Parade of Volunteers

I can’t recall ever hearing of volunteer programs other than those of missionaries or Doctors w/o Borders until I moved to Honduras. Now I am surrounded by people ranging in age from 20’s to 60’s from all around the globe. Occasionally some stay with us in the downstairs rooms of our house.

This month we have a retired couple from Canada, here to teach English at the local school. This is their second time to visit El Porvenir. I met them when they were here a year ago. They must have enjoyed the experience since they not only returned but they stopped off in Nicaragua for a community project before coming here.

Last month we hosted a young (early 40’s) single woman from Canada who wanted a positive focus for a bit while she sorted out changes going on in her life. Within a 5-year span she had gone through a divorce, lost a brother, been diagnosed and treated for cancer and was currently dealing with aging parents ill-health.

We also got to know a newly married, young couple from Australia around the same time. They were moving to the U.K. and this gave them a chance to have downtime, help others and see a bit of Central America before arriving in London to job hunt and reenter the everyday world.

Sometime this summer we will host a family from Poland. It’s the mom, dad and two primary school aged children (9&11?). They are coming to help at the public school and a local orphanage. What a beautiful bonding experience to share with your children or even grandchildren. I love getting to meet so many wonderful folks and learn about their lives.

Who would have thought that living in a little beach community in Honduras would seem

so similar to standing in the entry hall at the United Nations building.