Honduras: “In-Country” Instructions

What to Expect
A positive & flexible attitude and sense of adventure are the first requirements for a meaningful mission
experience. If you are on your first trip to a developing nation you must keep in mind that things do not
always work as we are accustomed to, nor as we expect them to. The infrastructure in Honduras remains
several years behind that of the USA and plans often change. Should inconveniences occur, understanding
is always greatly appreciated. Consider yourself ambassadors and Please be prepared to go with the flow.

Travel Documents
A valid passport is required of all volunteers. Failure to carry proper proof of citizenship will lead to denial
of entry to aircraft or a foreign country. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the Honduras Embassy for any
visas that may be required.

U.S. Customs Regulations

Upon returning, each United States resident who has been out of the U.S. for at least 48 hours is allowed a
duty free exemption up to $400. This allowance may include one U.S. quart (32 oz.) of liquor per adult. In
addition to the exemption, gifts may be mailed home to a friend or relative limited to $25.00 per day and
not to include more than one ounce of perfume. Products made from endangered animals such as alligator
shoes, items made from whalebone, tortoise shell and some furs, cannot be brought into the United States.

***Do not forget your passport! Please make two copies of the photo page of your passport, leaving one
at home, and keeping one on you.

Please note the following new international security precautions travelers have experienced at the different
airports in the US recently:
Only ticketed passengers can go through security.
No curbside check-ins.
No cigarette lighters (including Zippos) or blades of any kind will be allowed in the cabin…this includes
razors, files, and nail clippers.
No steel toed boots.
Random ID checks are possible in the secured areas

Luggage
Baggage allowance of US for international travelers is limited to two (2) pieces of checked luggage and one
(1) carry-on. The checked pieces may have a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) each and a maximum
linear dimension of 62” (with 62” being the total of the length, width and depth of the bag). The carry-on
piece cannot exceed 40 pounds and must be no larger than 9” x 14” x 22”.
If you bring medicines in your luggage for donations or medical brigades, please make sure they are not
expired, otherwise they will get confiscated by the Honduran customs agents.

IMPORTANT NOTE Please carry the following essentials in your carry-on luggage: mosquito repellent
(with DEET), eyeglasses, medicine, camera, and passport. Any film left in your checked luggage will be
destroyed by the powerful x-ray machines now in use in most airports

Staying Healthy
No vaccinations are currently required for entry to Honduras. However, we strongly suggest that you
consult your physician for advice on any recommended vaccines or special precautions whenever traveling
outside the United States. It is always recommended to be up to date on your tetanus vaccine as well as to
consider Typhoid and Hepatitis A & B vaccines when traveling to foreign lands where you will be in close
contact with local citizens which all of us will be doing on the medical brigades. Anti-malaria pills should
also be considered when traveling to Honduras. Travelers can also check the latest health information with
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov or calling at 1-877-394-8747
If at any time you do not feel well please contact one of the doctors on the trip. We will have a supply of
medication for diarrhea and other ailments. We typically will start an antibiotic (Cipro) at the first sign of
diarrhea or other GI symptoms

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños 1

Medical Brigade Department
Clothing
Although Honduras is located in the tropics, due to the altitude, temperatures can vary quite a bit. The
daytime sun can be fierce, with highs reaching 85-90, while the nights could be in the 60’s, but will most
likely remain in the 70’s. It is recommended that you bring a light sweater or light to medium weight jacket
for possible cooler evenings.

Conservative, casual and comfortable dress or medical scrubs are the rule for mission work and sightseeing.
Jeans, khakis, shirts, or shorts are recommended for daily wear. If you do decide to wear shorts and tees, be
sure and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. The midday sun is very strong at this latitude.

Money and Tipping

Currency: Lempira
US $1 = 18.89 Lempira
Honduras is an extremely inexpensive destination. An average meal costs only $5 US. Most businesses
deal exclusively in lempiras, so it will be necessary to exchange some of your dollars upon arrival.
Most Hondurans do not tip. In places where tourism has left its mark, tipping is more common, usually
anything from a little loose change up to 10% of the bill. Bargaining is not as common in Honduras as in
other Latin American countries, but at outdoor markets you might be able to save a lempira or two.

INFORMATION REGARDING TO NUEVO PARAISO, THE HACIENDA AND WIL PLACE

FOLLOWING PLEASE FIND SOME INSTRUCTIONS PERTINENT TO THE TRIP, ARRIVAL AND
STAY IN NUEVO PARAISO

While in Honduras, we will be the guests of Sociedad Amigos de los Niños, a nonprofit organization
founded 40 years ago by Sister Maria Rosa Leggol. We will enjoy tranquil facilities in or close to the
village of Nuevo Paraiso a community for single mothers and orphaned children.

The village also includes a chapel, a day care center, an elementary school, a high school, a health clinic,
and a hospice for children with AIDS (Montaña de Luz), a farm for young boys (Flor Azul), a vocational
training center and a variety of micro-business.

Groups can also stay near Nuevo Paraiso at the “Hacienda” or at “Wil Sueño”, beautiful places close to the
village with great views and open spaces, surrounded by trees and special people that will make your stay
even better.

“In working together through our unique gifts, we have moved a step closer in bringing the Americas
together through spiritual and physical healing. Your involvement is what is important. The greatest gift is
your presence with us, giving and sharing community.”

- Sister Maria Rosa

Founder of Sociedad Amigos de los Niños (SAN)

ARRIVAL
Upon arrival, we will go through immigration before claiming our luggage. It would be helpful if the bags
for the entire group are marked in a similar fashion, (e.g. with wide yellow, red or green tape as this will
help us in retrieving them at baggage claim). The professional staff will be at the airport to help us through
customs. Groups can also wear distinctive t-shirts for better group control.
Money changers are usually located outside the entrance to the airport we will arrange for a money
exchange later when we board our bus, after leaving the airport we will precede to Sister Rosa’s for a late
lunch. We will then travel to Nuevo Paraiso, which is located one hour east of the Capital, on the road to
Danlí, El Paraiso. Dinner will be served in the village, followed by an orientation meeting with the staff.

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños 2

Medical Brigade Department
Contact info:

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños

Colonia Miraflores
Contiguo a Clínica San Roque
P.O Box 1054
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Telephone:
011-504-228-3665
011-504-230-4452

Fax
011-504-230-3064 - or-6782

E-mail. saninoshn@yahoo.com
Website: www.saninos.org

Immediate or urgent contact person (in site)

Enrique Rodríguez (“Quique”)
Medical Brigade Department Director
E-mail geraenrique@hotmail.com
Cell phone: 504-970-9478

FIRST DAY:
After arrival to N.P or the Hacienda; many will be getting acquainted with the children and staff (in Nuevo
Paraiso) and preparing for the medical brigade. This includes training for triage, assigning clinic tasks, and
sorting medicines for the medical staff. The group will also tour Nuevo Paraiso and perhaps visit Montaña
de Luz; a children’s AIDS hospice located close to Nuevo Paraiso and the Flor Azul farm.

Throughout the week we will spend our evenings enjoying community activities such as games and
folkloric dancing. One night the Honduran children will put on a show and the last night we will have a
going away dance.

TOUR DAY
Most groups enjoy visiting the Pedro Atala Orphanage in Tegucigalpa and PREPACE; a place for handicap
children and then having lunch at sister’s
or visiting the Valley of the Angels to purchase souvenirs. We return to Nuevo late in the afternoon before
dinner.

WATER
NEVER drink the tap water in Honduras. Bottled water and juices will be readily available at all times. It is
very important to brush your teeth ONLY with bottled water and to avoid rinsing your toothbrush with
anything but bottled water. It is also important to keep your mouth closed while showering. The staff at
Nuevo Paraiso will take all the necessary precautions when preparing our meals and beverages. Outside of
Nuevo avoid ice and only drink commercially bottled water or fruit juices.

MEALS
All meals will be provided. Lunches will vary depending on the location and timing of the day’s activities.
Meals include lots of fruits and vegetables, chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, and fruit juices. The meals are
typical Honduran. Please let us know before you arrive if you have any special requirements (e.g.
vegetarian meals). The kitchen staff tries very hard to please their guests.

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños 3

Medical Brigade Department
ELECTRICITY IN NUEVO PARAISO AND WIL SUEÑO
110V, 60Hz and 220V

SOME RECOMMENDED THINGS TO PACK

A hat to block the sun
Sunglasses
Digital Camera or Regular Cameras, extra batteries and plenty of film
Comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Lightweight cotton clothing (such as hospital scrubs)
You may want to pack clothes that you could leave for the villagers.
Insect repellant
Jacket, sweater, and/or sweatshirt
Water bottle to carry on brigade
Traveler’s pouch to carry cash and passport
Waist pack and/or backpack to carry personal items to mission sites
Snacks (a few granola bars, chocolate (it might melt), Pringles, etc.)
Rain poncho and/or small travel umbrella
Kleenex tissues
Pre-moistened cloths ("Wash & Dry", "Wet Ones") and/or anti-bac gel
Ample supply of any prescription medications plus OTC medicines for allergies, upset stomach/ intestinal
sickness, etc.
Spending money ($75 - $100) for souvenir shopping, beverages, $34 exit tax (US dollars are fine). Hold
this money back. You can’t leave the country without it!

COURTESIES TO CONSIDER
Some of the women at Nuevo Paraiso supplement their small incomes by selling handmade goods after
dinner. It is greatly appreciated if you make a small purchase.

You are encouraged to give your laundry daily to the kitchen staff in a plastic bag (marked with your
name). It will be returned at the end of the day or the next morning.

Any clothing, towels or sheets left for the villagers is greatly appreciated.

SOCIEDAD is working to develop a sense of dignity among the mothers and children. It is critical to help
them in this effort and not give money to anyone under any circumstance. Gifts of any kind should be
approved first by the staff.

RECOMMENDED DONATIONS
Over the counter medicines
Children’s clothing (new or gently used)
Children’s OTC medications
Baby diapers
Children’s tennis shoes or shoes
Hygiene supplies (shampoo, soap, combs, toothbrushes…..)
Games, toys, Spanish children’s books, bingo games and prizes
Reading glasses (the generic drugstore kind, various strengths)

The Medical Brigade Department welcomes you!

You will make a big difference in the lives of those in need!

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños 4

Medical Brigade Department