February 13, 2024As we enter the sacred season of Lent, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, students return to school in Honduras for the beginning of a new academic year. While we welcome them back over the next 6 weeks, we'd like to introduce you to some of the people involved in each of our programs!This will be a unique opportunity to deepen your spiritual connection and make a meaningful impact on the lives of primary and secondary students in Olancho, including those with … [Read more...]
Seeking OAF Board Member Candidates!
Seeking OAF Board Member Candidates!Olancho Aid Foundation is looking for 2-3 new board members to support and advance our mission. In particular, we hope to invite candidates with expertise in educational leadership/administration especially in Honduras, education-focused project management, nonprofit finance/accounting.See the full board member job description. … [Read more...]
Spotlight: Olancho Aid’s Clean Water Champion, Pablo Sarmiento!
Spotlight: Olancho Aid’s Clean Water Champion, Pablo Sarmiento! Starting in 2014, Olancho Aid began to confront a significant issue facing rural families in Honduras: the lack of access to clean water. It is common in Honduras for many rural communities to source their water from rivers that can be contaminated with agricultural waste and other pollution. Water contamination can also occur due to broken water system pipes or unsafe household water storage, which can lead to … [Read more...]
Six Questions and Answers about the Traveler Program
Six Questions and Answers about the Traveler Program For the first time, Olancho Aid is hosting trips that individuals, families, and small groups can sign up for. Since the program is new, there are lots of questions about how it will work and who can get involved. Here are some answers! If you have a question that's not addressed below, please email us at info@olanchoaid.org or request a 20-min intro call to learn more. 1. Why is Olancho Aid hosting trips? After connecting remotely … [Read more...]
Olancho Aid Announces New Executive Director
Olancho Aid Foundation Names Lauren O’Neill New Executive DirectorOlancho Aid Foundation is pleased to announce that Lauren O'Neill has been named Executive Director. Lauren was previously in the role of Director of Honduran Operations.She has more than 10 years experience in grassroots leadership, strategic partnership management, and international development along with a strong background working with NGOs, like Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos and Pro Mujer, that serve the people of … [Read more...]
Nazareth, A Project of Love
A History of Escuelita Nazareth Nazareth, a Project of Love The story of Nazareth begins with the arrival of a girl with Down syndrome at the Concepción de María School Center, her name was Tania Lemus. She sparked the interest of Licda. Blanca Rivera who believed children with disabilities should have the opportunity to receive educational services in Juticalpa. She began her efforts in 1994 and it took two years before she would find support for her efforts.A light of hope came through a … [Read more...]
Why do they leave home?
Why do they leave home?“You work in Honduras, help me understand why people leave.” “Why do people keep trying to cross the border even knowing they are unlikely to make it to the U.S. and not be deported?” “What is the Church doing to help suffering Hondurans?” “How can I help members of our parish understand the challenges faced by Catholics in Honduras?”These are but a few of the questions friends, family and members of my parish have asked me over the last few weeks. I am happy … [Read more...]
Carlos Announces Transition from Executive Director to New Role
Dear Friends,When I met the founder of Olancho Aid, he asked me three questions. “Do you know special education? Do you know construction? And finally, do you want to learn? I could only answer the last question enthusiastically, and I said, “yes!” Believe me, I had no idea how much I would come to understand through experience; as an educational organization we not only teach but we learn each and every day. My interaction with North American culture has helped me to understand that there … [Read more...]
Welcome, Lauren O’Neill, Director of Honduran Operations
Olancho Aid Foundation Names Lauren O’Neill New Director of Honduran Operations (Directora de Desarrollo) We welcome Lauren O’Neill to the Olancho Aid Foundation, Inc. team as Director of Honduran Operations. Lauren brings over 10 years experience in grassroots leadership, strategic partnership management, and international development along with a strong background working with NGOs that serve the people of Central America and the Caribbean. She completed a Masters in International … [Read more...]
Rob’s Adios
Rob Privette completed his term of service as a board member in December 2020. In many ways, he has been supporting Olancho Aid for over 13 years. Below are thoughts from Rob about his time with the Foundation. It seems like only yesterday that in 2007 Kristi and I were making preparations to go to Honduras to volunteer for a year and many of our friends were asking “You’re doing what?” Or saying “You are crazy!” And talk about a change of pace-we didn’t have a car, we didn’t have a … [Read more...]