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...]
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...]
EMBA Alumni Collaborate to Support a Community in Honduras
Inside Kellogg featured this article from Dr. Susan Nedza about experiences that influenced Olancho Aid's response to COVID-19. EMBA Alumni Collaborate to Support a Community in Honduras April 23, 2020By Susan Nedza (EMBA 2000)I recall being assured on entrance to Kellogg that, as a graduate, I would be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead teams even in difficult circumstances. I recently had a chance to test that promise as the president of a U.S.-based non-profit … [Read more...]
Faith Serving Abroad
Faith Serving Abroad Looking from the time I started volunteering in late August in Julticalpa, Honduras until now, it has truly been such an experience. I was originally supposed to come to Honduras a year ago but I decided to defer for a year. I felt that I was not mentally and emotionally ready to serve just yet. I do believe there is a time and place for everything. When I was finally ready to serve for at least four months, the Foundation offered to defer my service again, since … [Read more...]
Gifts Honduras Gave Me
Gifts Honduras Gave Me This is my third trip volunteering in the bilingual schools with Olancho Aid. I come to the schools after a lifetime in US schools as a teacher, administrator, college professor, and literacy coach. While I arrive in Honduras with the intention of teaching school teachers and administrators, I actually learn as much from being here as I give. Volunteering in another country has helped me to think about everything that is comfortable and familiar to me in the US. And … [Read more...]
Welcome, Kerry Lindstrom!
Welcome, Kerry Lindstrom! Please join us in welcoming Kerry to the Olancho Aid Foundation Board of Directors. With her background in education and experience living in Honduras, she will be an asset to the Education Committee.Kerry is a 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Fairview Elementary in Dayton, OH. Previously she taught Kindergarten and English Language Learners K-4th grades at Warner Arts Magnet School in Nashville, TN. At Warner, she led the school … [Read more...]
Thoughts and Reflections of a First Time Volunteer
Thoughts and reflections of a first time volunteer.My journey, like many others before me, started with a calling; in my case it was an urge to go out and experience the world. I wanted to help others, learn about different cultures, and in turn learn more about myself. My hope was to make a difference in the world, however small or insignificant, I just wanted to make an impact.I came across Olancho Aid through an internet search. It was actually kind of amazing how everything clicked … [Read more...]
Celebrating Differences and Encouraging Inclusion
Celebrating Differences and Encouraging InclusionThe end of March and beginning of April were an especially busy time at Nazareth Special Needs School. On top of day-to-day school work, students found time to visit with mission teams, practice and perform a dance on Father's Day, and even to lead the community of Juticalpa in celebrating two very important days: World Down Syndrome Day and World Autism Awareness Day.All over the world, individuals with special needs face troublesome … [Read more...]
Interesting Dynamics of Intercultural Friendships
Interesting Dynamics of Intercultural Friendships One unique aspect of the Olancho Aid Long Term Volunteer Program is that volunteers get to experience living abroad for an extended period of time. I have lived in Honduras for almost six months now, and one of my favorite parts has been having the opportunity to establish and build connections with Hondurans. The friendships that I have made here have been a huge part of what has made this experience so amazing! That being said, when … [Read more...]
We’re looking for volunteers!
We’re looking for volunteers! In additional to the traditional volunteer program, this year Olancho Aid is seeking experienced volunteers who are experts in their field to serve as mentors and administrators at the Foundation. Our most pressing needs are for an early education specialist, a human resource specialist, and a mission team assistant.The early education specialist will provide support to preschool and kindergarten teachers by providing feedback and … [Read more...]