Model Village and Group Programs

Mission Group Program - When North Americans travel thousands of miles to help a remote village in Central Honduras, lives are changed - sometimes in surprising ways. Facilitating these visits is a core function of HOI. The Group Program begins when someone decides to lead others in their network of friendship and faith. We advise them on assembling their team and on gathering supplies needed in Honduras. The needs change according to the supplies on hand in the various programs so it is always helpful to find out where the greatest need is before planning for a trip.  In Honduras, we take over the logistics, including room and board and travel to and from the villages where groups are working. Groups take on all sorts of tasks, from lending hands in the tough physical labor of construction, to providing expert help in more technical areas and teaching Bible School to the children. The needs are obvious, but so is the value of the help volunteers provide. The sense of making a real difference is often more intense and fulfilling then many North Americans get in their daily lives.  Many times groups see an obvious need that they would like to tackle as a project, such as construction of a water project or a kindergarten or the chance to provide an opportunity for every child in the village to continue their education through our Scholarship program.  Unfortunately, there are times when this leads to promises and commitments to the village by the group.  We would like to ask that before anything is mentioned to the residents in the village, please contact the Decatur HOI office.  Let us get the ball rolling.  We have trained staff who can help make all of these things happen if they are at all possible.  In 2005, over 1000 mission team members from the United States traveled to Honduras to work with their Honduran neighbors in 58 villages.

Model Village Program - The Model Village program is a way for a community in our valley and a sponsoring group of North Americans to form a longer-term relationship that can make the most of all our programs. Most mission teams work in the same village for a two-year period.  However, in addition to simply working and visiting once a year, each team is provided the opportunity to formally partner with that village.  This means that the team agrees to sign a partnership agreement stating that they will help the village during the year through a financial commitment of $2000 per year for a two-year commitment.  This commitment provides the village training in problem solving, teamwork, and planning. It addresses needs in village infrastructure, education, health and hygiene, agriculture and entrepreneurial development. It encourages and assists the spiritual development of both residents and visitors.  This formal partnership also provides training by the HOI nutritionist in proper methods to cultivate and grow family and school gardens.  It also provides formal training and school supplies for the volunteer kindergarten teacher in the village. In 2005, 76 villages have been involved in the model village program; 680 new family gardens were started; 20 kindergartens received new gardens; 308 latrines were built; 215 homes were improved or extended through room additions; 767 chimneys were installed; 424 cement floors were poured in existing homes; 83 water connections were completed; 168 saplings were planted; 1 village received a new drainage system and 634m of pipe were connected for a water distribution system in another village.