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Build homes in La Esperanza, Honduras(Trip #56416)

Tour Overview

If you get fired up by the prospect of a overseas building project, head to Honduras. You can help build homes and schools in the poorest parts of the Western Highlands. The native Lenca people live in extreme poverty, often three families under one roof. But along with Save the Children, you could help them to make a new start. This is a real hands-on project where you help with everything from making sun dried bricks, to painting outside walls. The best bit is seeing the results of your work as you help families move into their new homes, or watch students attend the first day at their new school.

Day by Day Itinerary

Project details:
On our building projects in Honduras we work with Save The Children, whose activities are spread over a geographic area that includes the departments of Intibuca, Choluteca, Valle and Francisco Morazan.
Why the project needs volunteers:
The native Lenca people of the Western Highlands often live in poverty stricken conditions, sometimes with three families under one roof. Volunteers are desperately needed to help provide better homes for people who really need them as well as helping the communities build homes of their own.
What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You should be in reasonable physical shape as you will be getting involved in building work. You will need to be willing to get involved in hard work and be very 'hands on' and willing to get involved in anything that is asked of you. You have a love of the outdoors and not mind working in any weather. You will need to be easy going and be able to work alongside the local community as much of your time will be spent with the families. Building experience is not necessary but if you have a specific skill it will be welcomed.
Your role as a volunteer:
You would be involved in fairly labour intensive work due to the nature of the project of building homes in Honduras. There will be different activities you can get involved in such as renovation, labouring, painting, decorating, making bricks, building walls etc. During the dry season you will mainly be making bricks which involve taking straw and mud and getting into a big vat and mixing it altogether using your feet.
Where the project is based:
The building in Honduras project is based in the small town of La Esperanza (pop 13,000 ) which is in the Western Highlands of Honduras. It is 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. The local area is blessed with magnificent scenery and is fantastic for hiking/cycling. There are natural hot springs nearby where you can bath and will make a change from the cold showers you will have at the homestays. This is a great base to travel across to the Mayan Ruins at the weekend which is one of the major tourist attractions. Accommodation is in comfortable homestays with a local family.