Project Overview
Volunteers with medical experience can get involved in health in Honduras and a variety of activities at this small hospital in La Esperanza. Utilise your skills by helping with general medical assistance in the pharmacy, blood bank or pre-natal care unit. Your expertise will also be put to use in the Maternity Ward or operating rooms. If you are able to cope in a basic grass route medical environment, this highly worthwhile health work experience in La Esperanza project is a good way for you to contribute your knowledge and expertise.
There is currently a need for volunteers with a nutritionist background/skills. Please contact the i-to-i team for more info.
This is a small and busy hospital in the town of La Esperanza, funded by the government and private donations.
This hospital provides medical assistance for all types of people in a region where this kind of facility is very hard to find. The hospital is often understaffed and would definitely appreciate any help that volunteers can provide.
As the locals speak little or no English, you will need to have at least conversational Spanish and related work experience or medical qualification to ensure that you get the most of your experience and also provide the support needed. In addition a resume is required for confirmation from the project. You should be compassionate, patient, resourceful, have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic!
You could be involved in various areas, depending on your skills and experiences and the level of Spanish you have. For example you may assist in the Maternity ward, operation rooms or work in the pre natal care unit. Recently volunteers have started a vegetable garden to help provide nutritionally balanced meals for expecting mothers. They have also drawn up posters with nutritional information to help with the health education in the maternity ward so the expecting mothers able to make better choices for their future.
The project is based in the small town of La Esperanza ( pop 13,000 ) which is in the Western Highlands of Honduras. It is an agricultural region about 3-4 hours by bus from the capital Tegucigalpa. La Esperanza is populated mainly by the indigenous Lenca people, and the town is best known for its traditional Sunday market. Although the roads are unpaved and it can be very dusty or muddy, the local area is blessed with magnificent scenery and is fantastic for hiking / cycling.
Accommodation is in comfortable homestays with local families. All homestays are walking distance from the projects or pickup/drop off points for transportation. Taxis around town cost $1-2USD.
You will need to arrive into Tegucigalpa (TGU) on your specified arrival date.
Stories
Enid Chiu gives this project 10/10
Here is what Enid had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Helping deliver a baby
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The way the doctors had to bounce back so quickly after experiencing a fatality during the Caesarian section.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Take malaria medication.
2. Bring lots of pictures of your family and friends (and music from home too).
3. The language barrier is overrated. Don´t let it get to you too much.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Viva Honduras!
What would have made your experience better?
More volunteers coming at the same time
Ricardo Martin gives this project 9/10
Here is what Ricardo had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Got to see and do many things in the hospital that I would have never seen or have done at the United States as an undergraduate student. I also got to meet tons of people and I got to travel with them every weekend.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Just getting off the plane and seeing all the poor people everywhere. It hits you fast that you are no longer in the United States and how different Honduras is from anything else.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
- Learn spanish before you go so you can understand the Doctors and get more from your experience.
- Bring lots of money for travel!
- Try everything, you might regret it one afternoon, but it may be so worth it!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Un viaje expectacular!
What would have made your experience better?
If I had some of my friends from home there with me to experience all the fun and crazy adventures I had in Honduras. But maybe some other time.
Micki Travers gives this project 8/10
Here is what Micki had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Staying with the Casco-Santos family was a high point in my trip. The whole family was really helpful in making sure I was included in daily life and understood what was going on at the hospital and at home. They aslo helped me with my Spanish and took the time to talk to me. The food was great too!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Looking back I realised that working on this project was one of the best times of my life. Despite my poor Spanish I took blood samples, worked in a lab, watched surgeries and even deleivered babies. It's an experience I'll never forget!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
For future volunteers, don't hesitate to ask questions and talk to people, even if your Spanish is very basic. As long as you're friendly and try your best, people will really do their best to help you. Keep a big smile on your face at all times!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
My time in La Esparanza was absolutely wondereful!
Laura Ethen gives this project 8/10
Here is what Laura had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The experience was amazing and using my skills in such a different environment was so satisfying.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
This project is great and I want to tell my classmates to come! I have done so much and will never forget the things I've learnt.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I don't want to go home!
What would have made your experience better?
If I didn't have to go home.
Reid Johns gives this project 8/10
Here is what Reid had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
great homestay and the project worked out perfectly, I was able to do things I would never have been able to do in the states and it was great medical experience.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It was what I expected but I had been all over central america before.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Learn as much spanish as possible before you get here
Don´t hold back cause what you are able to do is based on your engagement
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Great experience and amazing
What would have made your experience better?
Known a bit more where all the money went that we paid
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