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 Director Olancho 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...]
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, 2020 By 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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]