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

Infos

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  Description

  Before I get started, please take note that Workaway has my location tagged in the wrong place on their map. Please look up Macuelizo, San Isidro, Intibuca on Google maps to make sure you understand where you think you are going. Thanks.😉😊
  
  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 this community that, until now, isn't very familiar with books.
  My hope is to help develop and enrich the lives of these children and young adults.
  
  One of my passions is art, especially painting and sculpture. I have a BFA in sculpture, and immensely appreciate delving into, and collaborating with others in the creative process, whether it be art, writing, landscaping, gardening, sewing, or culinary delights.
  
  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.
  
  Another passion of mine is flower and vegetable gardening. Although I prefer the permaculture approach to gardening and life, I do humor myself with trying to keep vegetable crops in my garden. (Weeding is always a challenge, however, as weeds in a tropical environment are happier than ducks in a pond...)
  
  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 appreciate Waldorf education principles, and it's integration of beauty and nature into the work space, I am constantly striving to integrate them into the space the space here.
  
  During the Honduran school year, which runs from the beginning of March to early November, I tutor Spanish reading skills and basic math concepts (addition and subtracion) to the children that struggle to learn them in school.
  
  I offer organized art activities year round, as well as organized English classes in the public school; (which serve wonderfully as "bilingual classes" for any workaway volunteer who would like practice in either English or Spanish). I love to have volunteers who aren't too shy to try helping conduct English classes😉😊

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Enseignement

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  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.
  Any time of year is a good time to be here getting to know the local culture, and getting involved in daily life.
  Those travelers that are interested in picking coffee should come between November to February.
  Those that are interested in working with children during their school year should come between March and October. (However, since one of our houses hosts a library, children frequent the premises all year round.)
  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, the children and I love to play baseball, soccer, and swim in the river.
  I will also add that any artist that is looking for a place for an extended stay in order to be able to work on their art, is welcome to use this space as an "artist in residence" type studio.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  For the artístic and creative, there are many opportunities to share your passions. skills and inspiration with many interested youngsters. Or, simply immerse and lose yourself in your own creative world to work on your body of art.
  
  I would be thrilled to host any volunteers that would be interested in building a tree house on the back lot of the property....
  
  Any garden lovers are welcome to find their space or corner to try new things, or simply help me keep up with weeding, watering, planting and harvesting. In this next part of the year I'm hoping to prepare a fruit tree nursery that will be used to fill the property with a larger variety of fruits, including cacao, lemon, zapote, sour plum, etc.
  
  At the present time I'm working through remodeling the bodega, and would appreciate help with design ideas, as well as figuring out the best type of window arrangement.
  
  Anyone willing to give a hand with tutoring the children during the school year will not regret the impact they leave on the childrens' lives.
  They make your time worthwhile through their love, hugs, and smiles.
  
  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.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  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. Personally, for me, a late afternoon meal time is a special daily event that is always full of interesting conversation, and is a pleasant time to relax, and to forge and nourish new friendships. 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 amazing coffee. We have electricity, and Wi-Fi, but during rainy season frequent lightning storms often cause power outages.
  Our dog Pepita believes that every work away volunteer comes here to meet her! So be prepared- she's a very happy ball of energy!
  Her very timid sidekick, Layla,will acknowledged your presence, and then go off to hide. The 2 dogs are the only animals on the property.

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  Autres infos...

  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, and baseball, 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.
  
  For those that would like to experience coffee-picking, there are choice opportunities.
  
  Neighbors will lend horses for riding, and motorcycles for exploring. We are "dirt-roads", and few-cars.
  
  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.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Small, van sized vehicles would fit inside the parking area

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 3-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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