Get Involved - Make it a Working Vacation and Volunteer at One or More of the Island Projects

• Financial - For a tax deductible donation, use the “Donate Now” button. You can also send a check made out to Island Friends Corporation, SA. Address it to Judith Allred, 7110 Poniente Lane, San Antonio, TX 78209. (Federal Tax ID #20-8533416.) Please always indicate the organization to which you are donating. If on Roatan, take donations to the project you are supporting.
  
  
  
• Volunteering - If you live on Roatan full or part time, visit once or regularly on a vacation, and want to volunteer, provide technical skills, professional expertise, or financial assistance, contact one of the below projects. In addition, you can let Island Friends know of your interest, talents and wishes to help and we will direct you. Contact us, Island Friends, through this website at: islandfriendsroatan@yahoo.com


• Resources - The need for material goods is every-present. Please contact a project of your choosing for what they need, click on the project wish list at the bottom of the home page or contact Island Friends and let us know what you wish to bring, and we can also advise you. islandfriendsroatan@yahoo.com

Some of the Projects on Roatan

• Roatan Daycare Center - a nurturing, learning, and safe center for parents/guardians to leave their child while they work full-time. It's open 5 days a week, 8am - 5pm, serving the children breakfast and lunch and 2 snack times. The emphasis is on learning, good nutrition and health, and safe, fun play. Volunteers are encouraged to provide the children with new experiences or to reinforce or add to those they are learning in the center.
  Contacts: www.Roatan-Daycare.com Judith Allred - judithall@hotmail.com Linda Hin - LindaHin@gmail.com Kim Dueffert - kiminminn07@yahoo.com
  
  

• Clinica Esperanza - Clinica Esperanza is above all a clinic of and for the people of the Bay Island. From the apartment beneath her home - to donated space in the Son Rise Calvary Church in Sandy Bay, Peggy Stranges has been building Clínica Esperanza, otherwise known as "Hospital Ms. Peggy." Together, with Honduran physician Raymond Cherington, M.D. and Arizona-based physician Patrick Connell, M.D., and through the generous support from Roatán's community leaders and worldwide donations, Ms. Peggy has realized her dream of building a first class freestanding hospital.
  The donors need to write Peggy or "Clinica Esperanza" in the memo line.
  Contact: www.clinicaesperanza.org/ pstranges@clinicaesperanza.com
  
  
  
• Partners in Education on Roatan - Our mission is to foster quality bilingual education on Roatan in order to prepare students to become part of the island's changing economy. Cam O'Brien and her 12-member Board advocate at the local and national level, partner with the school district, and operate educational programs. PIER's E-Learning Centers are free to the community and provide individualized computer-based bilingual reading and math tutoring. Plans are underway for a vocational center which will include a trade school with child care and job placement support. Short and long-term volunteer placements are available. Placements include working directly with kids and adults, assisting a teacher, conducting a workshop, working with marketing projects. College students are invited to work with the project for research papers. To join, write to our email address www.PierRoatan.org or PartnersInEducationRoatan@yahoo.com
  
  
  

• Mentoring and Supporting Opportunities for Higher Education - This multi-faceted group encourages, then mentors, counsels, provides information and help with SAT & ACT tests, and information, procedures and expertise in applying for a college education. To inquire, add your talent, or to help with a scholarship…Contact: Charles George: c.george@vegaselectric.net
  
  
• Familias Saludables is a non-profit, non-denominational organization devoted to fighting the AIDS epidemic on Roatan. Our major focus is on reducing the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of the virus both at birth and via breast milk. We run testing clinics for pregnant women, assign trained home visitors for mothers living with HIV/AIDS, provide education to the public, provide palliative training services and, when available, we provide infant formula, medications, and a host of supplies to support families struggling to cope with this disease.  In the future we hope to eradicate pediatric aids. All of our services are free of charge and our staff consists solely of volunteers, both local and international. Founded in 2001 by hard-working Valerie Nelson, they depend almost entirely on donations. They extend their heartfelt gratitude for any help you can provide. Contact Valerie: vlnelson113@yahoo.com
  
  
• Island to Island Midwife Program - Bernadette Ebanks, a dedicated US trained midwife, cares for pregnant women, provides pre-natal health care, birthing classes and post-natal follow-ups. To support this all-important effort of Berna's with the island women: roatanmidwife@yahoo.com
  
  
• SOL International Foundation -Through the support of grants, initiatives and fundraisers we are committed to enhancing the standards of education, arts and athletics in lesser developed areas. Sol is capturing the needs of the children by supporting and establishing sports programs, providing scholarships, and by teaching mentoring, English and art classes.. To participate: www.solif.org brandon@solif.org
  
  
  
  
• Non-profit Roatan Children's Fund is committed to advancing education and providing relief to poor, distressed and underprivileged children living in Roatan, Honduras. During 2010 they are committed to buying and operating a Bookmobile, which for children in remote areas may be their first direct access to books. www.roatanchildrensfund.com lynne@roatanchildrensfund.com
  
  
  
• Free Wheelchair Mission (future project) - read about this gift of mobility to the physically disabled: www.freewheelchairmission.org
  
  
• Roatan Marine Park - The RMP runs a broad range of activities to protect Roatan’s natural resources, including patrols and infrastructure, education, conservation and public awareness. At present, the RMP, together with the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA), co-manages the Reserve, which is a nationally recognized marine protected area located along the northwest coast of Roatan. The ICF is the governmental institution responsible for the administration of all Honduran protected areas. www.roatanmarinepark.com nic.bach@roatanmarinepark.net



• Steel Pan Alley - Steel Pan Alley offers you the unique opportunity to experience the music of the islands up close and personal. Observe a music class with the children of the island or experience the steel pans yourself! www.steelpanalley.com steelpandeb@gmail.com