FOR MANY, THE FIRST TRIP IS THE BEGINNING OF A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.
Love & Hope Children's Home has been blessed by many visitors, teams and volunteers over the years. We've seen people pour their hearts out to the kids in our home, the people in the community and the country of El Salvador. We've watched as walls were built, teeth were cleaned, games were played and friendships formed. We wouldn't be where we are today without the love and support of so many people who gave of their time and decided to make a difference in El Salvador.
This year we are assembling a number of teams that provide the opportunity to serve and connect. We invite you to join on one of these teams, or contact us about putting together a team especially for you and your group.
by email: contact@loveandhopechildrenshome.com
by phone: 440-471-1021
What can you expect when serving at Love and Hope? Plenty. Love & Hope missions aren't just about playing with kids; they're about giving of yourself to the Salvadoran people.
While at Love & Hope you will have opportunity to:
There's also plenty of ways to experience the local culture:
Worried about safety? Love & Hope is housed in a beautiful 8,000 sq. foot home on secured grounds. Everyone, including staff, must enter through the front gate, which is manned 24 hours a day by security personnel.
Wondering how you will get around? Not to worry. Love & Hope maintains a number of vehicles and several drivers skilled at navigating the Salvadoran roads. For larger groups, we are able to rent additional transportation.
You'll be fed plenty. No volunteer or child goes hungry at Love & Hope. We have a full-time cook that prepares three meals a day. If you need a snack, there’s a small store just a five minute walk down the road.
We'll pick you up. Your mission team will be picked up at the airport by the Love & Hope staff.
We have a bed for you. You will be housed in dormitory-style quarters inside the Love & Hope grounds which are separate from the children's living quarters.
Don't speak Spanish? ¡No problema! Love & Hope has a number of English-speaking staff, including American missionaries. Additionally, all the kids learn English at school. And if you want to improve your Spanish, there's plenty of opportunity to do that as well.
The Youth Team has been a staple of Love & Hope for many years. One of the team's main events is the yearly Youth Retreat: a three-day marathon of physical, emotional and spiritual challenges that brings American and Salvadoran youth together for a weekend of competition and growth. The Youth Team will also tackle small construction projects at Love & Hope, in the houses of our kid's families, and with our friends at other ministries. The team also organizes a VBS at a nearby community of displaced families, and a "Love & Hope Day" at the beach for all the children in our home. Additionally, we will take a day to see some local sites and visit the market.
Cost: $800 (excluding airfare)
Application Due: 5/1/2012
Payment Due: 6/1/2012
If you want to dig something, build something or install something; this is the team for you. The Work Team will be focused on improving the living conditions for many of our children's families as well as working on a solar lighting project in the local Platanillo Community. It's an excellent opportunity to strengthen your body and soul. Construction expertise is not required, but is a plus. Between projects there will still be plenty of time to hang out with our kids, help with homework, play at the park, and eat a few pupusas. And after a week of hard work, we'll be sure to spend a day seeing a few of the sites downtown and do a little shopping in the market.
Cost: $900 (excluding airfare)
Application Due: 4/23/2012
Payment Due: 5/23/2012
The care team will work on improving the facilities of Love & Hope and also improving the lives of some of our children's parents. This will involve painting, cleaning and some light decorating. We want to build fun, positive environments for our children. This team will also work on building and decorating lap desks for Sunday School in the Platanillo Community. We'll also spend a day seeing the city, shopping at the market and viewing the San Salvador volcano.
Cost: $700 (excluding airfare)
Application Due: 4/16/2012
Payment Due: 5/16/2012
If your church or organization is interested in international mission work, but you don't know where to start, the Vision Team is designed to introduce you to the country of El Salvador, and the opportunities to serve through Love & Hope. We'll tour the Love & Hope facilities and the schools our children attend, serve a meal at the Platanillo community where Love & Hope runs an outreach program, and visit a transition home for teens and young adults. We'll also visit with friends and missionaries in other ministries that are working in El Salvador. There will be plenty of time to discuss and digest the problems El Salvador is facing and the ways Love & Hope and other ministries are trying to make a difference. We'll also tour downtown San Salvador, visit the cathedrals, and drop by the market for a little shopping. You'll go home with a deep understanding of El Salvador and a clear picture of how your community can get involved. This team is recommended for pastors, mission directors, youth pastors, and other group or community leaders.
Cost: $400 (excluding airfare)
Application Due: Rolling
Payment Due: 30 days before departure
If your church or organization is already interested in international missions and would like to form your own team, we'd be happy to help you. Your itinerary will be customized to match your time frame, interests and budget by the Love & Hope mission team staff. We can accommodate teams of up to 12 people, and can assist you in all stages of the planning process. Please contact us via email at contact@loveandhopechildrenshome.com for more information on how to get started.
If you are a medical professional and are interested in organizing a team to serve in El Salvador, please contact us. We'd love to help you use your expertise to address the medical needs of the people of El Salvador. In the past we have hosted dental teams, general medicine teams, and audiology teams. Please contact us via email at contact@loveandhopechildrenshome.com for more information on how to get started.