A small slice of paradise inhabited by a sweet little library and an artistic oasis near San Isidro, Intibuca, Honduras

Details

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  Description

  Hi! My name is Aura. I live amongst and work with children and families here in the mountains of a coffee-producing region of Honduras. My home hosts a small library that is open and available to the community children that, until recently, havent been familiarized with literature and reading. The library contains games, puzzles, dolls, skateboards, and many other special activities aimed at giving the children diversity in their life experience.
  My basic hope in these days of heavy cell phone usage, is to keep children connected to the magic of childhood- off line.
  
  One of my passions is art, especially painting and sculpture. I have a BFA in sculpture, and immensely appreciate the creative processes.
  At present, we're working at painting murals in the village"s public school- and I welcome, with open arms, any traveler that desires to contribute to this endeavor. There is 1 large wall and 2 partial walls still available to paint.
  I'm also very grateful for volunteers that can bring fresh energy and inspiration for helping the teachers of the public school with their English classes a couple of times per week.
  
  The outreach that I offer to the community is primarily aimed at creative enrichment and literacy. The space that I've made available for the community children is a place where they come to paint, draw, study, bake, play, laugh, sew, and visit. My hope is that any workaway volunteer will feel the same freedoms to do likewise, share their inspiring project ideas, and relate to the children on a personal, casual level. I very much appreciate any hand and heart that can help integrate beauty and nature into the work spaces here.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Gardening

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Charity work

  

  Animals

  

  Carpentry

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Writing

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Music

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Books

  

  Astronomy

  

  Art & design

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Camping

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I speak fluent english and spanish that is fluent, but not perfect. A visitor will have language and cultural immersion, as well as many opportunites to accompany the natives in their daily life activities. There is a mine of cultural gems that could be discovered by those that are willing to explore and relate.
  
  April and May are hot, dry, dusty and smoky.
  The remaining months are a comfortable 75°-85° F, often rainy, and quite pleasant.
  In any season, we all love to play baseball, soccer, and swim in the river.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  At present, I am looking for volunteers who play the guitar, and who would be willing to give short, one on one beginner classes to a few children. There is a new acoustic guitar that lives here with me. I don't have a clue how to play it, but I would love to help bring music into this community
  
  Overall, I'm looking for volunteers with the willingness to spend a few hours with the native children here at the library every afternoon. Just simply being a friend to them, engaging in projects with them, and showing interest in their activities.
  
  For the artístic and creative,the current mural painting project down in the public school is a wonderful opportunity to explore your creative freedom.
  
  I have a large-ish garden that is a magnet for hundreds of amazing butterflies, occasionally the garden vegetables provides variety and flavor to our meals throughout most of the year. Any garden lovers are welcome to help keep up with weeding, watering, planting and harvesting. In this climate zone there are many wonderful types of plants and trees- for any one interested in learning more about Central American botany, this is a great place be.
  
  Lastly, I will say that it is very important to me that any volunteer can take basic instructions and decide for themself how to execute a task according to their own strengths, talents and preferences. I don't like to think and decide for others.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  There are two houses on the property, and to my volunteers, I offer a private bedroom with a padlock in the guest house, which also houses the library/learning center. Depending on which room is available, you will be given a double bed, or single bed and semi-private bathroom with hot, running water. Visitors are welcome to share meals, or cook and eat on their own time and in their preferred space. I try to keep a well-stocked kitchen. But the truth is, everyone up here eats "typical mountain food"-eggs, chicken, fresh milk, homemade cheese and yogurt, beans, corn tortillas, rice, bananas, other seasonal fruits, vegetables and delicious fruit juices and yummy local coffees and teas. We have electricity, and Wi-Fi, but during rainy season frequent lightning storms often cause power outages.
  The library house hosts a fully-equipped sewing room that is available to work and create in, or simply learn to sew, if that's something you've been desiring to do.
  Our dog Pepita believes that every work away volunteer comes here to meet her! So be prepared- she's a real ball of energy. Her side kick, Ama, is a charmer, and will fall in love with you in a matter of minutes.
  I tend to be a quiet person who very much enjoys spending time with the children that come to the house, as well as playing soccer with them.
  I often leave my volunteers to their own ideas and projects and step back to give then room to practice Spanish, get to know the local people and customs, and soak up the love and culture of this community.
  I encourage curious volunteers to get out and meet the natives. The locals enjoy meeting outsiders: and as we live in a safe area, folks are generally out and about doing their visiting until about 8 p.m. And in mentioning this, please understand that this is a very rural, typical mountain community that wakes with the rooster's crow, and sleeps with the coming of the star-filled, quiet night. It gathers and chops firewood for cooking, keeps chickens, rides horses and mules to work, washes clothes by hand, build houses from hand-made adobes, and plants everything by hand without tractors. There are very few places to shop, and no restaurants. That being said, the are daily busses that come and go to the larger towns outide of these mountains. The bus rates are cheap, and I encourage volunteers to get ot at last one to explore: or, get up further into the mountains to explore the forests and rivers.

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  What else ...

  Nature lovers will be encouraged to enjoy trips to the river, and hiking excursions in the mountains, as well as outings to pick mangos, oranges or whatever the seasonal fruit may be. Playing soccer is another favorite pastime here in the village, where ever a game may unfold.
  
  The sunrises, sunsets, and summer thunderstorms here tend to be amazing.
  Camping is easy to arrange in the mountain forests.
  
  There are a few daily busses that come and go from the nearest town an hour away, as well as to the next larger town 2 hours away. Bus fare is $1.50-$3 each way. The new international airport XPL is an easy 2-3 hour bus ride from home. I am about 4 hours from Tegucigalpa, 4 hours from San Pedro Sula, and 2 hours from Siguatepeque.
  
  I am ready to answer any questions you may have, and give as many more details as you may need about the area and lifestyle.
  
  The area is beautiful. The children are brimming with love. And I can promise that your experience here will be unforgettable.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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