Honduras – For Reference (Original Host)

The Need

***Note: Full COVID-19 Vaccination is Required for Participation***

Honduras is a country known for its natural beauty and extreme poverty, with more than 50% of the population destitute. Major risk factors include high unemployment and inadequate public education. Many schools have up to 80 children in a classroom with one teacher. Of all the children entering 1st grade, only 30% are still in school by 6th grade and only 8% continue to the university level. For this trip, your team will travel to remote communities that do not have access to the limited, small hospitals scattered across the country. Health care is almost nonexistent in these rural areas.

The towns where we will care for patients have a high prevalence of diseases transferred by mosquitoes such as malaria, dengue, and recently chikungunya, especially during the months right after the rainy season, which is when we will be there. Due to the lack of clean water and sanitation methods, diseases such as skin rashes/ infections, ear, eyes, nose and throat infections, respiratory infections, influenza, heartworm, and diarrhea are seen daily in adults and children. Oral hygiene is nonexistent and dental care is of critical importance. These are health issues you can significantly impact through excellent patient care and health education. Please join us!

Our Work

International Medical Relief first served Honduras in 2018 and has since served more than 2,000 patients through nearly 50 staff and volunteers. IMR continues to strive for the goal of providing sustainable health care by contributing medical services, medicine, supplies, training and education to the community.

With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.

IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.

In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.

This Mission

One of the most exciting things about this trip is the indigenous communities you will serve in.  You can expect hundreds of patients each day – most families will have five to six children – who get no care due to the remote locations of their communities and their own desire to live simply.  In addition to working with the indigenous communities, we will also work in small remote towns, again making a tremendous difference to the health of the community with dental care, medical care, and education.

We will also work with local Honduran doctors, dentists, nurses, and public health experts on this trip and the learning exchanges will be a true highlight of your time in Honduras.

Lodging/Transportation

The IMR team will be based in two distinct areas:  the indigenous communities approximately 5 hours from the capital, Tegucigalpa, and a small town about 3 hours away. You will fly into Tegucigalpa where you will meet your team at the airport and drive to the indigenous communities that have been waiting for more than a year to welcome you. The rainy season will have ended prior to your visit, and temperatures in the low 80s will make your working conditions perfect! Your hotel lodging will be comfortable, clean, and safe.

Honduran cuisine is a cocktail of multiple ancient cultures like Maya, Lenca, and Garifuna. Besides African and Caribbean influences, Spanish flavors also play an important part in making the local cuisine a favorite around the world. Carne asada, pastelitos de carne (meat pies – yum!), baleadas (traditional flour tortilla with a sumptuous filling of cheese, avocados, beans, and sometimes with scrambled eggs and ground beef), Yojoa fish, corncakes wrapped in banana leaves, arroz con leche, and the famous Honduran Horchata (a simple drink of rice, water, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla and milk added afterward) will make you wishing you never never have to leave.

Want to learn more?  See the itinerary for more details about one of our favorite trips!!

Highlights

The highlight of this trip is certainly the indigenous communities and the townspeople, who can not wait to open their doors and hearts to your IMR team. But of course, there is more! Parque Nacional Sierra de Agalta, owned by the town itself, will be a highlight of your visit. There are eight famous waterfalls that combine for a drop of over 150 feet! Cuevas de Talgua caves – the “cave of the glowing skulls” – is one of the most important sites for cave burials in the Mayan world. A guided tour to see the wonderful formations in this cave will leave you absolutely amazed! And have no fear, there’s the shopping! Wonderful local crafts and markets abound!

In the evenings, will visit restaurants, sing some karaoke, and join the people of Honduras in some family time.  You’ll love this trip!

Extend Your Stay

Since you’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Honduras’ top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!

• Explore the quarters of the royal family at Las Sepulturas in the famous Coban ruins
• Discover the Pulhapanzak Waterfall and zip-line through the rainforest canopy

Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!