Voluntary work in Honduras
Information & guidance about volunteering projects in Honduras
Located in Central America, voluntary work in Honduras can sometimes be overlooked due to the country’s rocky history; after a decade in which the country spiraled into terrible violence, Honduras is taking the rocky road to recovery. A beautiful landscape packed with Latin American culture, Honduras offers the experience of a lifetime for volunteers tackling inequality and poverty that remains rife in both urban and rural areas.
Where to volunteer in Honduras
A small country with a population of only 8 million, voluntary work in Honduras requires being alert and cautious in the cities and well-prepared if you decide to venture into the countryside, but in return offers an amazing experience that volunteers will never forget. Tegucigalpa is the largest and capital city of Honduras, serving as the financial, political and economic nucleus of the county. A rapid population growth has unfortunately resulted in social issues including problems with infrastructure, healthcare and community development, meaning volunteering in Honduras’ capital is welcomed with open arms.
San Pedro Sula faces similar circumstances to the capital; as the second largest city with a population of over one million, San Pedro Sula was once a blossoming manufacturing center but progress was halted by the earthquake, and has since struggled to regain economic prominence. La Ceiba is known as the ‘eco-tourism capital’, as the port city is a popular destination for voluntary work in Honduras focused on environmental projects.
Volunteering projects in Honduras
The main focus of voluntary work in Honduras is the rebuilding of lives, buildings and businesses that were devastated by 2010’s Hurricane Mitch; it is estimated that the natural disaster regressed Honduras by 50 years of development, wiping out nearly three quarters of the country’s transportation infrastructure and crops. Consequently, infrastructural development and access to healthcare are priorities for volunteers in Honduras to help one of Latin America’s poorest countries get back on its feet.
Teaching English is a popular choice for those volunteering in Honduras, which serves not only as a great way to pass on a valuable skill to locals who otherwise would not have access to language education, but also allows volunteers to improve their Spanish skills. Volunteer teachers can do their part with improving Honduras’ low literacy rates by working closely with locals and make a positive impact on communities.
