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...]
Sporadic Reflections
Sporadic Reflections “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 My mother served as a Public Health Nurse and when appropriate I would volunteer at her side. In addition to watching my mother in awe as she serviced her community, I was allowed to witness and experience a world beyond and different from my own. When I commenced my tertiary education, my voluntary service dwindled to nil and did not resurrect until graduation. Upon … [Read more...]
Celebrating Differences and Encouraging Inclusion
Celebrating Differences and Encouraging Inclusion The 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...]
Memories built after a year of volunteering for Olancho Aid Foundation…
Memories built after a year of volunteering for Olancho Aid Foundation... TRAVELING AROUND HONDURAS Roatan was one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. There was nice weather, friendly people, and wonderful beaches. I also enjoyed visiting Copan Ruinas. Learning about Mayan history was something really intriguing and mind opening. NINOS/AS AT MARIA DE LOS ANGELES CHILDREN’S HOME I have enjoyed sharing time with the kids at the Children’s Home. It is a blessing to be able to … [Read more...]
Stepping Outside Your Community to Make a Difference
Stepping Outside Your Community to Make a Difference Have you heard the story of the Dad and his young daughter walking down the beach and it is covered with starfish? The little girl stops to throw one starfish back into the ocean before the hot sun dries it out. The Dad, impatient for his morning walk says, honey you can’t really make a difference for all these starfish. She stops, picks up one more starfish and drops it in the ocean. Smiling at her Dad she says… I made a difference to that … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Thoughts
The Five “F”s On behalf of the Olancho Aid Foundation Board of Directors, please accept our gratitude for all the support you provide to our mission through your prayers, donations and solidarity projects. It is my pleasure to share with you the outcomes of our recent annual retreat and planning session. Our 2019 plan can be summarized into the five “F” s. Faith Formation Through our partnership with the Diocese of Juticalpa, we will continue to expand efforts to increase the spiritual … [Read more...]
Advice from a Team Leader of 25 Years
Advice from a Team Leader of 25 Years In 1993, Mary Roy reluctantly traveled to Olancho, Honduras after being asked by a friend who needed a female chaperone for his mission team. She describes those 10 days as “life-changing” and says she knew right away she would return, but could not have imagined she would lead 26 teams over the next 25 years. What keeps her coming back? On average, Mary’s teams consist of 15-18 people, some return year after year and others are “newbies.” Both the … [Read more...]
Woman on a Mission
At age 17, Hannah made a decision. She was at the end of a 10-day trip as a member of her godmother’s mission team. Full of energy and passion about the experience, Hannah knew that this first visit to Honduras would not be her last. She decided then to lead a team herself so she could share the experience with even more people in her community. It’s hard to say if right then she truly understood what it would take to lead a team. She’d need to inspire a group of people to join her, seek … [Read more...]
Welcome, New Volunteers!
Welcome, Daniel, Emily, and Delton! Olancho Aid welcomes three volunteers who will serve with our team for the next four months. We are all excited for our new team members who will be joining four year-long volunteers who arrived over the summer. Meet the new volunteers! Julio Daniel Da Costa Daniel is from Misiones, Argentina. He earned an International Baccalaureate from United World College Costa Rica in 2013, and graduated from Wartburg College in 2017, earning a … [Read more...]