Leadership University
Creating a more equatable and just society by training the next generation of leaders.
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Introduction: Most charities, from micro loan organizations and church groups to larger organizations such as the Peace Corps, focus on helping individual families. The same can be said for Art For Humanity. But today, Art For Humanity is embarking on an exciting and totally new path toward building a better future for the poor of Honduras.
If working with individual impoverished families could be called a “grass roots” approach to alleviate poverty, then the opposite might be called a “top down” approach. We are now combining the two approaches.
Art For Humanity has used the “grass roots” approach successfully since 2001 assisting countless families escape poverty. But we have come to the conclusion that the poor are going to be helped in long- term systemic ways by Honduran efforts much more than by “gringo” efforts. If Honduras is going to move away from being the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, it will require Hondurans leading the way. The Leadership University plans to work with the grassroots poor but in ways that enables them to make the top down changes that will create a better future for their country.
The need for Hondurans leadership is the genesis of The Leadership University of Honduras. It will be the first English-speaking college in Honduras. The goal for this new college will be to train the next generation of business and political leaders equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to help guide their country out of the severe poverty from which it now suffers.
Students will be accepted from poor families and attend without cost. In the beginning, most of the faculty will be volunteers from the United States. Later, graduates will assume more of the teaching and management roles. Many Hondurans are currently involved in this mission in formative, supportive and organizational ways. The curriculum will include courses in Honduran history, law, and politics taught by Hondurans. Eventually, Hondurans will assume total control of the school. Classes will begin in Feb. 2011.
Mission: To prepare Hondurans to lead their nation out of poverty.
Background: Over fifty years ago, the Peace Corps began their work in Honduras, making an important first step in recognizing and ameliorating the living conditions and endemic poverty suffered by most of the population. The Peace Corps has accomplished much and are to be commended and supported. We have enjoyed working with them on various projects. Yet much remains to be done. Despite half a century of hard work, Honduras continues to hold the unfortunate title of the second poorest country in the western hemisphere.
One of the main reasons for the persistent poverty is a tragically inadequate educational system. It is said that Honduras trails its Central American neighbors in education by 35 to 50 years. For that reason, many of the current political leaders lack sufficient education and leadership ability. In many respects, it is the “blind leading the blind.”
An educated populace is the best hope for permanently lifting Honduras out of an endless cycle of living in poverty without hope of a different future. It cannot be overstated that a critical component of self-sufficiency and an increased standard of living is the ability of a country to produce strong, competent and ethical leadership.
While outside aid in many forms can help individual families or serve as a temporary fix, nothing will replace a large pool of capable Hondurans ready to assume leadership roles. Politicians who hold themselves to a higher ethical standard will govern well and step down peacefully; they will not loot the treasury or harm the opposition.
Graduates of the Leadership University will be educated leaders ready to be employed at all levels of government. High ethical standards and hard work will earn these new leaders the respect of their own people. Rather than be burdened by poverty, Honduras can slowly emerge as a modern country known for a strong and diverse economy, promoting peace, education, and health care. Well educated ethical leaders can and will make this possible.
The Plan: The first step is to build, staff and support the Leadership University (LU) as the first English speaking college in Honduras using curriculum development and Honduran teachers whenever possible as an example of educated Honduran leadership. The students will come from poor families and attend tuition-free. Most of the faculty will be volunteers from the United States. The vision of the University is to break the cycle of poverty by training and educating tomorrow’s leaders, by equipping them with the necessary tools to develop and staff good jobs, provide ethical political leadership, engage in sustainable agriculture, better health and sanitation standards that will support a future with an improved standard of living.
We are reaching out to the poor because without outside assistance, their chance of a college education is almost non-existent; they will be left behind with only a very small chance to improve their own future. The future of Honduras lies with the poor who are the majority of the population. They know the plight of the impoverished because they are living it without hope in the political process. Because of that, they have the motivation to bring about the systemic changes needed to eliminate the causes of poverty in Honduras. They will be the new well educated ethical leaders who can bring about the needed changes.
Students from LU will begin making a difference in their country long before they graduate. While studying, they will be taking what they have learn to other Hondurans to the villages they came from as well as elsewhere. Honduran groups are already forming to arrange teaching centers where students can share their knowledge. So, while they are students, they will also be teachers, consultants and mentors to their fellow countrymen. This will not only multiply and amplify the mission of LU, it will also give these students practical leadership experience. Our hope is that Peace Corps volunteers from all over Honduras will invite LU students to their villages to share ideas, insights, etc. with the locals involved in business development projects fostered by the Peace Corps.
Although the primary focus now is to launch the Leadership University, we also want to build a teachers’ college to bring an education to every Honduran who wants one. We also want to build a nurses’ college to fill the severe shortage of professional medical personnel.
The success of these plans is dependent on volunteers and financial support. Please consider volunteering and making a financial donation. Support can be made by check or credit card. Please send checks to Art For Humanity: 635 25th St. South, Arlington, VA 22202 or to use a credit card click here. Art For Humanity is an IRS recognized 501c(3) charity and thus donations are eligible as charitable contributions.
A General Description: The Leadership University will be a five year residential college offering a degree in Business Administration.
The LU will be modeled after Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, where students unable to pay, attend tuition-free. Students work in college-owned cottage industries to pay for their room and board. The LU will function in a similar way.
Once established, the LU expects to be totally self-supporting and thus non-dependant on outside funding. However, it will remain dependent on outside teachers and other volunteers until enough students graduate and have sufficient experience to return as volunteer teachers for a week each year. In addition, graduates will serve on the Board of Directors, the governing body of the LU.
The class schedule will be similar to that of “Inter-term” on many U.S. campuses. In the U.S. during the three week inter-term (between fall and spring semesters) a student can take one class. That one class is the entire focus for that three week period.
While U.S. universities have only one inter-term per year, the LU would only have”inter-terms”. That is, most classes would be completed in approximately three weeks.
By limiting a class to three weeks, volunteer teachers/professors need only be on campus for three weeks or less. In some cases, three teachers/professors will team-teach the course. All students will be in the same class. So in the beginning, only a few teachers will be needed at a time to teach the entire college.
Students will study for four and a half years. The first six months will be intensive English classes to get the students up-to-speed so that when the first semester begins, the classes can be taught in English. After they finish four and a half years of classroom study, students will be given the opportunity to serve as interns for one to three months in the United States. After their internships, they would gather back on campus for about a month to form and shape their plans for the future. In all, they will spend about five years in our program. Graduates would be invited back to the campus for a week twice a year to continue to evaluate and refine their career path.
During the inception of the LU, financial donations as well as other things such as clothing, toiletries and class supplies will be needed. However, once established, the college expects to be entirely funded by the organic coffee farm on which it is located. Farm income should begin in about five years and in about nine years the farm should be in full production. The first coffee trees were planted in 2009. More will be planted each year for the next four years.
Regarding politics: Like the U.S., Honduras has two major political parties and a few small parties. The two major parties are Liberal and National. We have no interest or desire to influence which parties are elected. Our goal is to train and educate future leaders so they can effectively lead their country regardless of the party they support. It is our hope that the student body will be made up of both major parties proportionately and perhaps some of the smaller parties as well.
In addition to educating future leaders, we plan to invite current elected leaders to various weekend seminars. Our vision is to initiate a “Top Down” approach, educating both the current and future leaders who will positively affect the future of this poverty-stricken country. Well educated ethical leaders can improve the future of Honduras. In fact, they are the only ones who can.
Volunteer Opportunities: Beginning in Feb. of 2011, many English speaking volunteers will be needed for both short and long term positions. Volunteering in Latin America can be a rewarding experience. Volunteering in Honduras at this new college would be especially rewarding, knowing that you are not only making a difference in individuals’ lives but also making an contribution to improve a nation.
A Director of Administration will be needed to oversee the small campus of fifty to eighty students. This person needs organizational and administrative skills. Also needed is a Director of Teaching who will coordinate the teaching activities and serve as a substitute teacher as needed. Persons available to teach long term are much needed. We also want to have two more long term volunteers teachers. Much of the teaching will be at a U.S. high school level. All of these positions need people willing to volunteer for at least six months, preferably longer. Recent graduates as well as retired professionals or people on sabbatical or between career changes, etc. would be welcome to serve in these capacities.
In addition to the above long-term volunteers, short term volunteer teachers and tutors are needed. The tutors, among other things, will facilitate small group learning sessions. While these teams are only asked to serve for a week, those able to serve longer would be most welcomed and appreciated. Professors, teachers, lecturers, etc. are welcome to select and bring their own tutoring team with them.
While volunteers are welcomed to serve longer, most will serve from a week to three weeks. The exception would be the Director of Administration, the Director of Teaching and long term teachers who will be asked to serve for a minimum of six months. With the year round spring-like climate, time passes quickly.
Farm workers are also needed. Perhaps when a couple or a group comes, part of the group teaches while the others work on the farm. Teachers are also welcomed to work on the farm.
Financial Needs: Much of the funds for building the college comes from the poor we have helped to begin small business. They want to give back and they give generously of their time and resources. However, the college needs additional financial support. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Support can be made by check or credit card. To support this vision, please send checks to Art For Humanity: 635 25th St. South, Arlington, VA 22202 or to use a credit card click here. Art For Humanity is an IRS recognized 501c(3) charity and thus donations are eligible as charitable contributions.
Curriculum: The core curriculum is currently being developed and your input is welcomed. To prepare the students for business leadership and a well rounded education, we are including classes in economics, world history, marketing, business law, science, math, geography, accounting, psychology, political science, human resource management, leadership, computer skills, statistics, business management, etc. In addition, we want to offer 30 to 50 short-term lectures series on topics important to the development of future leaders. Topics would cover a wide range of topics from developing emotional maturity to negotiating skills as well as broader issues involving third world development. Many of these short term seminars would be well suited to teachers able to come for only a weekend or even for a day. If you have expertise in such areas or know of others who do, please contact us.
Because high school graduates in Honduras, even those at the top of their class, will be on a level similar to a typical 6th grade student in the U.S., in the first year of study, we will need junior high and high school teachers for remedial work and to improve English skills. We will constantly need elementary and junior high English teachers, with emphasis on grammar and critical thinking.
Teaching style: Education in Honduras is based on rote memorization. Because of this, students are weak on analytical thinking and problem solving. To facilitate the development of those skills, tutors and discussion leaders will be needed. The ideal scenario would be dividing the class into two segments: roughly 30-minute teaching, followed by small group discussions.
Teachers and tutors are encouraged to spend time tutoring and mentoring students in class and to use the opportunity of informal times in the dining room, dormitory, hiking, biking, working on the farm, etc. If students are immersed in English they will learn more quickly. And if students are involved in learning in various situations during the day, they will be better equipped to lead.
Student Requirements for Acceptance: To be accepted into LU, students would normally (1) Live in a rural area (2) Come from a poor family (3) Have graduated near the top of their high school class (4) Be recommended by their teachers (5) If a Peace Corps volunteer is serving their village, have the recommendation of that PCV.
Location: The campus is about two hours outside of Tegucigalpa, the capitol of Honduras. Because the site is extremely rural and high in the mountains, it has two intrinsic benefits. One, unlike much of Honduras, the area is very safe. Secondly, it has very pleasant weather. The night temperatures range between 50 and 65 degrees while the day temperatures range between 65 and 85 degrees. The safe enviroment and the pleasant weather make it a very nice place for volunteers to come if they are the type who can enjoy the wilderness atmosphere. For those wanting urban or even suburban life, this is not the place this to come. It is a beautiful wilderness place with a scenic river, waterfalls, and mountain slopes on which to hike, bike, think, write, create and of course grow organic coffee.
Summary: If Honduras is going to make the substantial changes needed to move out of the desperate poverty it now experiences, it will require the active participation of Honduran citizens. Only educated ethical leaders can bring about the systemic changes needed to change the future in positive ways. Within ten years, the Leadership University will equip a generation of Hondurans capable of facilitating change making education and ethical political leadership a priority in Honduras. Well educated ethical leaders can make this possible.
For these important things to happen, your help as a volunteer and financial supporter is needed. To help achieve our goals, would you consider joining with others to donate one dollar a day?
FAQs:
Can this small college really make a difference? When reviewing history, one sees that most often it has been small groups of committed and thoughtful individuals who have changed the world. We believe that is true today in Honduras. You are invited to be part of that movement.
Can I really volunteer and be useful at the college or organic farm without speaking Spanish? Absolutely. On campus, English is the official language. If the students are to become fluent in English, they will need to be immersed in English. Therefore, many English speaking volunteers are needed on campus twelve months a year. We hope volunteers will always speak English.
Which season of the year are volunteers most needed? Volunteers are needed twelve months a year. During the summer when U.S. schools are out, is the time when volunteers are most plentiful. So, if you could come in other months, that would be appreciated. There will be no classes during Christmas week or Easter week but there will be plenty to do on the organic farm especially during Christmas week. Christmas is the middle of coffee harvest and all extra hands are welcomed.
What about airline service? The nearest airport is in the city of Tegucigalpa. Several U.S. airlines provide service, as well as Taca – the airline of El Salvador. We have used all of them without complaint. Christmas and Easter seasons are the highest priced times to fly. Tickets normally range between $400 and $800. Service is also available from San Pedro Sula and prices are often lower. But the alternative airport necessitates a five hour drive rather than two. However, if you will be volunteering with us in Honduras and then wish to spend time near the Caribbean or the Mayan ruins, you may want to fly into San Pedro Sula. In this case you would need to arrange transportation from San Pedro which is easy to do and the price is low. No matter if you fly into Tegucigalpa or San Pedro, we will provide you with directions to get to the college using public transportation.
What about a Visa? As you enter Honduras, you automatically receive a Visa. The length of of time the visa is valid depends on the purpose of the visit. For business travelers, it is 30 days. For tourist, it is 90 days. As you near the expiration of your visa, a 30 day extension is available. Once the visa expires, one needs to leave Honduras for 72 hours. Upon returning, you are issued an new visa. We expect our long term volunteers will enjoy the opportunity to visit other nearby countries. Bus travel and hotels are low cost. El Salvador, Nicaragua are only a few hours away. Guatemala is an 8 hour bus trip. From Tegucigalpa, buses go directly to those destinations for about $5 to $25.
What will the teaching schedule be like for the long term volunteers? We are of a flexible nature and the circumstances require flexibility. Because visas expire each 3 to 4 months, long term volunteers will need to leave the country for at least 72 hours. We assume, some will want to visit other countries for weeks or months before returning to teach again. Some teachers may want to teach for 3 or 4 days a week and then travel to see Honduras 3 or 4 days a week. In other words, we expect teachers to be coming and going. As best we can, we will accommodate those kinds of desires and necessities. This will require a spirit of flexibility on the part of both the permanent staff and the volunteers. So, if you are considering volunteering long term, only do so if you have a flexible attitude. At the bottom of this page is addition information specifically for Long Term volunteers.
How many hours a day would teachers be teaching? That somewhat depends how many teachers are on site on any given day. But, we expect that typically a teacher would be teaching about 4 hours a day so as to have sufficient time for class prep and personal interests.
Because our students will be beginning their college education far behind their U.S. counterparts, we want learning to take place all day from early morning till bedtime. Much of that learning time will not be in the classroom but could be in group conversations or on hikes or while helping on the farm. Some of it will take place on bus trips. Most poor rural Hondurans have never seen their country. If they are to be future leaders, they need to know their country… as well as their neighboring countries. So, we’d like to have classes built around travel within Honduras and its neighbors. Those will be traveling classes. Another example: each evening, we’d like to show a movie. Using movies is a good way for the students to improve their English as well as to learn critical thinking skills, ect. as they discuss and analyze the movie while sharing tea, etc. before going to bed. There are many creative ways to teach; teachers are invited to use many of them.
So, although learning activities hopefully will take place from morning to night, hopefully there will be sufficient teachers so that they can work maybe 4 hours daily but, there may be times with the schedule is more demanding.
Are rental cars available? If you want to spend time driving around Honduras, rental cars are available at the airport. The best rates are available by making reservations online in advance. Because of the bad roads, we recommend you rent either a SUV or pickup.
Is public transportation available? Honduras has an excellent bus system. Buses go to most every location in Honduras and the rates are very low. There are two classes of bus service. One is the local yellow school bus that you will see everywhere in Honduras, often with cargo and chickens on top. The other is the executive or direct bus service. These direct buses are the quickest way to go from major town to major town. They are normally clean, safe, comfortable, quick and low priced. They are the “Greyhound” style of bus.
Who is involved in this mission project? There are many Hondurans involved in this project. It is Hondurans who have helped in various ways that have made this project possible. Many are poor; some were the poor we have helped and in return they are giving back; some are well educated middle class who are concerned about their country and its citizens. LU is truly a joint venture of Hondurans and others. You are invited to be a part of that partnership. We hope you will.
What are the living conditions like on campus? The location is very remote and very rustic, to say the least. Wilderness could describe the area. Dormitory rooms are small, have concrete floors, tin roofs, and single beds. Showers and toilets are clean but not always in the same building. Showers may not always have hot water. Electricity is supplied by solar panels and thus in limited supply. The food is simple but nutritious – beans, rice, soup, pasta, eggs, tortillas, seasonal fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea, bottled water, occasionally fish or chicken. You are also welcome to bring some of your favorite snacks.
The Teacher’s Lodge has a large indoor restroom with shower and four private rooms with double beds. Couples volunteering long term have priority preference for the Teacher’s Lodge.
What are the seasons? The temperatures are always springtime. It is never very hot nor very cold. There are two seasons, rainy and dry. Generally, the dry season runs from January to May. The driest months, and thus the starriest skies, are January, February, March and April, a great time to plan for some camping under the beautiful stars. The rainiest months are May through October. Unless there is a tropical storm in the Caribbean, the rain is normally intermittent with sun and clouds exchanging places during the day. Seldom does it rain all day. Much of the rain is at night. The coolest months are November through January when the nights are about 50 to 55 and the days are 65 to 75. Easter week is a big event with people coming from all around to swim in the clear mountain river running by the campus. Charts showing weather patterns.
Should I get shots before coming? That is a topic to discuss with your doctor. Our general observation is that few short term visitors to Honduras get shots before coming but, many long term visitors do.
Are there many insects? Normally there are few, if any, mosquitoes. Sometimes during the dry season there are “no-see-ems” in the woods early in the morning but generally not a problem during most of the day. The climate is cool enough that long sleeves and pants can be worn comfortably helping to combat the few insects. .
Are there snakes? The campus is in a remote rural area with many types of wildlife but it is rare to see a snake. Most of the locals report rarely, if ever, seeing a snake even though they work out doors every day.
How far will I be from civilization? Tegucigalpa and Comayagua are both about two hours drive from the LU campus. Tegucigalpa, the capital, has the U.S. Embassy and two hospitals. Comayagua has a U.S. military base and a hospital built and sometimes staffed by U.S. volunteer medical personnel.
What should I bring? Pack very lightly. One back pack is all that most volunteers bring. In fact many young people spend months traveling all over Latin America and Europe carrying all they need in one backpack and, that is our recommendation as well.
Because of the remote area and very limited electricity, you will not need any electric appliances — no dryer, or iron. Plan for an experience in simplicity. It can be very refreshing to be away from all electronic distractions. Feel free to bring a camera.
This is a typical clothing list for most volunteers coming for a week or more. The same clothing you wear on the plane to Honduras can be worn on the return trip. In addition, two lightweight pants, two long sleeve and one or two short sleeve shirts, four sets of underwear and socks. If you need clothing washed, there are facilities for hand washing. Wear your hiking boots on the plane because they are too bulky to pack and also bring a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of flip flops. If you are coming during the coldest months bring a jacket, hat and warmer clothing. If you are coming during the hottest months, consider some shorts and tee shirts. When you leave campus to return home, we would very much appreciate any shoes and clothing you choose to leave behind for us to give to those in need.
Keep your toiletries and wardrobe very simple. This is not a place of fashion. This is not a vacation where you need two suitcases of clothing for various occasions. Pack as simply as you would if you were taking a week-long hiking trip.
If you want to bring some insect repellant, the “wipes” type are easier to bring in your carry-on baggage. It would be good to bring some gardening type of gloves. If you come during the rainy season, a rain jacket would be useful.
Are meals and housing provided for volunteers?
Yes. All volunteers will be invited to eat and sleep on campus as our guest. Once returning home, those who are able to make a financial donation to help cover those expenses are encouraged to do so.
How can I be contacted in an emergency? Before you leave home, we will give you a phone number for your family to call in an emergency.
What about liability? Art For Humanity requires all volunteers to sign a Waiver of Liability form prior to volunteering in Honduras.
Are there people who should not come? People who would be uncomfortable in a wilderness enviroment should not come. Only people in good health should come. If your health is such that medical attention will possibly be needed, you should not come. We need many different types of volunteers. If your health is questionable, we would prefer for you to volunteer with us in other ways at or near your home. While there are hospitals within two hours drive of the campus, they are not equivalent to U.S. hospitals and staff most likely will not speak English and medicine may not be available.
Are those from outside the U.S.A. permitted to volunteer? Anyone who speaks English clearly, has a gift for teaching and is interested in serving others is welcomed without regard to nationality. I do not know of any countries whose citizens are prevented from entering. But, that is something individuals need to explore with the Honduran Embassy in your country.
Could I volunteer on the farm and not teach?
Sure. An extra pair of hands on the farm are always welcomed.
What will I experience while being on campus? You will experience life as it is lived by many Hondurans. While the campus is rustic by U.S. standards, it is somewhat luxurious by the standards of many of our students. The food and housing are better than much of the population of Honduras have. Because the campus is very rural with no public electricity, you will experience quiet evenings away from city noise. The nights are filled with the sounds of nature. Stars are abundant. People typically go to bed by 8 or 9 and get up with the sun around 5:30A.M. Your schedule depends on what you have volunteered to do, but normally you will be with students in a learning environment both indoors and outdoors. You will have the opportunity to do some hiking in the beautiful mountainous area. There is a large waterfall requiring a hike of only about an hour. In this region, the air is fresh with no source of industrial pollution or cars anywhere nearby.
Do I need to be physically fit to visit the campus? It is certainly helpful and recommended but, it is not absolutely essential. In addition to volunteering at the college, if you plan on working on the organic farm or hiking in the mountains, that will require good health and fitness.
Is visiting Honduras dangerous? Like most of Latin America, Honduras has abundant crime. The U.S. State Dept. rates Honduras as a dangerous place to visit. However, because of the extreme remoteness of the LU campus, our area is very safe. Unlike much of Honduras, the entire region around the campus is very peaceful. The college is located within a large national forest and one of the responsibilities of the Honduran military is to guard the forest. There is only one small dirt road leading in and out of the entire vast region. Both the military and the national police often have check points on that road as well as daily patrols into the mountains to thwart illegal harvesting of the forest. The forest is one of the largest income sources to the government so they guard it carefully. With the military patrolling the area, it is not a place where criminals want to come, nor is there anything to attract criminal interests.
In our opinion, petty street crime and thievery is much more prevalent in Honduras than in the U.S., but violent crime is similar in Honduras to that of many urban areas of the U.S. The victims of violent crime in Honduras are similar to those in the U.S. with drug involvement accounting for most of the violent crimes. Stay away from drugs and drug related people and you will avoid the largest source of violence.
What will be my total expenses? There is only one major cost for you to incur and that is your plane ticket to and from Tegucigalpa which normally ranges between $400 and $800 roundtrip. You will buy that ticket. We do not make any arrangements regarding ticket purchase. We will provide your room and meals on campus. In turn we ask you to consider making a financial donation to this project to defray those costs if possible. The amount of your donation is your choice. Your donation makes the project possible.
Obviously, the expenses mentioned above only include your volunteer work at the college. It does not include any side excursions or travel you decide to do apart from your volunteering on campus. For example, if you want to rent a car or travel by bus and visit other parts of Honduras, those expenses are entirely your responsibility.
How do I prepare for personal expenses? If you are planning to tour Honduras with a portion of your time, you will need to prepare for those expenses. You will be able to use your credit card for car rental, in some gas stations in the cities, and in U.S.-owned hotels, which are only in the large cities. Everywhere else, you will need cash.
Some places will accept U.S. dollars, but not everywhere. Change will only be available in the local currency which is the Lemperia. There are ATM machines in the airports, at some banks and tourist centers. The ATMs dispense Lemperias. They normally only accept bank checking cards not credit cards.
Traveler’s checks are generally not recognized and only a few banks will exchange them for you. The application to exchange them is somewhat similar to making a mortgage application in the U.S.
We recommend bringing a credit card and a “cash” card for the ATM machine and some cash.
Will there be any opportunity to learn Spanish?
There will much opportunity to learn Spanish as well as to practice and improve your Spanish. On campus there will be Spanish classes so students will know their language as well as possible. Volunteers are welcome to participate in those classes. In addition, none of our workers or neighbors speak English. So, there will be abundant opportunity to learn and practice Spanish. In addition, volunteers can ask any of the students to help them learn Spanish as the volunteers are helping the students learn English. Anytime you leave campus, you will in a Spanish only world with abundant opportunity to learn and practice Spanish. And, we have agreed to accept a non-Spanish speaking Peace Corps volunteer. A part of that agreement is to help them learn Spanish. As you can see, opportunitities to learn and practice Spanish are abundant.
What surprises should I expect?
Schedules and everything else are flexible, to say the least. In this culture being on time is not critical. Be prepared to “go with the flow”. In Honduras, you will be much happier if you do not expect perfection. The pace is very different than in the States. You will first notice this as you observe the driving habits of Hondurans. For example, they will routinely park in the middle of a busy street to have conversation with a friend who is walking or driving by, oblivious to the obstruction they create.
Don’t believe everything you are told. For Hondurans, there is a strong desire to please. Answering your question is a sign of hospitality. For Hondurans, it is far more important to answer your question than it is to provide accurate information. When you ask a question keep in mind that, “I do not know” or “I am not sure,” are not normally a part of the Honduran vocabulary. Therefore, you will always receive an answer but the accuracy is often questionable.
You will see many armed people. There are many police and military check points where personnel are heavily armed. In addition, you will normally see two armed guards at most gas stations and businesses as well as on delivery trucks. Banks normally have six.
Respect is recognized worldwide. Show respect to everyone and it will be returned multiplied.
Where can I get more information?
For more details about the info on this page, email: Glen Evans
For more info for Long Term Volunteers, click here.
For more details about the curriculum and that kind of information, we have another web site dedicated to the college. To go to that site, click here.