Honduras

I had the most amazing volunteer experience in Honduras. The work felt incredibly valuable and I honestly believe I made a difference when I was down there. A Broader View was a wonderful company. They got me signed up for my trip on a very short notice and for an incredibly competitive price. I knew that I would be able to contact them if I needed anything and that they would be able to help me right away. They have great educational materials for people traveling abroad. In Honduras specifically I felt well prepared for the trip I was about to embark on. There was a miscommunication when I arrived in Honduras and there was no one to pick me up at the bus station. Everything turned out fine but I would say it is absolutely necessary to have a working cell phone with international contacts before you even leave for your trip. This would have saved me some worry and frustration. Get a cell phone before you leave, seriously. ABV was sure to email me and check in with me while I was volunteering which was very nice. They are a trustworthy source and I would definitely use them again if I were to volunteer in the future.

I had been researching many different options for volunteering abroad and knew immediately that A Broader View was who I wanted to use. Going by myself, my biggest selling point was that they have project coordinators in country and basically every potential worry was taken care of--you get picked up and dropped off at the airport, your home-stay and meals are included, and you get to choose when you go, for how long, and which project you want to do. I couldn't choose between programs, so I decided to do back-to-back trips to Honduras and Costa Rica. All my questions were answered fully (and believe me, I had a lot), the costs were broken down so there were never any hidden fees, and they are linked with other helpful travel sites for things like airfare and travel insurance. They also give you plenty of information and travel tips before you leave. In both projects, the coordinators were very helpful. ABV also has an emergency line that you as the volunteer or family members can call if something happens. My mom used this to ensure that I arrived safely in Costa Rica from Honduras since my flights were delayed I was unable to call home. I spent most of my time in Honduras and though I had a set work schedule, it was still flexible enough that I was able to travel the country on the weekends with other volunteers that I met. I would definitely recommend ABV!

Being a volunteer with GVI is the most fulfilling experience I ever expect to have in my lifetime. I cannot praise GVI’s warm welcome, excellent volunteers and the most beautiful children you could ever hope to meet enough. I loved every aspect of the project and although it was definitely not easy I would recommend it to anybody who is willing to work hard. When I first arrived in Honduras, fairly scared after a 48 hour travel period alone, I was instantly at ease and ready to go! Although at the time I arrived I was the only volunteer that did not live in Honduras it did not stop me making lifelong friends through the Spanish school, the local tourist bar and anybody that was involved in the project. My host family could not have been better and I bonded with the grandchildren well. The language barrier was difficult as I have not had any previous Spanish language classes but communication on the whole was fine. The school project and the orphanage was amazing. I cannot put into words how amazing the children are. The school children were well mannered and eager to learn. I was given a lot of help the evening before each class to plan my lessons as I struggled to learn the language. This was a great help and without the patience of the other volunteers I would have struggled. Once I was comfortable in the classroom I began to be able to teach properly. The most amazing part of my teaching was teaching maths. Even without the best language skills I taught the kids long addition. They looked so scared at first but once they understood it they could add anything together (before I taught them this they were counting on their fingers). Kat the other volunteer allowed me to really take over the lessons and do what I wanted to do which was great. The orphanage was harder than the school as the kids need so much attention but it is more initially rewarding when you see a child excited to play with you and shocked by the attention you give them. I love GVI and every single child on the project and will definitely be going on a future trip, furthermore, I am constantly thinking of fundraising ideas and I think of the project every single day. Putting into words the experience I have is impossible and as I say to my friends you will never know what I experienced unless you do it yourself.

This was my first attempt at volunteering abroad, and though I don't have any past experiences to compare it to, I can confidently say that I hope any future travels are as enjoyable and rewarding as this was. Communication with the organization was always easily available, before, during, and after my trip; my questions were promptly answered and any concerns quickly tended to. The organization offers volunteer programs that can be coupled with a cultural/language immersion program. I chose to volunteer at an orphanage on the Honduran coast while taking intensive Spanish lessons in the city. The total cost for my program was $1075 - but I easily raised this money in local sponsorships, and didn't have to pay any of it out-of-pocket. Airfare to Central America is also pretty cheap. I was put up in a local homestay within walking distance of both the orphanage and the Spanish school, with a nice and supportive local family. They pretty much went above and beyond to make me feel welcome - even and especially when I was feeling a bit under the weather during the first week. The facilities at the house were obsolete compared to those typically found in the United States: there was no hot water, no bathtubs, the walls were paper-thin, the water was shut off between 11pm and 5am, and toiler paper was unflushable. Still, I wasn't severely inconvenienced in any way. I especially didn't miss the hot water, since it was so hot and humid there anyway. There was a great deal of rain, since I decided to go during October, but taxis were always eager to give me a lift when I wanted to get out of the rain. Communication was a little difficult to manage when I first arrived. That was mostly my fault: I didn't bring a cell phone that I could use out-of-country. But despite not being able to call the project coordinator, the orphanage, or my host family, it was never very hard to track them down. The project coordinator was always easy to find when I needed him. The orphanage where I volunteered was surprisingly well-kept, and everyone there was very friendly. The kids were always happy to see me. I was the only volunteer on-site for the first week, and was asked to give daily English lessons to the kids. It was pretty fun and immensely rewarding once I got the hang of it. One very comforting aspect of this program was the resourcefulness of the project coordinator. He picked me up from the airport upon arrival, answered all of my questions thoughtfully, gave me an orientation around the city, allowed me to call home from his office when I explained about my lack of communication, took me to the project site, introduced me to a fellow volunteer who arrived during my second week, and was even happy to connect me with local tourist groups and attractions. He seemed to know everyone in the town. He was very knowledgeable, helpful, and kind. My experience with this group was amazing. In short, they are low-cost, very thoughtful, organized, and eager to please their volunteers and their project staff. I am already considering traveling with this group again in the future, and would definitely recommend them.

I volunteered in the emergency room of the public hospital (as an EMT) for 5 weeks and took a Spanish immersion course for 4 weeks. The emergency room work was very challenging and probably not for the squeemish. Working with Sarah and Oliver Ehlers of A Broader View on the logistical aspects of my time in Honduras was a pleasure and I found them to be responsive and efficient. My host family was accommodating and friendly. The volunteer program - like many of the programs out there I suspect - depends on what you, as the volunteer, make of it. If I could afford to spend my life volunteering I would and I wouldn't hesitate to volunteer again through A Broader View.

I first volunteered with GVN in Nepal in 2007. It was the first time I had ever traveled abroad and I was really nervous. I found GVN to be really supportive and helpful throughout the whole process. I appreciated their transparency and felt that my money was being distributed fairly. The organisation we worked with on the ground were amazing, the woman who runs it is truly an angel! The only low point was that there was a misunderstanding regarding my arrival, so no one met me at the airport, which was kinda stressful. I volunteered a second time in with GVN in Honduras in 2008, which i loved as well. The program was great and I really bonded with my host family. I'd definitely recommend any of their programs! Ethiopia is next on my list for 2010!

I volunteered at an orphanage in La Ceiba. I taught English to 5 and 6 year olds. I loved every minute of it. There were people waiting for me at the airport so I didn't have to sit by myself at all. Also, my bags were lost and every day the project director went back to the airport to see if they had arrived yet. I was nervous about staying with a host family but they were perfect. They were the nicest people and I had a great room and bathroom. Also, 3 big meals a day. It was a great way to really feel the culture by living with the family. There were about 12 other volunteers and 8 other students over the course of the time and everyone was unbelievably nice. I made great friends with people of many nationalities. We volunteered monday threw friday and had the weekends to take trips, such as visiting the Mayan Ruins in Copan and going to the most beautiful beach of Central America in Roatan. Overall I would absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in volunteering abroad.

My college age daughter wanted to volunteer in an orphanage for spring break. I am privileged that she invited me to go with her. We have done many similar events, but this was by far the best because A Broader View worked hard both before we left and while we were there to make it a win-win experience. If you have ever considered volunteering in community service, and want to truly experience a culture firsthand, this is an organization that can make it happen. We were well taken care of by our host family and by Manuel, our contact person. We were well-received at the preschool where we eventually spent most of our volunteer time. The opportunities to enjoy the culture were too numerous to name, since we were befriended by many Hondurans who wanted to share their homes and friendship with us. I plan to recommend A Broader View to many others who have expressed interest in global volunteerism, but did not have a specific idea about how to pursue it.

no support whatsoever,charging over 3 times more than the school itself does if organised independently and told me I was going to Puerto Cortes, before i ended up in La Ceiba. absolutely diabolical.

Program Dates: Chile: Sept 10- Oct 31 2008 Honduras: Nov 1- Dec 21 2008 My Favorite Memory: Living with my family in Honduras. I was surprised that…. The flash floods in Honduras and how much I grew, matured, and learned in each place. The most difficult thing I experienced was…. In the beginning, not being able to express myself in another language. My best received lesson… Patience, keeping an open mind, and learning to understand and appreciate other cultures. Tip for future volunteers… Make sure to keep a balance in your life while living in each place. It’s important to be involved and loyal to the work that you’re there for but also, take the time to explore and enjoy the country and culture you are living in. Last thing, take advantage of everything and be ready to be patient. Personal Paragraph: In the past four months, I have learned so much. This whole experience has taught me so much as an individual, as well as a person in this society today. I cannot believe how much I have seen and done and I am so grateful for being able to have done this trip at such a young age. It has changed me forever and I would never trade these experiences for anything. Thank you A Broader View for facilitating my last four months, it was such an amazing experience.