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Honduras: “In-Country” InstructionsWhat to Expect
A positive & flexible attitude and sense of adventure are the first requirements for a meaningful missionexperience. If you are on your first trip to a developing nation you must keep in mind that things do notalways work as we are accustomed to, nor as we expect them to. The infrastructure in Honduras remainsseveral years behind that of the USA and plans often change. Should inconveniences occur, understandingis 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 denialof entry to aircraft or a foreign country. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the Honduras Embassy for anyvisas 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 aduty free exemption up to $400. This allowance may include one U.S. quart (32 oz.) of liquor per adult. Inaddition to the exemption, gifts may be mailed home to a friend or relative limited to $25.00 per day andnot 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 oneat home, and keeping one on you.Please note the following new international security precautions travelers have experienced at the differentairports 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 includesrazors, 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 maximumlinear 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 notexpired, 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 bedestroyed 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 youconsult your physician for advice on any recommended vaccines or special precautions whenever travelingoutside the United States. It is always recommended to be up to date on your tetanus vaccine as well as toconsider Typhoid and Hepatitis A & B vaccines when traveling to foreign lands where you will be in closecontact with local citizens which all of us will be doing on the medical brigades. Anti-malaria pills shouldalso be considered when traveling to Honduras. Travelers can also check the latest health information withthe 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 symptomsSociedad Amigos de los NiñosMedical Brigade Department1
 
Clothing
Although Honduras is located in the tropics, due to the altitude, temperatures can vary quite a bit. Thedaytime sun can be fierce, with highs reaching 85-90, while the nights could be in the 60’s, but will mostlikely remain in the 70’s. It is recommended that you bring a light sweater or light to medium weight jacketfor 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, besure and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. The midday sun is very strong at this latitude.
Money and Tipping
Currency: LempiraUS $1 = 18.89 LempiraHonduras is an extremely inexpensive destination. An average meal costs only $5 US. Most businessesdeal 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, usuallyanything from a little loose change up to 10% of the bill. Bargaining is not as common in Honduras as inother 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 PLACEFOLLOWING PLEASE FIND SOME INSTRUCTIONS PERTINENT TO THE TRIP, ARRIVAL ANDSTAY IN NUEVO PARAISOWhile in Honduras, we will be the guests of Sociedad Amigos de los Niños, a nonprofit organizationfounded 40 years ago by Sister Maria Rosa Leggol. We will enjoy tranquil facilities in or close to thevillage 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 vocationaltraining 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 thevillage with great views and open spaces, surrounded by trees and special people that will make your stayeven better.“In working together through our unique gifts, we have moved a step closer in bringing the Americastogether through spiritual and physical healing. Your involvement is what is important. The greatest gift isyour presence with us, giving and sharing community.”- Sister Maria RosaFounder 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 bagsfor the entire group are marked in a similar fashion, (e.g. with wide yellow, red or green tape as this willhelp us in retrieving them at baggage claim). The professional staff will be at the airport to help us throughcustoms. 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 moneyexchange later when we board our bus, after leaving the airport we will precede to Sister Rosa’s for a latelunch. We will then travel to Nuevo Paraiso, which is located one hour east of the Capital, on the road toDanlí, El Paraiso. Dinner will be served in the village, followed by an orientation meeting with the staff.Sociedad Amigos de los NiñosMedical Brigade Department2
 
Contact info:
Sociedad Amigos de los NiñosColonia MirafloresContiguo a Clínica San RoqueP.O Box 1054Tegucigalpa, HondurasTelephone:011-504-228-3665011-504-230-4452Fax011-504-230-3064 - or-6782 E-mail.saninoshn@yahoo.comWebsite:www.saninos.orgImmediate or urgent contact person (in site)Enrique Rodríguez (“Quique”)Medical Brigade Department Director E-mailgeraenrique@hotmail.com Cell phone: 504-970-9478FIRST DAY:After arrival to N.P or the Hacienda; many will be getting acquainted with the children and staff (in NuevoParaiso) and preparing for the medical brigade. This includes training for triage, assigning clinic tasks, andsorting medicines for the medical staff. The group will also tour Nuevo Paraiso and perhaps visit Montañade 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 andfolkloric dancing. One night the Honduran children will put on a show and the last night we will have agoing away dance. 
TOUR DAY
Most groups enjoy visiting the Pedro Atala Orphanage in Tegucigalpa and PREPACE; a place for handicapchildren and then having lunch at sister’sor visiting the Valley of the Angels to purchase souvenirs. We return to Nuevo late in the afternoon beforedinner.
WATER 
 NEVER drink the tap water in Honduras. Bottled water and juices will be readily available at all times. It isvery important to brush your teeth ONLY with bottled water and to avoid rinsing your toothbrush withanything 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 aretypical 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 NiñosMedical Brigade Department3
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