Location
  • Honduras
    • El Porvenir
Length
6 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
19
Age Max
99
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget

Pricing

Starting Price
42
Price Details
Upon acceptance to the program, there is a one-time 'confirmation donation' of $160 USD. The only other cost is housing and this is $42 USD per week for the first 6 weeks and then it drops to $35 USD per week moving forward. Note that if you are accepted as an intern or if you are able to stay longer than 6 months, your housing cost can be further reduced.
What's Included
Accommodation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 22, 2021
Jul 13, 2023
15 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Porvenir Enrichment Program (PEP+) teaches English, computers, nutrition, Spanish literacy, art, sports, social skills and more! For children in grades 1-6, this program has 3 designated classrooms within the community. All are walking distance to the volunteer houses. HCA's international volunteers and ‘ayudantes’ (Honduran interns) run classes in teams. We have an excellent curriculum but there is plenty of room for creativity in how you choose to work with your groups. You are encouraged to teach with songs, movement, games and other fun activities. It is not necessary to be fluent in Spanish to work within this program. The activities are planned in advance and you will find that your Spanish quickly improves as you prepare for classes and as you work with the children. PEP+ operates year-round including an extended program in November, December, and January when the children are on school vacation.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Diverse working team (international volunteers plus Honduran interns)
  • Well-supported and well organized by in-country managers
  • Walking distance to all classrooms
  • Beautiful tropical environment with beach and mountains
  • Creative, progressive, inclusive environment for all!

Program Impact

The most valuable aspect of your work is that it actually fulfills an otherwise unmet need. Honduras Child Alliance educational volunteers provide small group instruction and attention to help children gain the essential skills (English, computers, etc.) that allow them to access opportunities with Honduras.

Volunteering makes a difference to the people you work with, but it also makes a difference to YOU. HCA volunteers always have natural opportunities to connect with the local children and adults, even outside of volunteering. While our housing includes full kitchens so that volunteers can prepare their own meals, we often arrange group dinners in the homes of our community friends or at local restaurants. Volunteer housing is integrated within the community where we work. This helps to support the local economy, as well as give volunteers a more connected experience within the country. As you become part of the community, you will find that in addition to your tangible project, you will also build genuine connections to the people who live in this hard-working and vibrant town.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 13 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 13 reviews
Default avatar
Stacia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

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.

17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience, Changed my Life

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!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The organization works hand in hand with the local Bomberos - the fire brigade - and in an initiative to raise awareness of the effects of drunk driving, we enacted a car accident and rescue mission. We were fully briefed, everything was planned and controlled - from a rough script to hair and makeup! - and it turned out to be really effective... so effective some of the younger kids forgot we were acting and wanted to help rescue us!!!
60 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

I first volunteered with HCA in 2016 and came back two years later to develop a program. I directly felt welcomed there, by the volunteers and the community. Teaching English to kids and adults is really inspiring because you can see the impacts on them. So there are different types of classes: kindergarten in the early morning, then during the day, there is the kids’ class (from 6 to 12 years old), and at the end of the day, adult class. All of them are really different and it can suit to everyone with different levels of Spanish. Moreover, it is a good opportunity to learn Spanish with the community, and English with volunteers. HCA allows volunteers to develop projects such as mine: develop the “baños program” and helps you to connect with the community. I would definitely go back to build baños and teach English if I can.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I first went to Honduras for 2 months, and I felt it was not enough. When I came back, I decided to stay 6 months. This is the time I would recommend to stay to get to know the kids, the community, and to meet people from all around the world.
68 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Yamit
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Truly Amazing Experience

I volunteered with HCA for four months after graduating high school and I am so grateful that I did. When I arrived in El Porvenir, I was warmly welcomed by a wonderful and enthusiastic group of volunteers from all around the world (Germany, Scotland, Israel, Australia, Spain etc.) The classes were definitely my favorite part of the HCA experience. I loved getting to know the kids and both learning from them and teaching them in class every day. Our classes were filled with art, games, music, healthy snacks and laughter, and were just a ton of fun! After leaving HCA I couldn't really stay away and ended up coming back a year later to work on a Baño Project. I miss El Porvenir, the students, and the volunteers all the time and I can't wait to go back!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay for longer! 4 months was amazing but I'd highly recommend going for even longer and/or going back more times!
66 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved It So Much I Came Back

I spent four months living in El Porvenir on a gap semester between high school and college. The town itself is beautiful, quiet, and safe, the people are very friendly, and the children are absolutely amazing. Teaching PEP classes to the kids each day was a blast and I formed strong relationships with many of the students. In fact, I even ended up planning a trip a year later with a group from my college. The goal of the trip was to help a family of two of my students build a bathroom in their backyard that was wheelchair accessible so that their handicapped family member could use it easily. Both times I went to El Porvenir, the volunteers were all fabulous. They welcomed me with open arms and by the end of my time there many of them felt like family. I was also surprised by how much the residents of El Porvenir respect HCA's program. HCA does real good in the community and I'm so thankful that I discovered this program and that it played such a pivotal role in my life.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try your best to engage with the town people and get to know them because they have a lot to offer and are truly wonderful people.
68 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer with HCA

HCA has a great relationship with El Porvenir. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly in the community. The area is extremely safe. The kids love meeting new volunteers and will jump all over you and ask you questions. Three classroom locations are all easily accessible. You teach English, computers, science, and art. You can also get involved teaching English for adults in the evenings. It is a great place to work on your Spanish. I found everyone really patient with me and ready to help fill in the words I was missing. You can also do study buddies where once a week you spend an hour being tutored but a Honduran intern.
It is right on the beach and you can see the beautiful mountains on the other side. There are lots of fun things to do on the weekends visiting the jungle, rivers, beautiful beaches, the city la Cieba.

69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laurine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volontaire en Honduras

Translation: My experience in Honduras is one of the most beautiful things that ever happened to me. Honduras is an incredible country and surprising in many ways. El Porvenir is a small village in the Atlantis region. Our daily lives are filled with laughter and smiles of all kinds. It is a real pleasure to spend our days alongside children. I also had a lot of fun teaching adults in the community, sharing and sharing our visions of the world.

To fully live this experience I recommend to future volunteers to stay at least 1 month and a half to have full time to get acquainted with culture and children. Once you have learned to know them you will definitely want, as I could do, to extend your stay here.

Original: Mon experience au Honduras est une des plus belles choses qui me soit jamais arrive. L Honduras est un pays incroyable et surprenant par bien des aspects. El Porvenir est un petit village de la region d Atlántida. Notre quotidien est rempli de rires, mimiques concentrees, sourires et autres betises en tout genre. C est un reel bonheur que de passer nos journees aux cotes des enfants. J ai egalement pris beaucoup de plaisir a enseigner aux adultes de la communaute, echanger et partager nos visions du monde.

Pour vivre pleinement cette experience je recommande aux futurs volontairesde rester au minimum 1 mois et demi pour avoir pleinement le temps de se familiariser avec la culture et les enfants. Une fois que vous aurez appris a les connaitre vous serez definitivement seduit et aurez envie, comme j ai put le faire, de prolonger votre sejour ici

What was your funniest moment?
Voir deux petits garcons se comparaient les muscles du bras
70 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Love HCA

I began working with Honduras Child Alliance in February 2019 as the Healthy Snacks Coordinator. In the past five months, I have felt so safe and supported during my time in El Porvenir, and have had the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world and make a difference working with kids. Honduras is a beautiful country with so much to offer, and our community of El Porvenir is extremely safe and supportive of travelers. The town is situated right on the Caribbean and has a great reputation. The locals are friendly and always interested in what we are doing, and the kids are amazing. Our students are so bright and kind, and once you make the choice to make a difference with them, you're changed forever. I have two more months left in lovely El Porvenir, and I intend to spend the rest of my time continuing to immerse myself in this beautiful and safe culture.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you're wondering if you should travel to Honduras and change the lives of kids, just do it!
69 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers