Spending two weeks in Honduras was a fun and exciting experience where I learned to appreciate all the resources we have available to us in the United States. The people were very friendly and the staff at the various locations we volunteered were thankful for the help that we provided. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience Honduras culture, living and working conditions first hand.
1. How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
Rafael was attentive and very helpful in providing information about the program and introducing us to the different people in charge at the different facilities.
2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
About the country: How limited the resources and supplies were that the ambulances and the hospitals had to work with.
3. Any tips for future volunteers…
Clothing: Bring a rain jacket/umbrella! Maybe even rain boots! It rains A LOT here! Be prepared for very hot and humid weather. Bring shower shoes and a couple of towels!
Donations: Bring as many donations as you possibly can, most places here work solely on donations whether it be money or supplies. The supplies here are so limited that they will use whatever you can bring. Common medications, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, wound care supplies, IV supplies, sterile gloves, head covers, shoe covers and masks. Money donations are also very helpful so that they can buy the specific supplies that they need.
Weather: The weather was very hot and humid and rained A LOT for January. And when it rains here it absolutely pours and the streets flood with water. The sun is also very hot here and you will get easily sun burned, bring sun screen! Bug spray is also a must because the hot/humid weather attracts a lot of bugs. Scented lotion is also helpful to scare bugs away.
4. Other things volunteers should know:
Bring a water bottle, you will be able to refill it at the different locations using bottled water machines and it will save you money.
5. Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):
Spending two weeks in Honduras was a fun and exciting experience where I learned to appreciate all the resources we have available to us in the United States. The people were very friendly and the staff at the various locations we volunteered were thankful for the help that we provided. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience Honduras culture, living and working conditions first hand.
6. How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security:
Accommodations: We had two bedrooms that were outside of the rest of the house and we were kept separate from the rest of the family. We had one bathroom that we shared with cold running water.
7. What was your favorite memory of this trip?Program: We had the opportunity to take a few patients on a 3-hour ambulance ride to San Pedro Sula which was a fun and exciting experience. The roads have a lot of pot holes so it was a bumpy ride but it was fun caring for our patient for an extended period and learning to utilize less resources while still providing quality care.
Country: We had the opportunity to visit Pico Bonito National Park where we hiked to a beautiful waterfall and swam in the crystal-clear water, this was so cool!
8. How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?
Communication (Phone/emails/Online chat): The support team was very helpful in answering questions in a timely manner via email.
Website Information: The website was a little confusing to navigate at first but after speaking with the support staff it became more clear.
9. Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
I would be willing to speak to other potential volunteers; however, I am leaving for the Army as soon as I return to the U.S. and will be unreachable via phone or email.
10. Can you tell us how did you find or know about A Broader View?
I found A Broader View when searching on google for medical volunteer programs in different countries.