This week's Olancho Aid Spotlight features former high school teacher and volunteer coordinator Megan Conley. During her two years of service with the Foundation, Miss Conley was known for her organization, her sense of humor, her dedication to her students, and her leadership of the volunteer program. Read on to learn more about what Miss Conley's experiences at Olancho Aid meant to her. Age: 26 Hometown: Coahoma, Texas University: Texas Tech … [Read more...]
Olancho Aid Spotlight: Carlos Gonzales
This week at Olancho Aid, we are highlighting Carlos Gonzales, who has been with the Foundation for ten years as both a student and a teacher. We recognize him today for his hard work and his dedication to his students' education. Thanks for all that you do, Mister Gonzales! Name: Carlos Javier Gonzales Acosta Hometown: La Concepción, Juticalpa University: UNAH (National Autonomous University of Honduras) When did you join Olancho Aid? I began working with … [Read more...]
Olancho Aid Spotlight: Wendy Varela
Every week, we will be highlighting a different member of the the Olancho Aid community. This week, we begin by recognizing Wendy Varela in honor of her birthday. Wendy has been a beloved part of the Olancho Aid family for over ten years, working in both the bilingual elementary school and in the main Foundation office. She is known throughout the Foundation for her hard work, her kindness, and her laughter. Read more about Wendy’s experiences at Olancho Aid in her interview … [Read more...]
First Quarter Completion – Jacob
First Quarter Completion Jacob - November, 2016 As the last student left the halls of the Instituto on Friday, the conclusion of the first Quarter of the school year drew to a close. It was a quarter filled with laughter, challenges, and a lot of new experiences. Upon its conclusion, I can favorably look back on the experience and look forward to the next three quarters still to come. Coming into the school year as a first time teacher, I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew there … [Read more...]
12 Things I’ve Learned
12 Things I’ve Learned for the 12 Weeks I’ve Been Here ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Linden - October 2016 So as of today (October 24th) I have officially been in this country for 12 weeks. To mark the 12 weeks of being here I thought I’d share 12 different things I have learned so far. Some more serious than others. Homesickness is a real thing. I thought I would last a lot longer, but I have come to realize … [Read more...]
Volunteer with the Olancho Aid Foundation!
The Olancho Aid Foundation is a Catholic non-profit organization operating in Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras. We strive to open up doors of opportunity and break the ever-pervasive cycle of poverty by providing quality, faith-based education to youth in the area. To assist in our mission, we host international volunteers each year to provide invaluable service to our projects. Below is detailed information about each of our volunteering opportunities. If you or someone you know would be … [Read more...]
Experience In Photos Marissa
Experience in Photos Marissa - Oct 2016 Kelly Ann, Linden, and I with some of the elementary Oscar, Walter, and I waiting for the Bible Parade to start. teachers at La Casita. Kelly Ann, Linden, and I at the beach in Utila. The school at the Independence Day parade. All the volunteers at the Juticalpa futbol game. Some … [Read more...]
Homesickness – Kelly Ann
HOMESICKNESS There's No Place Like Home Kelly Ann - September, 2016 I’d just like to start out by saying that I lasted a lot longer in the homesickness department than I thought I would. I tend to be a very emotional person. To say I’m close with my family would be an understatement; my cousins are some of my best friends and my parents are my rocks. So, when I hit that one-month mark here in Honduras, and realized that I hadn’t gotten upset or homesick at all, I was pretty proud of … [Read more...]
Afternoon Tutoring
Olancho Aid has a relationship with the orphanage located just down the street from the main office. Some of the children at the orphanage attend the foundation’s schools through scholarships facilitated by the foundation. The orphanage is run by nuns who care for the children and organize everything from their schooling to their meals. The nuns do an amazing job caring for the children, but they sometimes struggle with getting the children help with their homework, especially for the kids at … [Read more...]
A Day in the Life
Since being here in Honduras, I have adapted to the early to bed, early to rise mantra that seems prevalent in many parts of the world where the daylight hours dictate sleeping schedules. This definitely seems to be the case for most Hondurans. Every morning I wake up at 5:50am to get ready for school and we are out the door on our way to the bus stop by 6:15am. The bus stop is about two blocks away from our house located by the gas station. It passes here every morning to pick up students, … [Read more...]