Volunteer
Due to it’s proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins and the tourism revenue this has brought to the area, Copan is relatively prosperous compared to other parts of Honduras.
However, there are still always volunteer opportunities available which are easy to organize once in Copan.
The local orphanage, for example, is always open to daily and long-term volunteers to play and help out with the children. Arte Accion, based at Casa de Todo also runs art programs for children and is occassionally in need of volunteers to assist with various projects.
There are also several other possibilities in Copan and around the region. Some which are highly recommended include:
AWARE (Animal Welfare Association – Rescue/Education) – Near Antiguta, Guatemala
An amazing opportunity to work with rescued and rehabilitated domestic animals is with AWARE, located just off the pan-American highway about 45 minutes by bus from Antigua in Guatemala.
This grassroots organization is run by an incredibly dedicated and good humored American/British couple, Xenii and Martin.
Their sanctuary farm, called Hound Heights, is home to over 170 dogs and nearly 70 cats and has a permanent on-site spay/neuter clinic. There are also plans to build an education centre which will provide free environmental education to local children and eventually basic literacy, numeracy and English language classes for the community.
Caring for the animals starts at 6 am in the morning and depending on medications and personal attention needed each day finishes at around 6 in the evening.
Some possible onsite duties include bathing, brushing, obedience training, medicating, cleaning cages, walking, and socialising with the animals along with assisting the local veterinarian in spay/neuter clinics or helping with the rabies programs in local villages. Fluent Spanish speakers might also be interested in assisting with the educational programs in local schools. No experience is necessary, only a genuine love of dogs and cats and qualified veterinarians are always especially welcome!
There is no charge to volunteer with AWARE.
Volunteer accommodation is available on the farm. The basic facility includes beds, a shower, cooking facilities, a refrigerator, drinking water, a TV/VCR with a wide selection of movies and a computer (without internet.) If staying on the farm, volunteers are asked to contribute US $5.00 per person per day to help cover the costs of electricity, water, and gas. Food is not included. Alternatively, there are some reasonably priced rooms to rent in the nearby village of Sumpango, which is a 15 minute walk from the farm or volunteers can stay in Antigua and take the bus daily back and forth for about $2 each way.
For the sake of the animals getting to know volunteers, a minimum commitment of two weeks is required with longer stays welcome. Contact Xenii and Martin directly on 5401-3148 (cell) or 7833-1639 (land line – when working.) The website is: www.animalaware.org
One former (seven year-old) volunteer says:
“Voluteering in Hound Heights is a great experience with dogs and cats.You get to walk them, feed them, bathe them, spend time with them, and most important help take care of them. There are over 150 dogs and over 70 cats in the place. I have gone and volunteered there. It was great. I might go back soon with my mom and have an even beter time than last. Hope that you go and have a great time too.”
Villa Verde Ecological Bilingual School – Gracias, Honduras
Villa Verde School is a non profit bilingual elementary school with a strong social and ecological mission located at the foot of Mount Celaque National Park.
The Gracias area is home to one of the largest regions of cloud forest left in Honduras. This resource, if managed sensitively can be the path out of poverty for local communities. The first step on that path is sound education.
The school believes that by fostering social and personal growth, by instilling the capacity and motivation to apply knowledge in a responsable way, and by nurtering the skills required to take decisions, solve problems and think creatively we can help the children of Gracias secure their own future and safeguard this unique environment.
Scholarship funds and volunteer teachers also allow at least 30 % of the students to come from low income families.
Volunteering at Villa Verde requires a one-year commitment to classroom teaching. Experienced primary school teachers with expertise or a special interest in environmental sciences, English as a Second Language and/or experiential learning are highly sought after. Furnished shared housing, a salary of $200 a month and medical insurance is provided. Teacher certification/licensing is not required, but highly recommended.
Recruitment ads are placed year-round on TeachAbroad.com. Otherwise contact school founder Frony directly at +504 656 1219. The website is: www.villaverdeschool.com
