2019

Organization: Honduran Child Alliance

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Finding out I had been selected for Team Honduras was a moment I soon will not forget. I always aimed to become involved in positive initiatives in my life, but words cannot describe how thrilled I was that I was joining a once-in-a-lifetime experience with such an enthusiastic and driven team of individuals- all in my first year of university!

I simply cannot understate the value of ASB’s weekly meetings, charity events, and social fundraisers held prior to our departure in May. Not only was it a great opportunity to befriend the whole team, but it showed how much one needs to be prepared prior to this type of travel. The group lessons about sustainable travel, safety, compassion, and understanding ensured that none of us were going in blind. Our vision was made very clear: we were not saving the world in one broad stroke; we were making a difference in small steps by educating ourselves and saving ourselves from ignorance. The work we were to conduct would be done sustainably and not contrary to the vision and needs of the community we would be entering. 

With all of that in mind, our journey began! Team Honduras flew overnight to San Pedro Sula, Honduras via Mexico City, concluding with a short domestic flight into the city of La Ceiba, nestled on the Caribbean Sea. Typically, a short connection to a final destination would be unremarkable, however our landing took us over the incredible mountains of the Central American Cordillera, a scenic welcome into our beautiful host country. 

Once landed in La Ceiba, we were greeted by our in-country host Honduran Child Alliance (HCA), who would welcome us to the small seaside village of El Porvenir. Together with HCA, our goal was to implement built form improvements to local elementary schools, in an effort for the children of El Porvenir to receive the best education possible. Our team was exhausted from the long journey, but our spirits were quickly raised by the warm welcome we received in El Porvenir. HCA had established a strong network with the locals who made us feel at home. Of course, I have to mention Iris and Montoya, along with their adorable little dog Coney, who opened the doors to their beautiful accommodation and were the most gracious of hosts throughout the month. It quickly became apparent that El Porvenir was a tight-knit community, a resilient village where people look after each other and value both hard work and respect. We were eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work. 

Our days on the job site were both challenging and highly rewarding. Early morning starts were key if we were to beat the powerful heat. While walking to the job site at 6:30am may sound exhausting, the glimpse of the incredible mountains on the horizon through the clear morning air made it a highlight of the day. The narrow village roads were often shared with small groups of cows and goats with the sound of roosters in the background. Everyone in El Porvenir is an early riser! The day-to-day work included a wide variety of tasks that allowed something for everyone. Digging, painting, woodwork, and concrete mixing would all be part of an honest day’s work. Alongside these tasks were opportunities to enhance the spaces with art, allowing us to explore our creative side. By late morning the heat would begin to take its toll, but our team stayed resilient by keeping the water and snacks flowing and the mood light and fun, all while getting the job done. The workday ended with lunch at Ana’s, who made some of the best Honduran food you could ever have, especially the baleadas!

The time spent outside of the job site could be spent relaxing and unwinding at our warm accommodation or the nearby beach. The team leaders planned some great social activities and games that allowed us to bond much closer as a team. Our downtime was also a terrific opportunity to interact with the locals, from learning Spanish to participating in some exhibition soccer matches. Not to mention some of the incredible excursions which explored some of the best that Honduras has to offer, from the beautiful Pico Bonito National Park nestled in the mountains, to afternoons exploring nearby La Ceiba, and the quaint island of Utila. These opportunities allowed closer bonds to be made and were some of the true highlights of our month together. 

As the month winded down we celebrated our time together with a final team dinner and a special awards presentation utilizing some cool looking rocks as trophies. It was a terrific opportunity to really reflect on all the unique gifts that each person brought to such an amazing team. As we left El Porvenir and headed home, we felt incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make our time incredible. We are thankful to HCA for being our gracious in-country hosts, to Iris, Montoya and Ana for their incredible kindness and hospitality, and to all the folks in El Porvenir who welcomed us with open arms. It was an absolute privilege of a lifetime to be on Team Honduras 2019. It allowed me to connect positively with others, get out of my comfort zone, and learn invaluable lessons that expanded my global perspective, shifting me further away from ignorance and further into a feeling of compassion for the planet we call home.