-
Assist
the religious ceremonies at a local church.
-
Visit
peoples homes (unannounced is fine…although contrary
to our culture). This is a good way of getting to know
the women in town. Share a cup of coffee, ask about their
kids, and learn how to wash your clothes or make tortillas…
-
Participate
in community sports…play soccer…or go to the
games.
-
Play
games with the kids. Lend them crayons and some paper
so they can draw/color.
-
Visit
the school. Ask the students to show you their notebooks.
Help out with English homework. Ask the teacher for an
hour or a half an hour a day to teach the students English
or teach them about your country, town, culture. (Showing
and explaining your flag, photographs, post-cards, etc.
to them would be fun.) Play games with the students.
-
When
doing a project to leave behind such as a mural…involve
the community…the youth mostly. What do they want
to paint…what colors do they think would look good…
And if you can’t get this out of them…invite
them to participate in the process of painting…
-
Solicit
toothbrushes and toothpaste from your local dentist. Buy
a bunch or cheap reading glasses at the dollar store.
This way you can give oral hygiene classes at the schools
and eye-sight testing for the elderly through the health
center.
-
Invite
the youth and kids on excursions your group takes (to
go hiking, swimming, etc….)
-
Organize
a meeting with the community leaders to find out about
their projects, goals and problems. Share a little about
the history and mission of your group. What did the group
have to do to fundraise?
-
It
is common in Honduras to say goodbye rather than hello
as you pass somebody. Adios is a greeting to use as you
pass by someone.
-
To
call someone over to you, do not use a finger to beckon
them, rather, use your entire hand sweeping it in an under
motion motioning the person to come your way.
-
Laugh
at yourself! As a foreigner, you are going to do things
and make mistakes that are funny to Hondurans…enjoy
it!!
