Honduras La Ceiba Review Volunteer

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Rafael is our local ABV Coordinator and he is a very nice person. He would walk or go with our group every morning to our shift, and make sure that we were doing okay throughout the day.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program: The most surprising thing I experienced during the time I am volunteering here is the condition of the hospitals and their procedure on sanitation and safety of the healthcare provider. The condition of the clinics is terrible. They have a very low standard on sanitation and a poor sense of safety from getting diseases from the patients.

At the accommodation: The accommodation is as what I expected so there was not much surprising. Plus, I have also lived half of my life at a place similar so I am pretty used to it.

About the country: The country is still developing so there are lots of trash on the street and open ground. I think the traffic law is not strictly enforced, so people just drive the way they want. However, people here are very friendly and welcoming.

Gap Year Honduras

3- What was most difficult to experience?

In the program: The most difficult thing about the program is to be able to communicate with people around and at the hospital. Since my Spanish speaking level is very low, I had some trouble talking to patients and doctors. However, after a couple days, I started getting used to listening, and Rafael taught me some phrases that would get me by.

At the accommodation: Cold showers, especially during the rain.

The country: Crossing the street is always fun, and my friends would always be yelling at me for not telling them that I was about to cross the street.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing: Pack enough clothes if you’re traveling for 1-2 weeks, so that you don’t have to do laundry here. The laundry mat requires a couple days to finish washing clothes. Also, bring rain gear if you’re traveling during raining season.

Donations: Sanitation is a big deal here, so I believe it would be great to donate hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes for cleaning and tiny ones for giving injections.

Weather: The weather is not bad at all, except it rains a lot during the winter season. The humidity is totally bearable.

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

a.-Meals here are much different from the states. Small and quick breakfast and dinner.

b.-Be ready to take a cold shower every day.

c.-There are certain places where toilet paper is not available so you should bring your own.

d.-If you’re bringing cash to trade here, make sure the bills are perfect or brand new. The banks will not take the bills if they are ripped or have marks on them.

 5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

It has been a great experience being here in Honduras. I have learned a whole lot during my two weeks of being here. 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 those hospitals.  

Volunteering in Honduras

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, and security:

Rafael’s house is pretty nice, and there is also wifi so I was still connected with the rest of the world. The meals here are smaller than what I used to have back at home, but there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. There is always a ghetto side to any city, and La Ceiba is no exception. However, Rafael pointed that out on the first day and made sure that everyone knows to stay away. The people here are nice otherwise.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: My favorite memory of the program is able to work alongside with people I have never met before and speak a totally different language.

Country: The scenery is crazily beautiful. There’s too much to describe.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior to traveling?

Communication (Phone/emails/Online chat): ABV USA is very responsive to communication. They always sending reminder emails prior to the trip and during the trip.

Website Information: The website information is very useful

9 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View? 

I volunteer with Texas A&M University, so I know A broader view from there, many of the students travel with them through ABV.

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Volunteer Honduras Health Care Trips

1.- How were the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
Rafael was great! Our first night in La Ceiba he had us come to the library and he introduced himself and the program. He was very helpful throughout the week; setting us up to work during Saturday and Sunday, helping us get the things we needed.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Volunteer program: The quality of care for patients was one of the things that surprised me the most. Walking into the Clinica for the first day it was a shock to me how supplies were reused, the sterilization process, the way the entire clinic was set up. At Hospital it was a bit different, but in the ER the care was the same.

Accommodation: At our host families house, what surprised me most was how welcomed I felt, almost immediately. Rocio and her daughter, Pamela were incredibly welcoming, along with her student Hazel. Rocio always was helping us get to and from our places, telling us to go experience La Ceiba, and always keeping us full with amazing Honduran cuisine.

About the country: It surprised me that a country in so much need still had places such as a mall, fast food, and things that demand constant income. It made me question the style of life I was living, as well as the things people here are doing to just barely support themselves.

Volunteer Trips

3- What was most difficult to experience?

Volunteering program: It was especially frustrating to my mother and I that we were told we would be put in the labor and delivery department. But, we really didn’t get to help as much as we feel we could. Many times, we felt that we were in the way of the nurses and doctors.

When we found out about Hospital, and the conditions of their delivery department my mother and I were very upset that helping there was not an option. We just wanted to Help as much as we can and we felt many times that we were not helping as best we could.

ABV: always ask the local coordinator to rotate in other areas if needed, don’t let the week go by without talking about other options, as schedules and activities may change form week to week. We didn’t got any email from you about this subject.

Accommodation: The hardest part of the house was the heat! Honduras is so incredibly hot, and my mother and I were not used to this kind of heat!

The country: It was hard for us to communicate the best we could. We (sadly) don’t speak any Spanish and we had to get a translator. (ABV offers a translator ($)

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing: Bring lots of lightweight clothing! Cooling towels are also a great idea to have with you. Multiple pairs of shoes, for your feet, get tired. Hats and sunglasses! Ask the ABv chat for ideas and read the volunteer guide.

Donations: Make sure you ask the coordinator (in this case Rafael) to bring you first thing to the medical supply store! We didn’t end up getting to the store until Monday and we wished we could show the nurses and doctors how to use the supplies we bought.

We also brought tons of supplies, and it was evident that we were then allowed to do more. Especially at Hospital. We contacted ABV US office and we manage to buy all the supplies we wanted to give with the donations $ we got through the ABV fundraising page.

Weather: It is so hot!! Try to focus on the work you are doing, and the good you are making in these people’s lives. It’s easy to get overheated and overwhelmed but just take a step back, drink some water, and come at it again.

4.- Other things volunteers should know:
a.-  It’s much nicer outside at night. Much cooler!
b.- Put your water in the freezer overnight! That way it’s frozen in the morning and slowly melts.

c.- If you’re slowly learning Spanish like us, it’s helpful to review your numbers each night.

d.- Take time to rest. Don’t go go go and then wear yourself down mid week.

Gap Year Medics

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

This mission has been a life changer for me. I would come back again in a month or two if I could. It was eye-opening to me to see how others lived and supported themselves compared to the luxuries we take for granted in the United States. It has been an incredible opportunity for me as a new nursing student to get this kind of hands-on experience.

I was able to administer injections, wound care, neonatal feeding, and stand in on surgeries. I wouldn’t have had this kind of experience unless I came and devoted my time. Prior to doing this, I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a nurse. I have decided that I was to spend my career helping those in underserved countries, such as Honduras. It has made me want to better myself, reflect upon the things that us as Americans really do take for granted.

Volunteer Reviews

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, and security:

Rocio and her family were fantastic. We felt safe the entire time we stayed with her. Our room was perfect, two beds with a sheet. We had ample room to spread out and relax. Rocio was very welcoming.

She was helpful with our Spanish and spoke very good English. She has two puppies and one kitten! This was the highlight of staying with her for me. I am a very big animal person and was thrilled to see Charlotte(puppy), Princessa(puppy) and Kitty(kitten)!

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: When we brought our donation supplies to Hospital, the staff there was so pleased with the things we brought. We were so happy to see that they could use the donations and knew how to use them and what they were.

Country: The view! We would walk to many places, and behind us were these beautiful mountains. It was gorgeous.

8 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View? (You can also write on the back of the page…)

My mother and I were looking for some sort of medical mission trip. ABV seemed like the kind of nonprofit organization where we would be focused on working instead of the tourism part. We loved that about ABV.

Volunteer Honduras Reviews

Volunteer Honduras La Ceiba Review Daniel Stogner Medical Program

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
I stayed with Rafael the coordinator. He picks you up from the airport and brings you to his house. He goes with you to the hospitals until you are comfortable going by yourself. He takes pictures of you at the hospitals. He was very inviting to me, I was in country during the holidays and Rafael always invited me out to his family gatherings and made me feel welcomed.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
At the program: There is a large lack of sanitation in the clinics, for example washing off a nebulizer used by one patient in water and giving it to the next.
At the accommodation: Rafael has a somewhat large home. I was volunteering by myself, but his home has 7 rooms, so a large group can volunteer at the same time.
About the country: The country is quite beautiful. You are sandwiched between mountains and ocean. Any chance you get to leave the city and go out on excursions you should take it because it is beautiful. The city on the other hand is quite dirty in some areas, there is trash strewn about in the streets and side of roads.

3- What was most difficult to experience?
At the program: It was difficult to see the conditions under which they have to practice medicine here. Sadly they are less than sterile in many of their procedures.
At the accommodation: The most difficult thing for me was adjusting to the food. I was eating less calories and mainly eating Carbohydrates. I also got sick 2 times from food I ate out so make sure you bring some Imodium and an antibiotic, and make sure you dont eat from street vendors.
The country: In Honduras there is a schedule, but the schedule is not really stuck to and the timing of the schedule ebbs and flows. This was not necessarily difficult to get used to, however it is odd for the first few days after coming from the highly scheduled days we usually have in America.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…
Clothing: For shoes I would bring something like chacos for excursions. Bathing suits if you want to be in the water. I wore work boots to the hospitals because you will be walking in mud and water and I would just rather having the protection over the comfort of tennis shoes. I wore flip flops around the house. Bring shorts and t shirts for around the house and going into town for the mall or store. Bring scrubs, if you go into surgeries you will have to change into a clean pair of scrubs. There is a laundromat close by to wash clothes.
Donations:  Bring gloves, head coverings, masks, and shoe covers. Gauze and other bandaging supplies like tape, shears, etc. You can also bring medications that you can buy in bulk like ibuprofen, Tylenol, stuff like that. Definitely bring a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.
Weather: I was here in the winter. It was between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 95% plus humidity every day. There were a couple of days when it was hot but for the most part the weather was not too bad temperature wise in the winter. However, it rains nearly every day in the winter. I would recommend an umbrella or rain jacket if you come in the rainy season.

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:
a.- a taxi is 25 limp per person no matter how close or far you are going
b.- there are plenty of banks to exchange money as well as atms
c.- if you forget anything from home, you can probably buy it at the mall (charger, soap, clothes, whatever)
d.- try not to come in with the mindset that the people here are in like desperate need of your help, they function just fine to their own standard, show up and do whatever tasks will help them do their jobs easier

Volunteering in Honduras

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:
This month has been quite an adventure for me. Things were off to an interesting start as soon as I landed.  Henry took me on a tour of the city and we started cultivating our friendship that would grow over the next 4 weeks with trips all over the place. Rafael made me feel welcomed as I got to spend both Christmas and New Years with his family, he even brought me out to a large meeting/party with a bunch of prominent members of the community.

I spent time in the clinics but most of my time was spent observing and participating in surgeries and the social security hospital. I was there for almost 3 weeks gaining a rapport with the doctors and surgeons. I learned quite a bit from the surgeons. I met two friends from Australia who were here for the first few days of my stay, then I had nearly 2 weeks of myself being the only volunteer here. Later 6 pre med student volunteers came also from the great state of Texas, followed by 1 pre PA student volunteer from Florida. Whether you come with a group or by yourself I would say that living and volunteering in Honduras is definitely something you should do.

It is a once in a life experience that you will only get if you just do it. The things that I have experienced here I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am very glad that I made the decision to come. Looking back, 4 weeks has flown by, and I am happy to have been here.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:
Accommodation: I stayed with Rafael, I had a bed and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. The water is cold but it’s definitely better than not having water at all.
Meals: You eat 3 times a day. Breakfast is usually very small, just some carbs like toast and coffee. Lunch is usually the larger meal with rice, beans, and some sort of protein. The portion of protein is much smaller than a typical meal in America. Dinner is usually a little smaller than lunch and you will be having many servings of rice, beans, and plantains. In general you will be eating many carbs with little protein. You also do not eat many fruits or vegetables so I would recommend bring vitamin supplements. There is a grocery store nearby as well as fast food places if you wish to supplement your calorie intake.

Security: Rafael’s house has a locked gate just in front of the front door. There are bars on all of the windows. There are many places within walking distance of the house including the mall, grocery store, and one of the hospitals. There are parts of town that you probably should not go to, just don’t go there. You will be in a foreign Latin American country so just be smart. I was here by myself but I was never really worried about anything bad happening. Currently there is a not so great political situation happening here, but on the whole it did not affect me volunteering here. In fact I walked through the middle of a protest and nobody bothered me.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Program: My favorite memory from the program was getting to scrub in and assist with surgeries.
Country: My favorite memory from the country would definitely be one of the excursions I went on with Henry (a local tour guide, friend/employee of Rafael). We took a couple of buses out of the city to Rio Cangrejal. We went to a couple of hostels, swam across the river, hiked up to a waterfall, jumped off some rocks into the water, swam back across the river, and then hitch hiked back into town. It was quite a fun experience.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?
Communication (Phone/emails/Online chat): I used the chat feature on the website prior to committing to the program, they were helpful answering any questions that I had and got back to me quickly.
Website Information: The website has pretty much everything you need to know on it. Definitely a good resource. Also, watching some of the videos that previous volunteers have created will give you a decent picture of what it is like at the program.

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Yes
10 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View?
I googled paramedic volunteer opportunities and the A Broader View website was one of the first results to come up.

Volunteer Honduras

1. How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Rafael and his family were very accommodating. Rafael was extremely approachable and always happy to help if you needed anything or had any concerns.

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

• At the program:  The main thing that was different to the dental setting in Australia are the lower standards of infection control in Honduras. This included changing only the instrument trays on the bracket table and not wiping anything down after and between patients.
• At the accommodation: Not having hot water was a challenge to begin with, especially on some of the colder nights we experienced. Hot water is something most of us take for granted. Also, there is a difference in diet here in Honduras that we don’t really experience in a western society and took time to get used to.
• About the country: The people are very friendly and welcoming and there wasn’t really any time throughout the program that we felt unsafe.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

• At the program: Having to work to your best ability with the limited dental equipment available in the clinic and the fact they have some different instruments that we aren’t accustomed to using in Australia.
• At the accommodation: The difference in their diet here we had to adapt  as it was different to what we were used to back home.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

• Clothing: If you’re coming in December bring a jacket and long pants because it can get cool during the nights. Also, don’t bring clothing that you’re worried about getting ruined because the streets tend to be quite muddy during this period (rainy season).
• Donations: The dental clinic is grateful for any donations, but regularly need extra gloves, masks, alcohol based hand rub, scaling and cleaning instruments and extraction instruments.
• Weather: December can be quite rainy on and off most days. It also tends to get quite cold in the night.

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

Learn basic Spanish beforehand since the majority of people don’t know much English. Additionally.

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

Overall, the ABV program in La Ceiba is well organized. The dentists at the clinics in the hospital are very welcoming and supportive. The program has helped me to improve my dental skills and I would recommend the program to any current dental students who wish to obtain more practical experience.

Volunteering in Honduras

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:

We were always provided with 3 meals a day. The majority of meals consisted of rice, beans, eggs and tortillas and were prepared by the maid. The house has a secure gate at the entry and we never felt unsafe. The accommodation had all the necessities including bed linen, a pillow, running water and purified drinking water.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

• Program: After getting to know the local dentists at the clinic, one of them hosted a farewell barbecue for us at his house. It was a nice way to conclude the two-week experience.
• Country: During the first weekend in La Ceiba we went white water rafting in the mountains and to the hot springs with Henry, a local tour guide.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

• Communication (Phone/emails/online chat): Prior to arriving, ABV was very supportive and I was always able to get a quick response to any questions I had via the online chat or an email.
• Website Information: The information on the website regarding the ABV dental program in La Ceiba gave a thorough outline of what the program entailed.

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, if any future ABV volunteers required further information, I will be more than happy to answer them and provide any details regarding our experience.

10 – Can you tell us how you found out or know about A Broader View?

Google search and the website.

Volunteer Honduras

1. How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Rafael was an excellent and extremely helpful ABV coordinator. He helped us settle and transition in smoothly (despite some political turmoil in which we landed, unbeknownst to us), he provided us with helpful tips for living in La Ceiba, helped us through daily problems we had, and aided us with communicating with patients in the dental clinics.

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

In the program: The most surprising thing that I experienced in the program was how different clinics were to clinics back home in Australia. For starters, they lack many instruments, materials and diagnostic equipment that we take as indispensable back at home. Appointments are extremely treatment driven without comprehensive diagnostic examinations, investigations, diagnosis and treatment planning that we would normally do before undertaking any form of invasive treatment on patients. Treatment is often dictated by patient wishes even if the clinician thinks otherwise. Furthermore, record keeping is close to nil and sterilisation practices are extremely primitive and would normally be considered as unsatisfactory back home.

At the accommodation: There were a couple of things that I found surprising at the accommodation. The lack of hot water meant that you couldn’t take a hot shower, especially during the colder times of the rainy season in December. Additionally, the portion size of meals was also strikingly different. As privileged individuals living in developed countries, most of us take the amount of food choices and quantity sizes on offer for granted.

ABV: hot water is not a luxury Honduras has as the weather can be very hot, so showers are cold water to overcome the heat.(December temperatures: 79F to 82F)

About the country: The most surprising thing that I experienced about the country was the political turmoil on arrival in La Ceiba, which I had no idea about prior. We experienced flight and transport issues where protestors had blocked off roads including the one serving the airport to the city centre. We had to trek through an angry mob of protestors and climb over barriers that they had formed with all of our luggage. I would say that it was quite a frightening and confronting experience at the time, especially as we had just arrived in a completely new environment. Nonetheless, the locals were very welcoming to us seeing that we were foreigners.

ABV: this was an exception to the norm, the recent elections had some problems with the votes, but things are back to normal, we know you didn’t have any problems while in la Ceiba, all this issues you mention were mainly in Tegucigalpa or the capital.

3. What was most difficult to experience?

Volunteer Honduras: The most difficult thing to experience in the program was working in extremely different environments to one that we were used to. As mentioned before, lack of basic dental materials, instruments and equipment that we take for granted back at home, suboptimal infection control practices, lack of proper instrument sterilisation and appropriate diagnostic and treatment planning procedures was something that required understanding and quick adaptation to while working. Furthermore, I found treating paediatric patients particularly challenging as treatment techniques and practices were extremely different to ones that I was used to back home.

At the accommodation: I found the lack of hot water the most difficult thing to experience at the accommodation, particularly at the beginning. Since I have always had hot water at home, spending a couple of weeks without hot water was something that I had to get used to quite quickly, especially during the days when the weather became quite cold at night.

ABV: small third wold challenges to overcome.

The country: Sanitation is something that Honduras differs remarkably with developed countries. I had a couple of bouts of an upset stomach which did not help when I had my volunteering shifts. However, the most important thing is to understand how to avoid situations that may pose a risk to this occurring in the future. This includes things such as avoiding street food if possible, avoiding ice, drinking bottled water, making sure your food is cooked through thoroughly and washing your hands before handling or eating food. Raphael was excellent in guiding us in this.

ABV: yes don’t eat or drink from street vendors, or when doing a tour, make sure you get bottle water, don’t use ice, and try to eat all your meals at the volunteer house, you can also try food at the local mall or reputable restaurants.

Volunteering in Honduras

4. Tips for future volunteers

• Clothing: If you are travelling and volunteering in December, make sure that you pack long pants, long shirts and sweaters as it can get quite cold, particularly at night and when it rains. Try and leave your expensive clothes and shoes at home as roads can get quite muddy and dirty and you won’t want to risk destroying them.
• Donations: I admit that it was hard for me before I came to La Ceiba to imagine the conditions that people work in Honduras. As a result, any form of donation is extremely valued by the hospital. In the dental clinics, simple restorative equipment and materials that we normally use back home may not be available or be extremely limited in supplies. For example, this may include gloves, masks, scaling and cleaning equipment, dental filling materials, polishing materials, auxiliary equipment such as dappen dishes and microbrushes, alcohol wipes, disinfecting surface wipes, alcohol hand sanitisers, toothbrushes and toothpastes. It will also make your experience more enjoyable having these at your disposal in clinics.
• Weather: Research the local weather prior to travelling to La Ceiba as it can vary during different times of the year. I had expected La Ceiba to be quite hot and humid and did not pack many long sleeve clothing, and thus fell short when it became quite rainy and cool, particularly during some nights.

5. Other things volunteers should know

I did not speak much Spanish before I arrived and regretted it when I realised that communication with locals and patients was often limited because of this. You don’t need to be fluent, but if you can get to a basic level and understand basic conversation, it will make your experience more enjoyable being able to interact on a more personal level.

ABV: you can also download itranslate apps, or take our Spanish lessons course in La Ceiba and print a cheatsheet with keywords and phrases to use with locals.

Something that I was really happy that I brought was traveller’s diarrhoea and stomach cramp medication. You can buy most medications without doctor’s prescriptions in Honduras (except for some psychiatric medication), but it was handy to have it at my disposal as soon as I felt something come on.

ABV: Rafael (local coordinator) also has medication if needed, if other volunteers need help make sure you speak with the local coordinator to help with any situation and email us or call the US office)

6. Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial)

The ABV dental volunteering program provided me with a platform to further my practical dental skills and build relationships with the local Hondurans. As some aspects of my practical experience was limited back home, the program allowed me to fill in those gaps and build up my confidence. I enjoyed every moment of the program which included interacting with dentists and dental interns, treating patients, working out solutions to challenging problems, building resilience and exploring La Ceiba and its surrounds on weekends. I would recommend this program to anyone completing a dental degree as it will make you a more well-rounded and competent dentist in the future.

Gap Year Honduras

7. How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security

The homestay accommodation that I stayed in can be described as simple with basic amenities provided. There is no hot water which may take getting used to for some. Hondurans usually have three meals a day. Expect lighter meals as most Hondurans generally do not eat as much as those living in developed countries. Breakfast can range from cereal and toast to pancakes and fruit. Lunch and dinner generally consists of rice, beans, eggs and cheese.

There are fast food restaurants around the accommodation if you ever feel you need to supplement your calorie intake. Despite many websites deeming Honduras as unsafe, security is generally in La Ceiba is very good as long as you adhere to common sense and general precautions that locals give (eg. not going out late past 9pm). Hondurans are extremely friendly, particularly if they see you as a foreigner. I don’t think I’ve gotten this many smiles from locals and cars stopping and giving way to me while crossing the road!

8. What was your favourite memory in this trip?

• Program: My favourite memory in this trip has been interacting with dentists and dental interns on shifts. They have been extremely helpful and encouraging whenever I experienced difficulty in treating patients. As dental students or dentists, you will be extracting a lot of teeth which could be of valuable experience as it may not be something that you would do much back home. I also got to do many cleans and fillings.
• Volunteer Honduras: During weekends, I had the opportunity to go white water rafting and visit the hot springs. This was my first white water rafting experience and I must say that it was something that everyone should try at least once in their life! Henry, one of Rafael’s friends, took us on these tours and made our experience extremely fun and exhilarating

9. How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Communication (Phone/emails/online chat) I found the ABV USA support prior to travelling very helpful. A special mention to Sarah, who proved to be very professional and an excellent communicator, answering all my questions before and during my volunteering experience.

Website Information: the website was extremely comprehensive in answering the majority of questions about the program that I had. I was confident that it would provide me with an invaluable opportunity to complement my dental education.

10.  Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Definitely! I would encourage potential volunteers to ask as many questions as possible prior to travelling. I would be more than happy to help answer questions so that volunteers are fully equipped with the knowledge for an enjoyable and invaluable experience.

11.  Can you tell us how you found out or know about A Broader View?

I found out about A Broader View through Google and its website.

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Rafael was very welcoming and kind.  He was helpful in getting me oriented to the hospitals and introducing me to key people there.  On an ongoing basis, he checked-in with me to make sure if I was having a good experience.  Yet he also correctly assessed that I could manage independently as well and he gave me the room to do that.  He was also very flexible with altering the schedules to accommodate sufficient rest, occasional outings, and the type of medical volunteering opportunities of which I wanted  to take advantage.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program: The most surprising thing is how exhausting it is to work in a different health care system in a different language.  My brain would tire from constant attention to understanding Spanish and learning new systems.

At the accommodation: I was surprised to learn that Rafael was not only my coordinator, but also my host.  It was very helpful though because we could chat about how things were going over meals and he could help decipher some of the days’ puzzles from the hospital.

I also was surprised at how “suburban” the area is.  In many ways it didn’t feel like the typical neighborhood and life of what I have become accustomed in Central America.

About the country: I have traveled a fair amount in Central America so I was pretty prepared with my expectations – except how suburban it would be.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

At the program:

Just living everyday without the certainty of knowing what is going on around me – due to the different medical systems and the language.  I just had to be okay with not understanding a lot, as well as with taking responsibility for the quality of my own experience.
At the accommodation: I was quite happy with the accommodation.  Probably the most difficult part for me is that there were other english speakers there for me so it was hard to be immersed in Spanish as much as I would have liked.

The country: I think there is a cultural difference in how the Hondurans present themselves to someone they first meet (at least at the hospitals).  My experience was that it often felt like the nurses and doctors were dismissive, disinterested, or not very happy to have me there.  But I learned that if I extended myself a few times, they were surprisingly welcoming, friendly, and healthy.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing:

– surgery cap

– blood pressure cuff

Donations:

– thermometers – non-digital

– athletic tape

– ace wraps

– don’t bring items to donate such as alcohol wipes, ointments, fancy bandages because they will only be a novelty and probably not used – and certainly not something they will invest in buying in the future.

Volunteering in Honduras

4.1 -Other things volunteers should know:

a.- Knowing a fair amount of Spanish is definitely helpful

b.- Spend time at the hospital helping with some of the more mundane tasks such as restocking items needed on a daily basis, making gauze pads, putting together paperwork.  The nurses will appreciate it hugely and they will give back by teaching you even more.

c.- This is not really a volunteer program as much as it is a volunteer opportunity.  Very little is actually set in stone or set up.  You have to be okay with lots of ambiguity and you are really the one responsible for the form, day-to-day experiences, and the quality of your experience.  So, be direct with the nurses and doctors about what you want to do., such as only observe, or focus wound care, or learn how to insert IVs.  If you tell them, and remind them, they will give you the opportunity, if you don’t tell them, they likely won’t suggest it.

d.- Pace yourself.  It can be really tiring and frustrating so give yourself room to take an afternoon off, or go in late, if it helps with your energy level.

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

I have had a good experience as a medical volunteer in La Ceiba, Honduras through A Broader View. I chose to do a program like this because I want a career change and medicine is a new career path I have been considering.  Before committing to it, I wanted some more direct experience to inform my decision.  I knew it can be very difficult to get real hands-experience like this in the U.S., but I also knew that those restrictions don’t exist in many developing countries. This, along with my love of experiencing new places and cultures, made a medical volunteering program the perfect opportunity to “try on” the job of ER nurse.

I certainly got hands-on experience. From simple cleaning of wounds to response to cardiac infarctions, from inserting IVs to early labor care, I was able to practice skills I already had and learn new ones and new techniques. The volume of patients allowed for many chances to improve skills and communication.

In addition to the hands on experience, I was able to assist with more advanced procedures and to observe surgeries close to the side of surgeon performing the operation.

What I found most fascinating though was the resourcefulness of the doctors and nurses.  Without the benefit of advanced technologies and supplies, these personnel relied more on the tried and true techniques of medicine. They  were also inspiringly creative in making their own “technology and supplies” to serve the same purposes but using the things they have on hand.  For me, this was an invaluable aspect to experience.

I am happy with the experience I have had here and will remember it fondly as I move into my new career as a nurse.

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Absolutely amazing. Rafael and his entire family were warm, welcoming, and loving. THEY are such a huge part of what made this experience so amazing. The family is huge, and it will feel like you’re seeing a new person each day. Make sure to get to know each new person, because they will add so much to your life here. I cannot say enough about the family!

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program: The hospitals, specially the regional, can be tough to work in. I challenge you to walk into your day with a completely open mind. Understand that there are very different standards here, but different does not mean bad. Learn from them!

At the accommodation: How many people live in this house!! It’s wonderful, and I strongly encourage getting to know everyone here. They are so amazing and loving, and become your family if you let them. I know I will miss and think about them all after I leave.

About the country: The BEAUTY! This country is green as can be, with constant sunshine, breeze from the sea, and views of the amazing mountains that surround this city. With quick and occasional rain showers (depending on the season you come in) you have a perfect balance of heat and cooling off. I cannot say how beautiful nature is here. Take it all in.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

At the program: There are times when you will be working in the hospital and feel frustrated or embarrassed. Some doctors speak English, but for the most part the language barrier is something you will have to constantly climb. Don’t let this discourage you!!! Try and get some practice in before coming, and most of all ASK QUESTIONS! This is the only way you’ll get better, and you will get better

At the accommodation: This is tough question because in so many ways, any “rough” experiences at our home stay weren’t difficult at all. The showers here are cold, there’s no hot water in La Ceiba, but there’s also no reason for it. You will be so hot by the end of the day you’ll be excited to get into your freezing shower. The second “difficult” experience is that periodically, certain grids of the city will loose power. It’s an easy fix however, as when the power goes off you and the whole family migrate to the porch to get some fresh air. In many ways, it’s really nice! Quality time, no wifi, no worries.

The country: I will say that it can be tough to see the way some people live, but this is a constant around the world. It can be draining, but the moments of happiness in this trip out weigh any moments of sadness by a long shot.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing:  Tank tops, tank tops, tank tops. I brought some tshirts, but minus my super light weight ones, I couldn’t bring myself to wear them. Too hot!

Also don’t be afraid to pack a few sundresses. You never know where your weekend will take you, be it Cayo’s Cochinos or Utila!

As for shoes, I suggest Chaco’s. They are so versatile and sturdy and are perfect to wear when you’re walking around the city or the mountains.

Donations:  BRING DONATIONS. I cannot stress this enough. There is only so much you can do while working in the hospital…but the donations will go far. And if you cannot bring donations physically, fundraise, fundraise, fundraise and come with a $1,000 US check and buy things for them here. Bring anything you can and as much as you possibly can!

(A great resource to help you with this is an organization called Americares. They helped us bring nearly $8,000 worth of supplies for nearly free. They are amazing, and it will help not only you but the hospital!)

Weather: It’s hot. However, depending on how long you’re staying you do seem to acclimate (or just expect the heat?). Either way, be prepared to sweat so much that at some point stop caring about how much you’re sweating. It’s an experience and it’s awesome

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

a.- DONATIONS. Donations. Donations. Bring them or bring fundraiser money for the hospitals!!

b.- Come here for longer than a week. Staying here for a week allows you to gain from your time here, but doesn’t allow you to give much. I would suggest coming for two weeks at MINIMUM.

c.- Sign up and pay for the Spanish lessons!! They are so worth your time and money, and will make your transition here so much easier. The teachers are so great and the learning you do is so important

Volunteer in Honduras

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

I would not trade this month for the world. It has given me incredible into lives that are so far from my own. As cliche as it sounds, my life will never be the same and for that I am forever grateful. Time changes you here in the most positive of ways. I cannot thank the people here enough for what they’ve given me, and I can only hope I’ve given them half of what I’ve gotten.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:

The accommodations here are beyond amazing. You are never left hungry, and the Honduran food is beyond amazing. Get ready for Baleada Monday’s!!

As for security, I have quite literally never felt unsafe in this wonderful home. It’s beautiful and safe and comfortable. I cannot stress enough how awesome this home is!

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: ABV has been beyond wonderful! We actually had the unique experience of meeting someone in the hospital working for another organization. This other organization was quite terrible, and left the volunteer with no contacts or help. Rafael ended up stepping in and taking her under his wing. Her 3 weeks here were immediately changed, and she left happy because of Rafael and what he knows from ABV. This is truly a wonderful and trustworthy organization, and I am thankful every day we found this company.

Country: The people. I almost don’t want to say too much, as it is totally a wonderful personal experience. I will say, that I have met some of the kindest people here and a sense of hospitality and community I have never quite seen back in the US. Definitely come here and check it out for yourself as it is a life changing experience!

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

ABV USA support was great during our time here! They emailed us a handful of times, making sure we had all emergency contacts we needed, that we were settling in nicely, and enjoying our time here.

Website Information:  The website is great and so easy to navigate. If you are struggling with anything you can use the live chat as well, and there is always someone from ABV on the other end to answer your questions!

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Absolutely!

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

He was fantastic. He provided us with everything we could have needed and more, and supported us through the entire month long process.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program:

The difference in medical care practices i.e. Less of a focus on sterility for patients and providers, and less ‘PFA’ or compassionate communication with the patients from the healthcare providers. Both are things that are heavily stressed in the US health care system, and we have developed habits in our work at home that were harder to achieve while here (such as wearing gloves and using sterile techniques). Honestly, I was expecting somewhat of a systemless form of healthcare, but La Ceiba does have a system, it is just very different from what we are used to in the United States.

At the accommodation:

The most surprising thing about the accommodations was that they were much complete than had been expected. We set our expectations to be packed into a bedroom with maybe a shared bathroom, but the house we stayed at (Rafael’s home) was more than enough for us during the four week stay. Rafael has a very large extended family that was very good to us and helped us with everything from cooking to getting to know the city.

About the country:

We traveled from the U.S., and the expectations we had about Honduras were from our “state department sites” and word of mouth from other friends and family. When we arrived and got to know the country, or at least the city of La Ceiba, we realized how different the country and the people here are from the way they are depicted by our country. I was most surprised, very happily, by the welcoming nature and generosity that was displayed by the citizens of La Ceiba. Our first week here we helped the Secretary of Health with a vaccination campaign that required us to go door to door in the outlying neighborhoods of the city to ensure that all at risk populations were vaccinated. During this process we truly saw the incredibly kind and genuinely thankful aspect of the Honduran people. While some people have a somewhat negative perception of western, specifically U.S. culture, the majority of people just want to offer you a bottle of soda.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

At the program:

From a medical standpoint, there is obviously a huge lack of funding, supplies, training, and manpower that inhibits the ability for the medical system in place here to function at an adequate capacity. Witnessing the unavoidable decrease in the quality of care due to these things was very difficult. For just one example, the ‘Hospital Viejo’ – the public hospital in the center of La Ceiba – truly has no money or supplies. Because of this, patients who come to the hospital for treatments of their infections or removal of their stitches are often required to bring their own medical supplies for the doctors and nurses to provide care. Antibiotic cream as well is only available if the patient can afford it and bring it with them for application by medical professionals. It was definitely hard to be unable to provide the care that we are accustomed to, but the knowledge that our being there could improve the quality of care, both by bringing donations and fresh hands, was enough to balance the difficulty.

At the accommodation:

The accommodations were truly very comfortable and enjoyable. The most difficult thing, which is consistent with everywhere in Honduras and not only the homestay, was the heat. Our trip was four weeks in length, and by the end of the second week we felt as though we had acclimated and found ways to avoid being overcome by the heat, but anyone planning a trip should prepare to be very hot when in the home. Luckily, there are many fans and a gentle breeze goes a very long way to cool down the body.

The country:

La Ceiba is absolutely beautiful, but the standards of cleanliness in terms of water quality and food sources (out of our host family)  are not the same as in many other more developed countries. All five of us were the patients at one point or another during the trip when a quick bug crippled our ranks temporarily (after doing a tour on a weekend). The officials in the city have, in the time that we’ve been here, determined that there was some kind of big – a virus or bacteria – that spread across much of the city, affecting not only us volunteers but also the local Honduran people. It was very difficult to deal with the symptoms of this 20 hour bug, so come prepared with a refillable water bottle, and some diarrhea, nausea/vomiting drugs, maybe antibiotics and a multivitamin just in case.

Volunteer in Honduras

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing:

Lots of socks and underwear/other things that you don’t feel comfortable wearing more than once. If you’re staying for more than a week then you’ll probably need to do laundry, which is done by hand or at a next-day dry cleaner down the road. In the home, it’s acceptable to wear whatever is comfortable. Tank tops and shorts were what I wore around the house to avoid the heat and sweating through everything. Because it is HOT here, sweating is very common and acceptable, so after a week we got used to not caring about how soaked our shirts/scrubs were. Footwear: Sneakers, sandals (flip flops are good but I brought sandals with secure straps and didn’t regret it), and another pair of comfortable shoes.

Donations:

The public hospital needs just about everything, but most importantly is:

Sterile gauze (all kinds but rolls of gauze are great), soap, ALCHOL for cleaning instruments (Alcohol swabs for injections too), liquid Iodine, blood pressure cuffs/stethoscopes, GLOVES for nurses to wear when doing IVs/ exams, toothbrushes/toothpaste. Medications: Aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen.

Weather:

Bug Spray: DEET is not the healthiest thing for humans, but it definitely keeps the bugs away. Some pure DEET spray (99%) is great to spray on a backpack or clothing if you go anywhere on the weekends, but don’t go over 30% DEET on your skin. Other, natural forms of bug repellant is a good idea too.

Sun Screen: The sun here is different, and its strong, so bring some heavy duty sunscreen to protect yourself.

Temperatures are regularly in the 90s and super humid, so dress accordingly.

La Ceiba is a very developed city, and there are a couple of great stores where you can buy anything that you might forget in the states, or that you don’t want to pack in your luggage.

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

a.- Honduran people in La Ceiba are great, kind, and welcoming.

b.- Safety should be a concern in the same way that it should be a concern in any major city of any country.

c.- Unless you’re central american of some kind, you will not blend in and everyone will notice your presence, but this does not mean you’re unsafe.

d.- Honduras is Hot! Prepare for the heat and the humidity.

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

We stayed with the ABV coordinator in La Ceiba, and it was truly a wonderful accommodation. We were not expecting much, but Rafael’s home and his large extended family were nothing but kind to us for the month long stay. There were five of us traveling and working together for the four weeks, and we were split among three rooms and three bathrooms. The terrace on the second floor has an incredible view and breeze that allows for somewhat of a cool down. All meals were provided for us three times a day, 7 days a week and Honduran food is very good (Baleada mondays every week in Rafael’s house were always the best). Rafael made sure that we were safe, and that we got as much out of this experience as we were able to give to the Honduran people of La Ceiba. I will forever have a more enlightened view of the world and global healthcare due to the experiences I have attained on this trip. I would suggest staying in country as long as you possibly can, because it takes a short while to acclimate socially and get used to the way things work down here. By week two, we had made great relationships with the doctors and nurses that continued to be strengthened over the following two weeks. The ABV program provided us with everything that we needed and more, and when we come back in the future we will be working with ABV again.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:

The family and food were great. We got to learn how to make some traditional Honduran food, and we were never hungry here. In terms of security, we were apprehensive because of what we had heard about the country itself, but we very rarely felt uncomfortable in public situations, and never felt as though we were in any danger. That being said, we made it a point to keep a low profile and not attract too much negative attention to ourselves when in public. Overall, respectful foreigners will be safe in La Ceiba.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: Working with the children in the Hospital was incredible. Being able to communicate with the patients by the end of the four weeks and make their days a bit better was so rewarding. Because of the limited medical providers and overworked nurses and doctors, patient affect is something that often is not a focus, so a smile and a compassionate “Como esta?” can go a long way and make a patients day a bit better.

Country: We took a weekend trip to a river that flows through Pico Bonito National Park and hiked up to a few waterfalls. The trip ended with rock jumping and some food at a small, family run hostel along the river. This afternoon was a great break from the busy weeks in the hospitals.

 8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

The ABV staff was a huge help before our trip. The information that we had available to us was sufficient for planning the trip and we did not feel as though we were underprepared in any way for the work we were doing here. ABV was prompt and informative in answering any questions we had whether via email or phone calls. When returning to do more service in Honduras or abroad in other countries I will be contacting ABV to organize.

Website Information:

The Website was a great source for information and for organizing all of the trip information in one place.

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I’d love to talk and share anything with anyone.

10 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View?

We were looking for a volunteering abroad experience and found the ABV program online. We chose the program because we felt as though we could use our training in the healthcare system here in La Ceiba.

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Our ABV Coordinator in Honduras helped us with everything we needed during our trip. We were able to volunteer at multiple hospitals with his help. During the week he always made sure we knew where to go and would check in during the day to make sure everything was okay. After a few weeks our group felt comfortable finding our way though the hospitals and helping wherever we were needed.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

At the program: The most surprising thing was how patient and helpful the nurses and doctors were. I would have totally understood if they had been frustrated with my broken spanish and potentially slowing their work down, but in my experience the nurses and doctors were patient and kind and helpful.

At the accommodation: the house felt like home almost immediately. I was surprised by how comfortable and modern the house was. I had my own room and bathroom, and had a fan to use at night. There were some small surprises like not being able to flush the toilet paper (many countries in latinamerica do this) and not using the sink water to brush my teeth, but overall I felt totally comfortable and safe at the house. The food was amazing and there are a ton of places for snacks and other food within walking distance.

About the country: The most surprising thing about the country was definitely the people. During our first week we helped with the vaccination campaign and were able to walk through different neighborhoods in the city giving vaccinations, vitamins, and parasite medications to the citizens of La Ceiba. It amazed me how amicable and generous the people were. People would frequently welcome us into their homes and offer cold drinks or fresh fruit from trees in their yard. Seeing the different places people lived and interacting with the community outside of the hospital was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

At the program: The most difficult experience about the program was probably adjusting to the different working environment. All of us are Advanced EMT’s and work on an ambulance in Vermont so we’ve had training in wound care, IV establishment, CPR, medication administration, etc.. We are all so fortunate to have sterile supplies and all the resources we need to provide care to our patients, so it was difficult to adjust to minimal resources. It not only gave me a new appreciation for my own ambulance service, but also made me realize that there is still so much more our group can do to help here in the future.

At the accommodation: I didn’t have any major problems with the accommodation. The only minor setback for me was being sick for a few days after doing a weekend tour, so I would recommend bringing pepto bismol and an antibiotic incase you’re sick for more than a few days. It was definitely hot and sweaty most of the time, but we all acclimated pretty quickly.

The country: The most difficult thing about the country was seeing how little some people have. The hospitals have very few supplies, and patients are often responsible for bringing their own gauze or ointment to care for wounds. We were able to donate around $8,000 worth of medical supplies, but even still we felt there was so much more we should have brought. For the first time I encountered patients whom I knew how to care for, but didn’t have the means to provide care, and that was really tough for me.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

Clothing: It’s hot so loose breathable clothing is ideal. Bring lots of scrubs because you need to change into clean scrubs if you want to watch a surgery. There are also opportunities to go on little trips to hike or swim or go to the islands, so be sure to bring good shoes and swim things too.

Donations:  Donations are definitely needed here. We were fortunate to find a non-profit organization that gave us medical supplies to donate to the hospitals here, so I would definitely recommend researching and/or fundraising to bring as much as you can. There is a huge need for basic medical supplies like gloves, gowns, facemasks, sterile gauze, antibacterial ointment, tournicates, alcohol pads, etc.. If there was anything I could have done differently it would have been to bring more donations. Even donations aside from medical supplies like clipboards, pens, staplers, whiteout, soap, hand sanitizer are needed. You can also buy locally all these items.

Weather: It’s hot and humid every day so be prepared to sweat. There are some areas of some of the hospitals that have air conditioning, and there are some local places with AC as well if you need to chill out for a bit. But overall be ready to sweat a lot, bring cooling towels.

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

a. The doctors and nurses are very helpful and friendly so don’t be shy. Ask to help and don’t be afraid to make mistakes in Spanish as long as you’re trying. But also learn as much Spanish as you can before you come. I would recommend taking a Spanish class (or 3) if you can, and keeping a Spanish/English dictionary or medical dictionary on you.

b. Bring bugspray!! And lots of sunscreen

c. The city and country are beautiful and I would definitely recommend making the most of your down time, but still focusing on spending as much time in the hospital as possible.

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

Volunteering Honduras in the hospitals and walking through the neighborhoods vaccinating the community was one of the most unique and life changing experiences I’ve had. Being in EMS has allowed me to see a decent amount of medical emergencies, but observing the effects of poverty and lack of medical resources first hand truly altered my perception. I always felt comfortable and at home in my host house, and I made so many connections that I hope will last longer than my month here. This trip was everything I’d hoped it would be and so much more, and I can’t wait to return.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:

The house was great, I always felt comfortable and at home. We had our meals cooked for us at the house, but we could always go out to eat if we let the family know beforehand. One night we also cooked for everyone in the house which was super fun. I always felt safe at home, and walking around felt to me like most other big cities in the U.S. We were pretty much always home before dark and stayed together as a group whenever we went anywhere. There are taxis all throughout the city too if we ever wanted to go somewhere we could get one, or the coordinator would call a taxi for us if we wanted to go somewhere together.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: My favorite program memory was being able to spend time with the new born babies after c-sections. The first c-section I saw I cried when the baby came out strong and healthy, the doctors made fun of me for a little bit after that. But it really is an incredible thing to be one of the first people to hold a new born baby.

Country: One afternoon we went to the waterfalls in the mountains and it was the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

ABV answered all of the questions I had before coming. At one point I had to email them probably 3 times about my fundraising page and they were always very helpful.

Website Information:

I watched basically all of the videos from people who had done this service trip before and I found them to be so helpful and accurate.

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes definitely!!

10 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View?

Marty, one of the people in our group, found ABV online.

Volunteer Honduras

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

Fantastic! He was always helpful and helped us plan the best possible 4 weeks of service. Dividing our time between 2 different hospitals was a great was to experience everything Last Ceiba has to offer, and it was possible because of the coordinator.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

• At the program: During the first week in La Ceiba, we worked with staff from Hospital Regional and traveled around the city to vaccinate (always in the month of May). This was an extremely eye opening experience, and allowed us to sit and talk from residents all over the city. During vaccinations you will see true poverty, but everyone (regardless of socioeconomic status) welcomed you into their homes.
• At the accommodation: The accommodation was extremely comfortable, always had access to drinking water, great food, and a hammock to rest on. Most surprisingly was the proximity to fast food restaurants, grocery stores, and a laundromat.
•  About the country: Honduras has many of the same amenities and stores as America.  Sometimes you can forget you’re in a different country!

3- What was most difficult to experience?

• At the program: For those of you who want to work while volunteering abroad, this can be the place for you. If you come into the program with knowledge about healthcare and can demonstrate it to the staff you are working with, you should expect to be hands-on during you’re time here. What was most difficult, for me, was doing so in a different language. If you want to fully utilize you’re knowledge in patient care, be prepared with some Spanish!
• At the accommodation: Not much was difficult at the house (besides a little travel sickness)! If staying with Rafael, you will absolutely be comfortable.
• The country: After four weeks I feel I am just starting to get a taste of Honduras. My most difficult experience in the country has nothing to do with safety or security, and I feel that misconception is damaging. La Ceiba is a city that can use your help. Whether you are a teacher, construction worker, EMT, or doctor, you can make a difference here. My most difficult experiences while in Honduras revolve around the stories of residences who could use help, but can’t get it from the government, city, or volunteers unwilling to travel here.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

• Clothing: A small suitcase full of clothes and scrubs lasted me about two weeks, and a nearby laundromat costed about 200 Lempira ($8 USD) to wash it all. I never once used a long sleeve shirt or pants, but it could be useful for hiking. Pack light and leave behind your scrubs, they will go to good use.
• Donations:  Preferred donations vary based on where you are bringing them, but Rafael is a great resource to find out what hospitals and clinics need what. Our group utilized Americares, which provides us about $8,000 worth of gauze, medications, and bandaging supplies for free. Everything was divided amongst the firefighters and hospitals, and put to use almost instantly. No matter how long you are staying, try not to show up empty handed. Bringing donations is a great way to gain respect from the doctors, nurses, and hospital administration.

The real work comes in getting the donations to Honduras​, because anything sent by mail is subject to large taxes by the government. If you want to bring the most donations at the lowest cost, consider filling a checked bag (old suitcase you don’t mind leaving here) solely with donations.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to buy donations here (in fact, plan on it). Hospital administration can provide you a list of what they need the most in the moment, and you can safely use your credit card to purchase it.

• Weather: Sure it’s hot, but you’re expecting that! Just a friendly reminder that sweating is normal.  We got used to the heat around the start of week three.

Volunteer Honduras

4.1-Other things volunteers should know:

• Rafael’s house can comfortably sleep large groups (we were a group of five)
• You should plan on weekend activities.  For around $50 USD you can take island tours, white water raft, hike, or snorkel.
• Pace of life is slower, and while you will be doing a lot of work, everyone runs on “Honduras time”
• The people will be grateful of any talents you bring to this great country, and you will be welcomed with open arms. It’s okay to be called a tourist or “gringo/gringa”!

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

Volunteer Honduras La Ceiba…​ is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people who can use your help. For our group, we wanted a place that we could use our skills as Advanced EMTs to make a difference and help in anyway. Not only did we use these skills, but found out that La Ceiba has a lot more to offer than rewarding service. The four weeks we’ve spent here have been filled with new friends, hard work, and thought-provoking experiences.

Personally, I felt the four weeks flew by, and was just enough to begin to understand Honduran culture, problems, and beauty.  Our weekend travels were to some of the most magnificent places imaginable,(Cayos Cochinos, Pico Bonito, Utila, and the local river are musts) and allowed us to see the best Honduran tourism had to offer. As an AEMT and Neuroscience student the time spent with patients, watching surgeries, and speaking with doctors and nurses here has been extremely valuable.

All in all, I hope you choose (or have chosen) La Ceiba as your site through ABroaderView, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. As I sit on my last night typing on my phone (sorry for the typos), I can say with certainty I will leave tomorrow a better healthcare provider and a more thoughtful person.

Please, please, please reach out at the contact information below if you have even the smallest question!

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:

Fantastic, all around. Safe and secure house with WiFi, clean water, and comfortable rooms. Our host family was accommodating and helpful always, and I truly felt at home.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: So many good memories, but scrubbing into multiple surgeries was a fantastic learning opportunity. From C-Sections to orthopedic surgeries, we were lucky enough to have talent staff as our personal teachers.

Being able to put our donations to use immediately in Hospital Regional was a great feeling, and the staff’s heartfelt gratitude is something I will never forget.

Country: As simple as it may sound, learning the city of La Ceiba through walking around, talking to people, and eating lots of food (Baleadas and Pastelitos). My favorite memories of the city give me the confidence to return at any time in the future, whether it be for service work or pleasure.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

The ABV office was phenomenal, and was always a phone call or email away when I had the smallest questions. The ABV office regularly checked in while we were here, and looking back now I would recommend them to everyone.

Through ABV, we were directed to another fantastic organization, which was easily the best way to find flights.

Website Information:

The ABV website provides great information about this program, and the reviews provide the most accurate description from the eyes of volunteers. Don’t be afraid to call or email ABV if you have more questions!

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Absolutely!

10 – Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View?

Google search led to some phone conversations with very friendly staff. The rest is history. Thank you for what you do ABV!