Honduras Mini Mission

The Need

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 cared for 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.  The ancient inhabitants of the area were the Lencas and they called the site “de las Piedras” (of the Stones in English), due to the land’s topography. This is revealed by the information stored in the ecclesiastical census of Fernando Cadiñanos in 1971, registered under the name of “Valles de las Piedras” (Valley of the Stones in English), in the district of the parish of Ajuterique.

Its archaeological remains, the natural wealth, and the kindness of its people make this a perfect destination to visit and enjoy its charms. It is also known for the excellent coffee that is produced throughout the region and the exquisite gastronomic variety that it offers.

The archeology in the area dates back more than 2,000 years BC. Caves have been discovered that house samples of rock art and vestiges of disappeared civilizations.

In addition to working with the indigenous communities, we will work to make a tremendous difference in the health of the community through 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

On this Medical Mission Trip, you and your fellow team members will be staying at an accommodation with safe, clean, comfortable rooms. Transportation will be provided to and from clinic each day.

This region is known for producing some of the world’s best coffee. High up in the mountains is a beautiful lodge where the team will stay. It was built by the coffee plantation owners in the middle of the beautiful coffee plantations.  If you are a coffee drinker, this trip will surely tempt you. Located in the community of El Pastal at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level, you will be close to nature for hiking or fishing.

These farmers have a vision to contribute to the community. They practice organic agriculture, the implementation of an innovative educational methodology, to ensure a promising future for future generations and to continue to be recognized as a leader for its quality of coffee.

In addition to the amazing coffee, the Honduran cuisine you will be treated to is all organic and healthy.  Traditionally, the ancient cultures like Maya, Lenca, and Garifuna blend with African and Caribbean influences and Spanish flavors, which all 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 wish you never, never have to leave.

Highlights

The highlight of this trip is certainly the indigenous communities and the townspeople who cannot wait to open their doors and hearts to your IMR team. But of course, there is more. Get ready for waterfalls, caves, and ziplining!

El Chiflador Waterfalls
Enjoy a very special hike high up in the mountains to the famous El Chiflador Waterfalls.   This stunning place is more than just a waterfall. Wander through forest paths past stunning aqua waters that you can swim in. The majestic waterfall is located in the village of La Estanzuela, in the municipality of Marcala, surrounded by a great vegetation of pines, oaks, and wild plants that make the landscape splendid. This waterfall is so enchanting that it offers special moments, becoming the perfect place for a refreshing visit and souvenir photos.

Giant’s Cave
Located a few meters from the La Estanzuela Waterfall, this archaeological site is one of the most amazing and important in the country. It is considered by archaeologists as the place where the first settlers of Honduras, and perhaps all of Central America, lived. It measures about 30 meters high from the surface of the mouth to the highest roof, 25 wide and eight deep.

Extreme Canopy Ziplining
Optional opportunity: If you’re up for the adventure, you can participate in canopy adventure ziplining!  Extreme Canopy El Chiflador is an activity for adventure lovers where you can enjoy nature and have fun at the same time. It is called Extreme Canopy because it is the highest in Central America and Honduras. Adventure lovers will find the Extreme Canopy El Chiflador in the La Mogola village, located about 5 kilometers from the central park. The zipline has six cables that will carry you over imposing pine trees and through a majestic waterfall 80 meters high. It was declared one of the most extreme zip lines in Honduras and Central America.

Costs affiliated with any attractions outside park entrance are at the volunteer’s expense.

You will love this trip – it’s one of our favorites! See the itinerary for more details.

Extend Your Stay

You’re journeying across the globe. Why not extend your stay in Central America to experience some of its top tourist attractions? Join us on an exclusive trip extension to Nicaragua or Costa Rica provided by our partner Worldwide Navigators and some visit of the area’s highlights.

Worldwide Navigators offers three opportunities to extend your time in Central America to create an amazing vacation following your humanitarian work. Contact Worldwide Navigators to book one of these extensions or get more information.

• Visit the Corn Islands, a lush, rustic, unsettled paradise with beautiful beaches.
• Explore La Fortuna, undoubtedly one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful destinations, teeming with colorful gardens and views of the mammoth Arenal Volcano.
• Experience the unique town of Puerto Viejo, situated on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

See the Extensions tab on this page for details on these amazing experiences!

Itinerary at a Glance