Abandoned, malnourished, uneducated, and starved for love, the orphaned children of these countries are incredibly vulnerable. HELP International participants bring meaningful interaction and educational stimulation. Volunteers improve the quality of life in these orphanages simply by providing much needed attention and love.

One of HELP's major orphanage projects is Hogar del Niño. Hogar is our flagship orphanage program available year-round in El Salvador. At the Hogar Del Niño orphanage, volunteers work with disabled individuals who would not receive special attention otherwise. Volunteers live at the orphanage in a self-contained house and work at least 40 hours a week. More information about Hogar del Nino can be found here.

Orphanage work is also available in all countries HELP serves in. Past projects have included constructing pigpens, chicken coupes, playgrounds, and school buildings, teaching the importance of reading, starting after-school clubs, encouraging teamwork, and talking about the danger of HIV/AIDS. This past summer alone, volunteers spent over 4,000 hours working in orphanages.

"The happiness that you are able to bring someone else is irreplaceable and it's worth every bit of the sacrifice."

-Laura Webb, 2008 Hogar del  Niño volunteer.