Safety in Catacamas, Honduras What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
Do not go anywhere without someone from the church, or after they let you explore, at least 3 people in a group. Do not go anywhere that does not have a lot of people. Be smart. Do not drink or smoke. Do not flash expensive stuff.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Catacamas, Honduras Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
Ministry included teaching English, Bible, and other courses at the school where we lived from 8-2 PM. After 2, we painted a bundling that would be a feeding center for 2-3 hours. On Saturdays we did a feeding program in the mornings and Sunday’s were church services.
This was my favorite month. They desperately need people to spur the kids on to learn more proficient English and challenge them. More hands are always a plus in all the different subjects. I really felt like we were adding a lot to the ministry through our various levels of aptitudes. We also brought clarity to the Bible classes and tried to fend off legalism. The kids appeared comparatively well-off, but it didn’t mean that they needed ministry any less. Now the kids at the Comedor – soup kitchen ate off the garbage of the street. Giving them hope and feeding them, making friends with them and their mothers – that was also very rewarding. Musically inclined people very appreciated in all areas of ministry. 4. Keep ’em coming. The pastor, his wife and family, and Nacho’s family are awesome – make a concerted effort to get to know them. Also, the church and the congregation were welcoming, appreciative, and really sought us out. Get to know Tito Martinez, Alex, and Becca and Marcus. Also get to know Francisco and Carmen (don’t know last name), and Luis and Rosemary Lara.
Lodging
Lodging in Catacamas, Honduras Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We stayed at one of the recreation centers on site. About 10 bunk beds, 3 showers, 3 toilets, and 2 AC units per dorm. We doubled up on mattresses and it was pretty comfortable. The kitchen is located on site in a different building and included one fridge, a few stoves, coffee pot, and sink. The site always has a basketball court and swimming pool. Plenty of space to hang up your hammock.
We stayed at the recreation center right beside the school. 2 dorms, 20 beds each, 3 bathroom stalls and showers each, 2 sinks each. Good to double or triple up on mattresses as they are thin. Gated place with two guard dogs, the one that looks like a blue heeler is Scooby and the other skinny one is Caesar (pronounced Kaiser). 2 A/C units per dorm. Found a couple cockroaches one night. Lodging $3/person. 2 swimming pools, basketball court, playground. Bring a clothesline. Giant kitchen but few utensils, 2 refrigerators. Propane runs out quick.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Catacamas, Honduras What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
We cooked breakfast and dinner on our own, and some of us opted for the school lunches which were good but typically small portions. We had $4 a day and they charged us $2 for lunch so some opted to make their own lunch. The lunch ladies also cooked us tortillas con quesillo (highly recommend) for 10 Limpiras or Baleadas for 10 Limpiras (50 cents). Whenever we needed more groceries our host would take us into town.
We ate lunch with the kids at the school – we had enough in the budget to do so and it was logistically better. 15 lempiras. We cooked breakfast and dinner for ourselves unless people invited us out – which they did a lot. Helados Queen is the baleada place of choice – eat them. All of them. And you can also get chocobananos there with Oreos. Food budget $4/person.
Transportation
Transportation in Catacamas, Honduras What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
Pastor Nelson or other church members drove us around. Didn’t charge us for local transport. We also used taxis to get in and out of town when we wanted which was typically more expensive (around 4-5$ per person round trip).
Used Ticabus from Guatemala through El Salvador to Honduras. $3 Tourist visa to enter the country required. Just used Pastor and contacts to move throughout Catacamas.
Medical
Medical in Catacamas, Honduras Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
Comment
Communication
Communication in Catacamas, Honduras Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
We got our SIM’s at the mall in Tegucigalpa – used Tigo. 100L w/o minutes. Here, I would ask the pastor where to get them.
Financial
Financial in Catacamas, Honduras Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
Bunches of ATMs between the park and Mi Hogar grocery store. BTW- Mi Hogar is expensive. The market is cheapest if you’re not American. Cheapest grocery store and most recommended over the market – Despensa Familiar. However, it does not carry brown sugar, brown rice, or peanut butter. And don’t expect to get out of there quickly. There’s an ATM inside but it has gremlins.
Translators
Translators in Catacamas, Honduras List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Some of the teachers listed on the log speak excellent English but other than that no one else does. Pastor Nelson, and Jesús’ family (on site) do not. If you do not have Spanish speakers in your group I would arrange to have a translator.
There are some people in the church who speak English. Elyza (sp?) Lujan at the school and Ms. Amaya speak excellent English. Teresa Mejia also does.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Catacamas, Honduras What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
Forgot to add – don’t leave without going to Las Cuevas de Talgua, bring water and a headlamp. The caves are awesome.
We weren’t allowed to go anywhere without an escort for a long time, and even then we stayed in town. Cerrito de la Cruz is a pretty hike – and nothing after scaling a volcano. You can see all of Catacamas from the top. Also, the pastor’s sister’s garden called Eden is gorgeous and has a pool. Her son Tito speaks English and is very nice. And also, the retreat center is so nice, why not stay there?
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Catacamas, Honduras Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
Luis Lara – brother from the church, wife is Rosemary, very welcoming and accomodating. Make sure to foster a relationship with them.Francisco and Carmen – have a great story, directors of the Comedor/soup kitchen.Nacho and family – his wife cleans the school and he is the caretaker of the school and recreation center grounds. Meet the dogs Scooby and Caesar and the rabbit Nieve. And the unnamed cat – hope it’s still alive since I think it has worms. Nacho’s church has services every day – possible opportunity.Tito Martinez – his name is Luis but he goes by Tito. He’s awesome. Young guy with friends, took us to the hill of the cross and bought us chocobananos. Listen to his story. And his mom makes great pupusas.Florentino Ruiz – sells pineapple sticks around the corner from Nacho’s church. there are also some farmers and local children around there who are very friendly and open.There is an addict rehab center near the school that would be a good ministry opportunity.
Tips
People’s Opinions
Comment
Additional Info
Additional Info in Catacamas, Honduras Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
People’s Opinions
Monito died. 🙁
Do not wear shorts to church. If you have sensitive ears, bring earplugs to church. Drink a ton of water. If you need water or more propane or whatnot, ask Nacho the caretaker. He has a white rabbit named Nieve and a black one named Monito. Keep doors closed so the dogs will not get into the trash and get punished. If cows come into the school yard, tell Nacho and the dogs will herd them out. If you see a giant cockroach the size of your palm in the kitchen like we did, herd it out with a broom and keep the counters clean. Put the propane off when not using. EAT BALEADAS AND PUPUSAS. Anything dairy is going to be amazing since the province of Olancho is known for such. Wear a ton of sunscreen. Take malaria meds.