Agency | Love Volunteers
Help out and shadow physicians and nurses in a public hospital, interact directly with the patients and gain a unique experience.
The program
This important project was created with the goal of supplying essential medical treatment to vulnerable residents in La Ceiba. Set in the popular seaside city, famous as the original port city for the ‘Banana Republic’, the Healthcare and Medical Program provides a medical internship in a public hospital, where volunteers can use their skills to help those who need it most. Intern responsibilities vary according to their own qualifications, experience and/or comfort level. Participants with a full medical degree will enjoy far more access when it comes to administering care and interacting with patients, however it is important to note that most interns only observe or help out with minor examination tasks. Every aspect of the internship is carefully monitored by the supervising staff – however the medical care opportunities are greater than interns would experience in Western hospitals. In all cases, volunteers/interns are able to work closely with a supervising physician or nurse who they will shadow on daily rounds. Volunteers on this program can choose to specialize in emergency, maternity, paediatrics and general/family medicine.
Goals of this Project:
- Make a real difference to the people of La Ceiba
- Provide free healthcare to those who need it most
- Improve the health and long term well-being of some of Honduras’ most impoverished people
- Offer a teaching experience for medical students while also supplying a much-needed volunteer labor force
This volunteer program makes a huge difference to the lives of those in need of medical help. As is the case with medical internships, individuals without the proper experience, education and certifications are unable to actively participate in medical procedures they are not suitably trained in. There are however ample opportunities for observing and helping with minor tasks and participating in procedures at the appropriate level of volunteer certification. This program therefore provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for medical students to monitor, observe and help where appropriate, gaining far more experience than many Western hospitals would offer. All volunteers are required to supply their own stethoscope, gloves, scrubs and masks. In order to enable proper interaction with both staff and patients at the hospital, it is essential that volunteers have at least an intermediate level of Spanish - a prerequisite for participation on this program.
A language immersion option is also available and volunteers on this program are able to customize their schedule to combine a half day in the dental clinic and a half day of Spanish instruction.This is a great way for volunteers to improve the health of those who need it and improve their Spanish language skills.
Volunteers contribute in a number of ways on the program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Work in public hospitals to supply medical assistance to those who need it most
- Network with local residents and local project staff
- Supply medical services to the people in La Ceiba and the surrounding areas
- Help with medical care as appropriate to the volunteer’s skills and training
Typical day
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast at the accommodation
7:30am Volunteers are driven to their project site in La Ceiba
8:45am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
2:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
2:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
2:30pm Bus back to the accommodation in El Porvenir
Evenings Volunteers are free to explore the local area, laze on the white sandy beaches or relax with the other volunteers.
Details on Arrival
Free-time activities
Program Requirements
Suitable for
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Orientation & full safety briefing
- Accommodation
- 24/7 local support network
- Project placement & onsite supervision
- Return airport transfer
- registration fee included
There are no direct international flights into La Ceiba. Volunteers usually fly into San Pedro Sula, then catch a connecting local flight or a Hedman Alas bus connection to La Ceiba (exact details and instruction are provided to registered volunteers). Volunteers will be picked up at the Hedman Alas bus station or the La Ceiba airport (Code: LCE). Note that volunteers should try to arrive in-country mid-day so that they can easily travel to La Ceiba by early evening.
After they are collected by the local teams driver, volunteers will be brought directly to the volunteer house to meet the local Project Manager and settle in to their accommodations. The following morning, an orientation is held and the itinerary presented. This includes a walking tour of El Porvenir, and also covers details of the social issues, health issues and educational needs of the community. Your project manager will also address safety and health issues, organizational rules and “do’s and don’ts” of living and working comfortably in Honduras. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SATURDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport, San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Code: SAP)
- (Volunteers must catch a bus from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba, where they are collected on arrival)
Participants are generally accommodated throughout their stay in one of our comfortable Volunteer Houses. Comfortable, clean and secure volunteer houses are located in the seaside town of El Porvenir, just 20 minutes West of La Ceiba. All volunteer houses have filtered drinking water, showers, ‘western-style’ toilet facilities, comfortable beds and WI-FI Internet access, which makes communication easy. Volunteers can enjoy wonderful accommodation in a great town on the Caribbean Sea, learn about local people and their culture.
Volunteers purchase and prepare their own food. Several small markets are located just a few minutes from the houses and volunteers are encouraged to use the full kitchen facilities available to prepare their own meals. Alternatively, volunteers are welcome to enjoy the local Honduran culture and cuisine at one of the inexpensive beachfront restaurants available just a quick walk from the volunteer houses. Note that conversational Spanish tutoring is available in the evenings.
Program Fees
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