana: Week days I would get up and take a run, shower and then eat breakfast. My therapy room was in the school building so I would walk down to the school with the kids and other volunteers. Then I would see several kids and adults for physical therapy. Some days I would also do exercises and therapy with the house of elderly adults, and once a week I went into the capital city to do therapy in the home of children with more demanding medical needs.
After the school day I would head back to the volunteer house and have a little time to myself or to hang out with the other volunteers. Then at dinner time I would go to my "hogar" (house) of girls that I spent every evening and every other weekend with. I would have dinner with my girls, play games, help them with home work and getting their school uniforms ready and we would read books. After they went to bed I would go back to spend the rest of the evening with the other volunteers.
Every other weekend I would spend with the girls in my hogar. We would do chores, play games and have group activities planned, like dance contests, hikes, movie nights etc. Every other weekend I had free and I would travel a bit with the other volunteers.
What made this volunteer experience unique and special?
Dana: Having a "family" of children in the orphanage that I spent the whole year with. I loved my time with my hogar. I also really liked having the community of other volunteers there for support and a lot of laughs.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Dana: My family feels a strong bond with NPH Honduras and the Friends of the Orphans. My husband volunteers there now a few times a year and we took our young kids with us once. We believe whole heartedly in the mission of NPH and Friends of the Orphans and have seen first hand how they are making a difference in the lives of orphaned and abandoned children. Now we are seeking to increase awareness of their mission and help them gain support financially for the work they are doing.