Service Team Handbook

January 2016

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But, if you have come because your liberation is bound up with

mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson

Service teams play an integral part in the work being done at El Hogar. Team members become partners with us in turning around the lives of the 250 children who are in our care. These children have experienced far more than many of us could ever fathom – poverty, abuse, hunger – and your interactions with them make a positive difference.

At El Hogar, we want you to not look at your service team experience as an opportunity to check off work that needs to be done, but as a time to build relationships with the children and staff at our facilities. This time is precious and it can – if you allow it to – change your perspective on other cultures and will give you a better understanding of the world we all call home. Don’t try to change the situation to what you think it should be, but be changed by what you see and experience.

We want this to be a mutual learning experience for you and those you will be meeting and working with in Honduras. If a staff member asks you to do something or is trying to teach you how to complete a task, be a willing and eager student. If you have a skill that they could use and would like to learn, be a willing and eager teacher. This is a time of mutual learning on all sides, which will leave lasting impressions on everyone involved.

Welcome

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We encourage you to also use this time to unplug from the everyday realities of the world. Instead, plug into the everyday lives of those you meet at El Hogar. The children in our care are eager to speak with you, learn about you, and – most importantly – to simply be with you. Our staff is made up of individuals who love their country and the children they work with on a daily basis. These are people who know the culture of Honduras better than anyone else and you can learn a great deal from them during your time there.

We encourage you to learn from your fellow team members. In Honduras, you are part of a team and it’s important that you come together as one group. This is necessary as you prepare to travel, while you’re at El Hogar, and after you’ve returned home. We hope that you support each other and work together to raise the funds you need and to accomplish the tasks that you have set before you. Plus, you have an opportunity to grow and create friendships with the rest of your team. Make the most out of this opportunity.

We are excited to welcome you – our guests – to El Hogar in Honduras. We hope that this experience changes your life, deepens your understanding of our shared humanity, and strengthens your participation in the reconciliation of the world.

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Special Notes:

- In 2016, El Hogar will not be hosting service teams at our agricultural school.- As of 2016, the room and board fee that is charged for each member of a visiting

service team will increase to $250 per person.

- WARNING TO TEAMS WITH MINORS (UNDER 18)- There is a process that is in place at the airport in Tegucigalpa that may lengthen the time it

takes to check-in for departing flights. The process is utilized by the Honduran government to safeguard minors who are leaving the country via the airport.

- The process seems to generally be for Honduran minors leaving the country, but there is a possibility that teams with minors may be required to participate.

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General InformationInformation About HondurasInformation About El HogarBeing Part of a Service Team

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General Information – Information About Honduras• Located in the north central part of Central America• Is made up of 43,278 square miles that includes coastline

on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean• Population (as of 2013) is almost 8.1 million people• Education

• Six years of free compulsory schooling• Not as common in rural areas

• Adult literacy rate is 85.1%• Life expectancy is 73.5 years• Climate

• Hot and sunny• Rainy season from May to October• Temperatures range from 75˚F (24˚C) to 90˚F (32˚C)

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General Information – Information About El HogarHonduras is an extremely poor country that offers very little hope for its children. Many of them are forced to beg or live on the streets, instead of attending school. They’re hungry, scared, and without hope.

What El Hogar provides to our 250 5-18 year old students:• Food• Clothing• Shelter• Education• Safety from the dangers of the streets• Medical and dental care• Psychological services

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General Information – Being a Part of a Service TeamService teams play a special role at El Hogar. Members become a part of the community and the experience is (if you have an open mind and heart) life-changing. All that it takes is a willing heart, a selfless mindset, and an open mind. It’s an adventure that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

What the experience offers:• The opportunity to serve others• The opportunity to be a part of a team focused on making

a difference in the lives of children• The opportunity to see firsthand how the vast majority of

the world lives• The opportunity to get to know the children who call El

Hogar home and the staff members who work with them

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CultureAppearance/ClothingHierarchyLanguageMannersSpiritual LifeFood

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Culture - Appearance/ClothingGeneral Honduran Dress Code• Men – nice jeans (no holes) or pants, well-kept shoes/sneakers, t-shirt or regular shirt,

clean shaven (or well-groomed mustache or beard)• Women – nice jeans or pants, long skirts or dresses (especially when going to church),

semi-casual tees• Shorts are not considered appropriate clothing for team members during your stay at El

Hogar• Shirts are tucked into pants and not left out• Do not wear your baseball cap backwards or display tattoos• If you have body piercings (other than a single piercing in each ear), remove them or

cover them while in Honduras

In the past, some of our children have tried to do their own piercings! This is very dangerous. Please be a good role model for them!

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Culture – HierarchyIn Honduras, hierarchy is a very important concept. This is also true at all of El Hogar’s campuses. On each campus, the Director is in charge and should be shown the respect and consideration that their position deserves.

Please try to work through the appropriate channels, rather than going over someone’s head.

Please do not walk into an office without being invited.

When in the presence of the children, please use the formal terms of respect for the staff:

• Don Lazaro, Doña Claudia, Don Yony, etc.• Address teachers as Profesor or Profesora

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Culture – LanguageHonduras is a Spanish-speaking country; it is not bilingual like Belize nor as English-oriented as Costa Rica.

Most of the Directors at El Hogar are bilingual, and a few teachers know some English. Your service team host will speak English, as well as some teachers.

You will find it helpful to learn some basic Spanish phrases prior to coming (see flashcards at the end of this handbook). • Don’t be shy to try to speak Spanish• Our students like to learn English and can even help you learn some Spanish

If you are staying at the Farm, at least one or two of the team members needs to have very strong Spanish skills; the staff at the Farm speak very little English.

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Culture – MannersWhen you pass by someone while on your way somewhere, it is polite to say “permiso” as you pass by. This simply means, “excuse me”.

When playing with the children, please keep in mind that many of them were physically and sexually abused. Please do not roughhouse with the children or hug them unless they initiate the contact. Most of the children are very affectionate; visitors need to treat them with care while at the same time offering love and warmth.

It is important that the children always feel safe, so please use good judgment when playing with them.• Please DO NOT pick the children up

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Culture – Spiritual LifeEl Hogar is a mission project of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras. People of every background, both cultural and religious, however, are welcome and encouraged to participate on a service team.

Spiritual life is a big part of the life of the children. They attend morning and evening devotions and often have church service during the week. Every Sunday the children and staff attend a church service.

We do not require service team members to participate in these religious activities, but we do encourage it, as part of sharing in the lives of the children.

Religious belief or participation is never required at El Hogar.

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Culture – FoodOur children come from backgrounds of poverty and starvation, which has greatly shaped the way they view food.

We ask that you:• Do not leave food behind on your plates• Try to share food with one of your other team members if you don’t care for it• Approach meals with a sense of adventure

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Service Team PreparationsCostsLuggageMedicalHelpful ResourcesTravel Documentation

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Service Team Preparations - Costs• Airfare – varies by departure location• Team fee – $2,500 minimum, though we greatly appreciate any amount above this• Room, board, and transportation in country – $250/person for the week

• Covers meals and lodging at El Hogar and local transportation for the week.• Discretionary funds – approximately $100/person for optional events and personal

purchases.

Cash can be exchanged into Lempira (the local currency) once you arrive in Honduras.

Generally, teams will do various fundraising to raise the Team fee ($2,500) and all other expenses are the responsibility of each individual team member.

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Service Team Preparations – Your Luggage andOur Needs ListWe are always excited to receive items from our needs list (available from Margo Mingay at mmingay@elhogar.org) when teams arrive for their stay. As you prepare for your visit to El Hogar, please keep this information in mind so that you can maximize the number of items from our list that you can bring:

• Check as many of your personal items as you can in your carry-on• Only bring items on the list• If you like, use a bag that you no longer want and can leave at El Hogar

• We use these for transporting items to our various campuses• Spread the items amongst other members of your team

All items that are brought for donation must be given to Erika Skafel, Coordinator of North American Relations, as soon as you can after arriving.

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Service Team Preparations - Medical• Contact your physician or a Travel Clinic 8 – 10 weeks prior to your departure to obtain

advice regarding any shots or immunizations that may be necessary.• Obtain all necessary prescription medications to cover your trip and pack them in their

original containers.• Review your current health insurance for coverage of illness/accidents occurring

outside the US or Canada.• Verify if your health insurance will cover emergency medical evacuation by air

ambulance.• Bring phone/fax number of your physician and health insurance company.• Drug/food allergies? Bring medication and documentation in your carry-on.• Physicians often recommend pre-travel anti-malarial medication, although it is not

required. Malaria risk is somewhat greater for teams staying at the Farm and is usually quite low for the surrounding Tegucigalpa area.

• It is suggested that a designated member of your team bring over the counter (OTC) medication (i.e. Pepto-Bismol) for any stomach issues that might occur.

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Service Team Preparations - Helpful Resources& Suggestions• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm• World Health Organization: www.who.int/ith and www.who.int/health-topics/idindex.htm• US Embassy in Honduras: 504-238-5114 x4400• Canadian Embassy in Honduras: 504-22-32-45-51• Church Insurance Agency: 1-800-293-3525

It is suggested that you register with your country’s government before leaving for Honduras:

• US citizens can register with the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov.• Canadian citizens can register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad program at

travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration.

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Service Team Preparations – Travel Documentation• Passports

• You are responsible for knowing the current passport requirements.• The date of expiration must be AT LEAST six months after the date your trip begins.

• If you do not meet the requirements you will NOT be able to travel with your team.• Make a copy of your passport and carry it with you.• You will need your passport or a copy if you leave the El Hogar grounds.

• Parental Consent Form• You are responsible for knowing the current requirements for minors traveling

without their parents.• A signed consent form may be required if a minor is traveling with a group without one or both

of their parents.

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Arrival LogisticsErika Skafel, Coordinator of North American RelationsAbraham Palma from the Farm At the Airport

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Arrival Logistics – Service Team HostYou will be picked from the airport (and dropped back off) by one of two people:

Erika Skafel – Coordinator of North American Relations

Abraham Palma – For those teams going to the Agricultural School

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Arrival Logistics – At The Airport• El Hogar – Teams arrive and depart on Saturday / Farm – Teams arrive and depart on a

Friday• Any deviation from the schedule listed above must be approved by Margo Mingay by

contacting her at mmingay@elhogar.org.• Fill out the customs form provided during your flight to Honduras.

• Address to use on the form is: Colonia San Jose de la Vega• Go through the immigration line and show your passport. • Enter the baggage claim room and retrieve your luggage.

• Be alert when collecting your bags; it is often chaotic and crowded. Hold onto your baggage claim tags, as you will be asked to show them later.

• If possible, it is easier and cheaper to move your luggage on your own, but if you need assistance it is available from porters for a small charge.

• El Hogar staff will be waiting for you just outside the baggage claim. • The staff person will be on the lookout for you and will introduce themselves.

• Upon your arrival to the Elementary or Agricultural School, you can get settled into the volunteer house. • During the afternoon or evening there will be a tour of the premises and orientation meeting

given by a staff member. • They will review some helpful things about living at El Hogar and sometimes tell stories

about the children. • This is a time to review any questions about your schedule for the week and to let the

staff know of any issues or special needs.

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Your Week at El HogarActivities during your stayChild and Staff InteractionsAccommodations at El HogarA typical service team schedule at the Elementary SchoolAccommodations at the Agricultural School

A typical Service Team schedule at the Agricultural School/FarmInformation for Farm TeamsFood and WaterSecurity and safety at El HogarSending Team Information Back Home via the internet 25

Your Week at El Hogar – Activities During Your StayThings you may be doing during your stay:• a work project• a home visit and discussion about the neighborhoods and living conditions our children

come from• trips to visit our other centers• a trip to a nearby artisan community (may need some money, but some stores now

take credit cards)• lunch at a restaurant with some of the children

• If you are going to a restaurant with the children, please respect the instructions of the staff as to how much the children may eat.

• Sunday services at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (Optional)• Farm teams will not go into Tegucigalpa for church on Sunday, but can use the chapel on the

Farm premises sometime during the week or perhaps attend a service in Talanga, the nearby town.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Activities During Your StayOn your last night or last morning, there could be a goodbye celebration. The children may have cards to give you, speeches to make, and if you are really lucky, you may be treated to a marimba concert. You will have the opportunity to say some things to the children and staff if you wish.

The most important part of your stay will be the time you take to relax and play with the children. They love to play soccer (futbol), basketball, Twister, games, cards, jacks, marbles, draw with sidewalk chalk, etc. The older boys like games, listening to music, dancing.

The team is encouraged to take time as a team each night after the children go to bed, to debrief the day, to talk, to laugh, and to relax. There will also be pockets of time when team members can spend some quiet or alone time to write, or read or rest.

For safety reasons, El Hogar requires that no service team member leave the premises at any time, except during a team outing in a vehicle driven by an employee of El Hogar.   27

It is important that you gain a wider understanding of Honduras and the work being done by El Hogar during your stay. Learning about the homes and neighborhoods of our children will give you a better understanding of the difficult lives of hundreds of thousands of Hondurans. Sometimes teams (all or some members) will visit the neighborhoods and homes of our children. These visits are prearranged and the families are welcoming to visitors. Seeing the city of Tegucigalpa and the surrounding rural areas also provides a fuller picture of the range of life experience in Honduras.  

You will also be given an opportunity to see all four of our centers, which provides a full picture of the work El Hogar is doing as our students grow into young men and women who will be able to take care of themselves and their families upon graduation.

• If there is a team at the Farm and at El Hogar at the same, we try to arrange lunch and a tour of the Technical School for both teams together.

Your Week at El Hogar – Activities During Your Stay

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Your Week at El Hogar – Child and Staff InteractionsIt is important that you think of yourself as a guest in the home of our students and staff home. Please be mindful that the staff and children have a schedule that remains in place during most service team visits. Requests to enter classrooms or dorms for bedtime cannot be accommodated. Service teams visit almost every week and this would become disruptive over time. While the staff is very interested to meet and spend time with you, please remember that they are also working. Please do not ignore them, but also respect their responsibilities. Despite language and cultural differences, our students love getting attention from service teams. However, please be mindful that they have chores and responsibilities. So for example, if a child is sweeping, please do not ask him or her to play. Do not detain them and make them late. Special time is allotted for playing with them during your stay.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Child and Staff InteractionsCan you bring special gifts for a particular student?• No - Service teams and sponsors often want to bring things to give to the children,

such as candy or toys. However, we must ask for your understanding in this rule. Because the children live in community, like a family, it is essential for the staff to treat them with fairness and equality. They take great care to avoid situations where a child feels left out or treated unfairly. (An alternative for a sponsor would be to bring photos to give to their child.)

What can you bring for the students?El Hogar is always in need to supplies like clothing and school materials. Margo Mingay maintains an updated list of needed supplies. Please contact her at mmingay@elhogar.org or 416-696-7682 for more information.We also encourage you to bring an activity for the children. It can be as simple as small games (jacks or marbles) or sidewalk chalk. Older boys enjoy board games. You can also bring a more organized arts and crafts project. These games must be brought back to the volunteer house after using them.

What if you sponsor a student and you want to spend time with them during your visit?Please ask Erika how to arrange to spend time with him or her. The staff will want to support you in spending a good amount of time with your child.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Accommodations at El Hogar A large volunteer house sits on the property of El Hogar in Tegucigalpa for teams working on the elementary campus:• Four bedrooms (each with an attached bathroom)

• Each sleep two to eight people, mostly in bunk beds• Common living area• Kitchenette

• Refrigerator• Stove• Microwave• Coffee maker• Dishes and cups

• Enclosed porch

Clean the volunteer house before you leave

It’s important to remember that you are a guest of El Hogar during your stay and we ask that you treat our

facilities with respect. Please clean up when you prepare to leave.

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Your Week at El Hogar – A Typical Service TeamSchedule at the Elementary SchoolYour visit will be filled with many opportunities to experience El Hogar, an example of a typical schedule at the elementary school could look like this:

Saturday (Arrival)

• Arrive from the airport and settle in• Orientation meeting and a tour of the

campus• Relax or play with the children prior to dinner• Dinner• Relax or play with the children until their

bedtime• Meet as a team

Sunday

• Breakfast• Attend church at St. Mary’s (if desired)• Lunch with several of the children• Relax or play with the children until dinner• Dinner• Relax or play with the children until their

bedtime• Meet as a team

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Your Week at El Hogar – A Typical Service TeamSchedule at the Elementary School

Monday - Friday

BreakfastWork project / classroom helpLunchWork project until midafternoonPlay with children during afternoon breakDinnerRelax or play with the children until their bedtimeMeet as a team

*Visit other centers during the week

Saturday (Departure)• Breakfast• Pack, relax, play with the children• Leave for airport• Fly home

In addition, there are other special activities that could be included during your time at El Hogar, depending on time and availability.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Accommodations at the Agricultural School/FarmA volunteer house sits on the property of El Hogar’s Agricultural School/Farm in Talanga for teams working on the campus:• Two bedrooms (the house can sleep up to 14 people) • Two bathrooms• Common living area

• Small refrigerator• Microwave• Coffee maker• Dishes and cups

• Screened-in porch

Clean the volunteer house before you leave

It’s important to remember that you are a guest of El Hogar during your stay and we ask that you treat our

facilities with respect. Please clean up when you prepare to leave.

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Your Week at El Hogar – A Typical Service TeamSchedule at the Agricultural School/FarmYour visit will be filled with many opportunities to experience El Hogar, an example of a typical schedule at the Agricultural School could look like this:

Friday (Arrival)

• Arrive from the airport and settle in• Stop at the elementary campus on your way

to the Farm• Orientation meeting and a tour of the

campus• Dinner• Relax with the boys until their bedtime• Meet as a team

Saturday

• Breakfast• Relax with the boys• Lunch• Possibly begin your project• Dinner• Relax with the boys until their bedtime• Meet as a team

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Your Week at El Hogar – A Typical Service TeamSchedule at the Agricultural School/Farm

Sunday

• Breakfast• Relax with the boys• Lunch • Dinner• Relax with the boys until their bedtime• Meet as a team

Monday - Thursday

• Breakfast• Work project• Lunch• Work project • Clean up and relax• Dinner• Relax with the boys until their bedtime• Meet as a team

*Visit the Technical Institute & Santa Lucia during the week

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Your Week at El Hogar – A Typical Service TeamSchedule at the Elementary School

Friday (Departure)• Breakfast• Prepare to leave• Arrive at the airport• Fly home

In addition, there are other special activities that could be included during your time at El Hogar, depending on time and availability.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Food and Water FoodDuring your stay at El Hogar, most of your meals will be provided (the exception will be meals that are taken out at local restaurants).

A few points to keep in mind:• You will be eating the same food as the children

• Examples include rice, beans, tortillas, plantains, cheese, chicken, and eggs• You MUST notify the staff prior to a meal if you are not planning on eating the food

provided• Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated and this is NOT a nut-free facility• Please keep your own snacks (i.e. protein bars, crackers, etc.) in the volunteer house.

We request that you not bring them out when the children are present or share with them.• Make sure they are properly sealed to prevent rodents and insects

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Your Week at El Hogar – Food and Water WaterWater service at both of our campuses (elementary and farm) is being improved thanks to the help of donors.

A few points to keep in mind:• As in any other Central or South American country, DO NOT drink the tap water

• It is safe to wash dishes using tap water, but ensure that dishes are dry before you use them• El Hogar provides pure bottled drinking water in large jugs for use in the house and to

refill your water bottles• This water should be used when making food, tea, or coffee, as well as brushing your teeth

• In an effort to conserve water, it is also important that showers be quick

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Your Week at El Hogar – Security & Safety at El HogarThe safety and security of our children, staff, and guests is our highest priority. It’s important that you follow the rules and advice that are provided. There are always risks when traveling, particularly to a developing country, but you’re much safer when following the information below. Rules• Tobacco and alcohol are NOT allowed on any of our campuses

• If you eat out at a restaurant during your visit, we ask that any team members 21 years of age or younger abstain from using these products.

• Use of these substances on any of our campuses will NOT be tolerated, and users are subject to removal from El Hogar premises, and potential restriction from returning another year.

• Team members are NOT permitted to leave the campuses• The campuses are surrounded by perimeter walls or fences and have guards patrolling at

night.• Team members leaving any of our campuses without permission will NOT be tolerated and are

subject to removal from El Hogar premises, and potential restriction from returning another year. Breaking these rules puts the El Hogar program at risk.

• Do not bring valuables on your trip• It is important to remember that you are traveling to a third-world country where people are

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Your Week at El Hogar – Security & Safety at El Hogar

• Please remember to leave valuables (expensive phones, watches, jewelry, cameras, large sums of cash, etc.) at home. These valuables make you a target for theft.

• The volunteer house should always be kept locked during your stay to ensure the safety of your belongings.

• Any belongings you bring with you are brought at your own risk and El Hogar is NOT responsible for any loss of or damage to property during your stay.

• Do not allow children to use your phone or camera• It’s important for teams to document their experiences and cameras are an excellent way to

keep memories of your trip. Please do NOT allow any of the students to play with or use your digital devices.

• We invite you to use your cameras at any of our facilities when you’re visiting. You can share your photos with El Hogar by contacting Jason Lang, our Manager of Marketing and Communications, at jlang@elhogar.org.

• El Hogar is NOT responsible for any loss of or damage to property during your stay.

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Your Week at El Hogar – Sending Team InformationBack Home via the InternetCellphones, laptops, tablets, and other communication devices have become an everyday part of people’s lives. We encourage you to create a team blog to highlight your daily experiences during your visit. While we understand your desire to communicate with friends and family at home, we must insist on rules for use of the internet during your stay at El Hogar.

• Please do NOT utilize wi-fi throughout the day for surfing the internet, listening to music, updating social media, or other reasons.• You have traveled as a service team to spend time serving on our campuses and interacting

with the students – this is a good opportunity to unplug.• Internet connectivity is unpredictable.

• Delegate one person to send updates each day• Each day, one person should be designated to send home updates or to update your team

blog.• Be mindful of what you post

• Whatever you post about your trip (blogs, photos, etc.) reflects directly on El Hogar. Please use care and thought when preparing them.

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Please remember:

Have fun and enjoy your experience!

Try to get the most out of this experience. The memories you make will last a lifetime and your work will have long-lasting effects on the students you interact with. This is the chance of a lifetime and an

opportunity to make a real difference in the world we all call home.

Welcome toEl Hogar!

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