Global Village Information Guide - Honduras
Welcome from trip leader Anna Beningo
Welcome to our trip to Honduras! You are just going to love it! Let me begin to give you a ton of info (most of it important). You will notice I say "at this time" a lot. That's because anything I tell you about where we are building, where we are staying, etc. can change at the last minute. And it probably will.
Houses
The houses that we will be building are made of concrete block and galvanized tin roofs. They average about 800 square feet with 2 bedrooms, living room/kitchen and a comfort room. There are 3 different house plans. There is a mason assigned to each house.
Normally we will be starting 3-4 houses while we are there and hopefully will block to the roof. It will take a lot of teamwork and determination to accomplish this. I know you will be up for the task. We used to put on the roofs but Habitat Honduras has switched how they do the roofs now - metal rafters that need to be welded and corrugated tin.
There will be between 3-5 team members that speak Spanish - some fluent, some not so fluent, but we'll get through it all. There normally isn't anyone on site that speaks English fluently.
Medical Info
With regard to shots, you need to have Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Booster and Malaria. Honduras is a high risk malaria country. Malaria is present throughout the country including urban areas. Follow a Chloroquine regimen in weekly doses. When you see the doctor for these shots and prescriptions, ask for a prescription of Cipro. It is an antibiotic for diarrhea and you may need it. Also bring with your Pepto-Bismal and Immodium AD.
Because mosquitoes and ticks are present at all times, you should spray your clothes with Permethrin - it is a tick repellent for your clothes - you can find it in the camping supplies. I also recommend that you buy bug repellent with at least 30% deet. You might also bring a can of RAID with you in case you run into some cockroaches. I will bring the rest of the first aid kit.
Please carry your prescription medicines in their original container in your carry on luggage and don't take over $100 in cash with you.
What to Drink/Eat
With regard to water - All local water should be considered contaminated. You will not drink the tap water in Honduras unless you are in the InterContinental Hotel in San Pedro Sula! Bottled water will be supplied to you at the work camp, on site and in your rooms.
With regard to milk - Another thing you probably don't want to eat in Honduras. With regard to food - All meat, poultry and seafood must be well cooked and served while hot. Vegetables should be well cooked and served hot. Fruits with intact skins should be peeled by you just before consumption. Do not use a knife given to you by a local Honduran.
If you have any questions on what is safe to eat or drink, please ask! I don't want you to get sick.
Build Info
The build begins on Monday, If we are building in the Santa Cruz de Yojoa affiliate, it will take us a an hour or so to get there from the airport. We should end our build on Friday, have the dedication on Saturday morning, return to the work camp for a celebration service and lunch, then return to San Pedro Sula after lunch for a visit to the souvenir market and evening of relaxation and enjoyment.
Normally breakfast will probably be around 7AM, 8:30AM work, 12:00PM lunch, 4:30PM leave, 7PM dinner. We will take water to the site each day. The weather is pleasant, hot and humid.
What to Bring - Tools, Clothing
Now let's talk about what to pack. You will be asked to bring some basic tools with you. Those items will be told to you as the trip plans progress.
Shorts and t-shirts are the clothes of choice at the work site. You may want to wear work boots on the site otherwise some very steady tennis shoes. You'll also want to bring some "good" shorts and shirts to change into after a nice hot shower, ok, maybe it won't be hot, but it will feel good! You will also want to pack:
- work gloves
- fanny pack
- work boots/sturdy tennis shoes
- wash cloths
- backpack
- travel alarm
- sunblock
- water bottle
- bandanas
- journal and pens
- snacks
- paperback books to read
- film and camera
- flip flop sandals for the shower
- toilet paper
- Spanish phrase book
- flashlight
- extra batteries
- soap
- bug spray with at least 30% Deet
- hair dryer
- tissues in travel pack
- hat
Leave your jewelry at home.