-
Carry
the least amount of money possible.
-
Bring
2 photocopies of your passport. PAG suggests that the
group leader collects all the passports after passing
through customs and keeps them in a safe place. Another
leader collects a copy of each passport before the trip
for safe keeping, and each person carries a separate copy
of their passport with them at all times for identification
purposes.
-
Travel
only during the day. Do not travel after dusk or before
dawn.
-
Do
not go anywhere alone. (always use the buddy system)
-
When
travelling long distances be sure to be accompanied by
someone from the community, PAG, or a Honduran you trust.
-
Inform
group leaders where you are going and when you will be
back (even if just going on a walk). This is a courtesy
not a control measure and will help the group know if/when/how
to search for you if that is needed.
-
Do
not bring or wear any gold or silver jewellery or expensive
watches in Honduras.
-
Ask
for permission before taking a photograph of somebody.
-
Don’t
play the hero if ever assaulted. Give the thieves what
they want. Period.
-
Never
leave anything you can’t afford to lose behind anywhere…in
the hotel rooms, house, bus, offices, etc. Generally we
guarantee the honesty of PAG employees and community leaders.
However, we can not guarantee 100% security. If something
is stolen, it is usually long gone. Do not expect the
police or community to recover it. (If they do, take it
as a pleasant surprise.)
-
Do
as the Romans Do…
This can be particularly hard for women from the United
States who are accustomed to a lot more freedom of decision
making, expression and movement. For example, in some
towns, Honduran women are not on the streets at night.
Another example is that interactions between men and women
are generally in group settings, unless the expectation
of the friendship is romantic. Unless you are old friends
and there is a lot of trust based on a history of friendship,
pure friendships between a man and a woman are rare. If
a man or a woman singles out someone of the opposite sex
to spend time with, the intension is almost always romantic.
-
Maintain
boundaries or personal/group space that are comfortable
for the group if you are in a community setting. For example,
the group may want to make its sleeping quarters a private
space, not open to the town and children. One does not
want to be closed, because the idea is to get to know
the community. However, be conscious of keeping important
space related boundaries for mental health (the concept
of personal space in rural Honduras is very different
from the average North American’s perception).
-
Get
to know and mix with the community you are in (see “Ideas
for Integrating into the Community”). The same community
will look out for your safety, warn you and help you in
emergencies. That community trust is essential to your
safety.
-
Ask
for the community leaders’ advice when in doubt
on a question of security.
