Location
  • Honduras
    • La Ceiba
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
80
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
895
Price Details
The fees cover: Airport pickup and drop off, local orientation, host family, meals, local coordinator, a donation to our programs, please check our website for more details.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Travel Insurance Wifi
Apr 09, 2021
Oct 26, 2018
12 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

In La Ceiba there is a growing need for native English speakers to help students become a part of the growing hospitality industry. Volunteers teach English to children and young people attending primary and secondary schools in La Ceiba and its surrounding areas. These areas are very poor, and the schools lack native English-speaking volunteers. In this program, volunteers will help children learn the correct use of English words and master English grammar. A typical class averages about 30 students.

The Honduran culture is a blend of Latin America and a multi-ethnic blend of Mestizo, Amerindian, Black and Caucasian. This mix of people influences all aspects of the culture each bringing a unique blend to society. Our volunteer projects allow you to support the local children, at orphanages and primary schools, and work in a local hospital, HIV clinic or both.

Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • ABV’s Honduras program is available year-round, you can start any day of the week
  • Highly affordable program fees US NonProfit Organization - Program rates are tax deductible and you can fundraise
  • You’ll be joining volunteers from all over the World Safe, friendly placements and accommodations
  • You’ll be traveling with ABV, the volunteer travel experts, and joining a network of thousands volunteers. Our outstanding safety systems and track record set us apart, we are the world’s safest organization
  • Your efforts will have a positive impact because our programs are community-driven with a focus on supporting long-term local needs

Program Impact

ABV programs are based in the coastal city of La Ceiba. Volunteer support has made dramatic improvements in the lives of the local people by providing adequate medical and dental services, upgrading the ambulance rescue services, and providing thousands of dollars in medical donations to the regional hospital. With ABV support the medical and social welfare projects are reaching thousands of locals.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 16 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.95
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 16 reviews
Default avatar
Misha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

They were excited

I wish I had been able to stay for longer and bring more supplies for the Hospital and Clinic. I was impressed with the connection Abroaderview has arranged with the local hospital. This is a unique volunteer program. I knew I would not be able to change the way healthcare works in Honduras, but still it was very difficult to see things that so easily could be improved just by some logistics, more education, and better supplies. I am now thinking of ways I can help Honduras in the future. I Appreciated the unique opportunity to travel to La Ceiba with my daughter before she begins college and introduce her to another culture and climate and a very different way of life and level of health care. The local coordinator and all the people associated with him that we interacted with all placed a high priority on our safety. He only used cab drivers that he knew and has worked with many times. He checked in with us frequently and checked in with our host family and interpreter when he present with us to make sure we were making safe decisions about where to go and how to get there. I was surprised to say that the donation supplies I brought ended up being a highlight. I brought many things used for surgery here in US, things that were extra or leftover or expired or no longer sterile. They were excited! And fascinated by many things they have never seen. I brought one very fancy dressing for a wound. The head nurse immediately sent us to a post op patient and had us clean her wound and apply it. And wished we had more.

82 people found this review helpful.
Honduras
J
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

an eye opening experience

It was a great experience going to Honduras. I did learn a whole lot during the two weeks I was there. It was an eye opening experience to see health care services in a different country and how they have to deal with limited supplies. I had a different expectation for the trip like I would travel to different locations to provide care, but I was able to give a lot just by volunteering at the hospital and clinic. My favorite memory about the program was able to work alongside with people I have never met before and speak a totally different language.
The host family house was pretty nice, in a safe area of La Ceiba and we had wifi so I was still connected with the rest of the world. There is always a ghetto side to any city, and La Ceiba is no exception. However, the coordinator pointed that out on the first day and made sure that everyone knows to stay away. The local people are very nice otherwise.

80 people found this review helpful.
Honduras hospital
Samay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Looking back

From the beginning, I knew that this nonprofit was the right organization to help me volunteer abroad. The support staff was extremely helpful and thorough, and my emails always received responses within minutes. Also, the detailed and informative volunteer guide made me feel comfortable and gave me the knowledge I needed to prepare for my arrival in Honduras. I volunteered in two hospitals throughout my time in La Ceiba, but I spent most of my time observing and assisting doctors at the Hospital. I was in La Ceiba for two weeks, building relationships with the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff at the hospital. By volunteering in the hospital every day, I learned a lot about the differences between the Honduran and American healthcare systems; one of the key lessons I took away from my experience is how much we take for granted in the United States. Seeing the hospital in La Ceiba operate without electricity (blackouts), with no access to computers, and with a shortage of doctors truly opened my eyes to this issue. In addition to learning about the health care system, I observed various types of surgeries and operations performed by many different doctors. Shadowing these doctors was a great learning experience and a dream come true for a premedical student and aspiring doctor such as myself. One of the fondest memories I had of my shadowing experience is that of a baby being born right in front of my eyes. I never wanted to become a doctor so badly as when I saw the expression of joy on the mother’s face as the doctor held up her baby for the first time. Overall, I had a wonderful time volunteering in the hospitals in La Ceiba, learning about various aspects of the medical field, and experiencing a new culture and environment. Looking back, my two weeks in Honduras flew by so quickly, and I am happy I took the opportunity to volunteer with abroad with ABV.

76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
N
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dental program in Honduras

Volunteering to provide medical and dental care in La Ceiba Honduras was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of our lives, I volunteered with my father. The people there really need the care and the equipment that we donated. It was also rewarding for my father to be able to perform and teach some extremely useful oral & maxillofacial surgical procedures on the patients and doctors working in the clinics.
The local coordinator Rafael was extremely accommodating making sure we were well taken care of throughout the entire duration of our stay. He set us up with pre-medical and medical students as well as dentists in training who hung out with us most of the time and took us to fantastic places off the beaten path that you would never see as an average tourist. They went with us to fantastic restaurants and we ate some of the best local food to be found in La Ceiba... maybe even all of Honduras.
I would highly recommend doing this program in La Ceiba Honduras to anyone, students or professionals.

82 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Skyler
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Honduras Medical Student Volunteer

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer in Honduras at the local hospital and clinic. Everyone in the ABV program really wants you to have the best experience possible. This program also allowed me to gain so much more hands-on experience than I would have been able to get in the U.S. I was able to take vital signs, assist in wound cleaning and help at a "health fair". I also observed C-sections and many other surgeries. All of the doctors were welcoming and thankful for our help. They were also willing to explain what they were doing and why. There is no doubt that I would recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in the health care field.
Rafael was a wonderful host during my week in Honduras. He drove us to and from the hospital each day to ensure our safety and was always open to hearing our questions and concerns. I'm really grateful for everything he did to make sure I was having the best experience possible. This trip would not have been the same without him.

87 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Linh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The coordinator in Honduras was with me every step

I've done a similar trip in Guatemala with another program but it cannot compare to going through ABV. The coordinator in Honduras was with me every step of the way and cares that you are getting the most out of the program. As a result, I learned and saw so much that I wouldn't have been able to see as a volunteer in the U.S. I got to take vital signs, help out in wound care, and I learned to start IV leads and administer medications and vaccines. I got to witness live births and hear about the surgeries that other ABV volunteers witnessed. It was also cool to meet other volunteers also from ABV and hear about their experiences. What I loved most was learning from the doctors and nurses who enjoyed teaching us despite how busy they were and who had the patience to explain to us the whys and the hows. In the U.S., it's harder to find doctors who are willing to take that time of their days. Overall, it was an amazing 2 weeks and I was excited to share it with my family and friends.

85 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elisabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Honduras PreMed Internship

I gained so much hands on experience and saw so many medical cases during my pre-med program in Honduras. The doctors were more than happy to show us how to do sutures, catheters, vaccines and more. I did see cases and diseases I could only read about at home. At the hospital, I got to watch so many surgeries, deliveries and met so many different types of doctors. It is amazing how well they do with what they can with such little and limited resources. We also gave pets vaccinations and went to schools to educated people with an outreach healthcare program. I am so very thankful for the opportunities and all that I have learn. I could never have gotten this kind of experience at home (Canada), and this truly reinforced my path in the medical field. The Spanish lessons were good and very helpful. The neighborhood we lived in was very safe. They have two security guards that are circulating in the neighborhood 24/7. The house was located near the mall and a taxi anywhere in town was only 25lps (1.50USD). I did met so many amazing ABV volunteers from all over the world during my stay

77 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Camilla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Honduras

This volunteer experience was one of the most incredible, yet most heart-breaking experiences of my life. The people in Honduras are so welcoming and appreciative of anything at all you can provide them and they love to share their culture. People can tell you all they want about what conditions are like in these countries, but you will never truly understand until you´ve seen and experienced it yourself. If you are a medical student, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn while helping at the same time. If you are a practicing professional, this is a wonderful opportunity to lend your expertise while also likely learning some new things (such as how to do more with less). I would highly recommend this program for anyone with a passion to help, but also willing to experience new things (both good and bad) that they never have before.
I went to La Ceiba as a pharmacist and so I spent the majority of my time in the pharmacy. I quickly realized that the prescriptions do not include key information that I am used to in the US in order to ensure it is safe and effective. For example, they do not include the dose (rather just say # of tabs), drug allergies, age, and weight (if a child). It is assumed that the doctor is always correct and the pharmacy staff does not double-check the appropriateness of the dose. This was difficult for me to see, in particular for the children because it is so easy to give an incorrect dose that may be toxic or ineffective. During my time in Honduras, I was able to gather needed information for each patient to ensure appropriateness of these prescriptions and adjust as needed, but knowing that this is usually not the case was hard to see.

73 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Spanish proficiency is not required if a volunteer will take language immersion lessons. The more experience you hope to gain from the program relies heavily on communication. If considering a Latin American location then Spanish is essential.