El Hogar welcomes service teams. The service team experience is like none other. It is an opportunity to be part of a small, focused group of people who share an interest in learning and in serving others. It is an opportunity to see a part of the world that is vastly different from our own. It is an opportunity to get a sense of how the vast majority of humankind lives. It is an opportunity to have your mind, your eyes and your heart opened. It is an opportunity to give back a small bit of the blessings we have been given. It is an opportunity to live with, and to get to know, young children whose lives are being transformed and to experience an inkling of their sorrows and their joys. It is an opportunity to grow spiritually and to see the hand of God at work in the world. A service team comes to do work, yes. But more importantly, a service team comes to be present to these children and teachers, to learn from them, and to build a relationship with them and with the work El Hogar is doing. For this reason, service teams spend significant time participating in activities that are not all work.


El Hogar Service Team Handbook
The El Hogar Service Team Handbook is available below. This new version has important information to prepare service team members going to El Hogar. Our fees are:

- Room, board and local transportation fee: $200 per person per week
- Project fee: at least $2000


Click here to download the
El Hogar Service Team Handbook - Version 9
(Word .doc)


Additional Service Team Information:

A Service Team Application Form (for all teams traveling in 2013)

“Service Team Preparation – Suggestions” a PowerPoint document



Some of the most frequently asked questions concerning service teams are answered in our FAQs below:

Q - How much does it cost to go to be part of an El Hogar Service Team?

A - The cost of traveling to El Hogar breaks down as follows:

- Room, board and local transportation fee: $200 a week per person *
- Project Expenses at least $2000 per service team as a whole *
- Airfare to Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- On site Expenses Approximately $50 per person
- Airport exit tax: approximately $35.00 per person
- Discretionary funds not more than $100 is recommended per person

* (These three items should be mailed to our Winchester office prior to the trip. All other expenses are the responsiblity of each service team member.)


Q -How large can a service team be?

A - The ideal size for a team is 12 people, but absolutely no more than 15 total.


Q - Is there a minimum age required for service team members?

A - The minimum age is 15.


Q - How long do we stay in Honduras?

A - Service teams stay for one week. Service teams staying at El Hogar need to arrive and depart on a Saturday. Service teams staying at the Farm need to arrive and depart on a Friday.


Q - Do we all have to travel together?

A - The whole team should plan to arrive in Tegucigalpa around the same time, so you can be transported as a complete team to El Hogar.

Q - How do we schedule a week at El Hogar?

Contact Margo Mingay at El Hogar Ministries at 416-696-7682 or mmingay@elhogar.org.

Q - What time of year do service teams go to El Hogar?

Service teams can visit El Hogar from February through October.

Q - Where do service teams stay during their visit?

El Hogar provides service teams housing in a volunteer houses located on either the elementary campus or farm campus. Volunteer houses have bedrooms, bathrooms a kitchen and living room. The accomodations are basic, yet comfortable.


Q - Do we have to speak Spanish?

Someone on your team needs to speak at least conversational Spanish. It is not necessary for everyone to speak Spanish, but service teams are encouraged to prepare by learning some basic Spanish phrases. For service teams staying at our Agricultural School and Farm, it is necessary to have at least one very strong Spanish speaker.

Q - How do we get from the airport to El Hogar?

You will be met at the airport by the service team host, Raul Castro. He will help you change money, and will drive you in a van or bus to El Hogar.

Q - What kind of work does a service team do?

A - Service teams come to El Hogar to offer service to the project. This can come in many forms. Primarily, teams are involved with projects requiring manual labor, such as painting or doing construction. No training is necessary for these projects. Some teams offer other specialized services such as dental and health care, or teacher training. All teams are highly encouraged to interact with the children of El Hogar as much as possible. When teams are not working, they spend time playing with the children– soccer, basketball, marbles, cards, drawing, reading and just talking. Service teams also spend time visiting some of the neighborhoods and homes that our children come from. Teams sometimes visit areas in or near Tegucigalpa, the capital city where El Hogar is located.

Q - Do we need to bring tools for our project?

No. Tools will be provided. It is advised to bring work gloves, work boots, safety glasses and potentially ear plugs. Bring work clothes that you don't mind getting dirty!

Q - What is the weather like?

The weather is generally around 70 during the day and 50 at night. It’s a bit hotter during the summer months and a bit cooler during the winter. It is rarely extremely hot and humid in Tegucigalpa because it is situated in the mountains.

Q - Can we bring gifts for the children?

Yes, but with some caveats:
We ask service teams to not give things directly to the children, but instead to bring them to the Director. Because the children live in community, like a family, it is essential for the staff to treat them with fairness and equality. They take great care to not set up situations where some children feel left out or unfairly deprived of something. El Hogar is trying to teach them that their needs will be taken care of. Unequal or unfair distribution of gifts interferes with this lesson. Likewise, sometimes children are being disciplined for something, and they should not be receiving treats.

Q - I (or my church) sponsor a child. Can I bring them a gift?

If a sponsor or other service team member wants to bring something special for a child, please make it something that is shareable. El Hogar does not give the children personal belongings. Yet, they have everything they need. The children particularly like to receive letters and photos from their sponsors. Having you visit them is the best gift you can bring.

Q - Can we bring supplies that El Hogar needs?

Many service teams like to bring supplies for El Hogar with them, such as clothing and school supplies. This is very welcome and appreciated. To learn what items are currently needed at El Hogar, please contact Margo Mingay, at mmingay@elhogar.org.

Q - When do I have to send my funds to El Hogar Ministries?
Please send them 4-6 weeks prior to your trip. At the same time, send the Arrival and Roster Form via email to Margo Mingay at mmingay@elhogar.org. .

Q - Is it safe?

There is some risk associated with travel to a developing country, but El Hogar takes many precautions to keep service teams safe. The primary source of danger is from crimes of theft or personal injury. The government is stable. Detailed guidelines for safety can be found in the Service Team Handbook. It is important for everyone to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of the whole team.

Q - How far in advance should we sign up for a service team?

A - Our service team program has become very popular over the past few years and time slots fill up quickly. If there is a certain time you are interested in going we advise contacting El Hogar as early as possible. Contact us by phone at 416-696-7682 or email us atmmingay@elhogar.org.

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