Frequently Asked Questions

El Arca Honduras is a nonprofit organization founded in 1977, part of the International Federation of L'Arche — a global network present in over 38 countries with more than 150 communities worldwide. We build communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together, promoting inclusion, dignity, and the recognition of each person's gifts. We currently operate 2 communities in Honduras — Tegucigalpa and Choluteca — with 11 active programs spanning inclusive education, occupational workshops, physiotherapy, family support, and personal development. Over more than 48 years of service, we have transformed the lives of over 100 people and welcomed more than 250 volunteers from 14 countries. You can learn more about our story in the About Us section.

El Arca Honduras was founded in 1977, making us one of the oldest L'Arche communities in Latin America. We have over 48 years of continuous service, building communities of inclusion in Honduras. In 1977, the first home and occupational workshops opened in Tegucigalpa, and the Choluteca community was established later. Over nearly five decades, we have developed 11 active programs, welcomed more than 250 volunteers from 14 countries, and transformed the lives of over 100 people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Our track record is backed by the International Federation of L'Arche, present in more than 38 countries with over 150 communities. Learn more about our history in the About Us section.

We have two active communities in Honduras: one in Tegucigalpa (the capital) and another in Choluteca (southern region). The Tegucigalpa community was the first, founded in 1977, and houses the Arca Emmanuel Workshop where occupational workshops, the sublimation studio, and educational programs operate. The Choluteca community extends our mission to the south with family support programs and inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives. Each community is a home where members with and without intellectual disabilities share daily life, all 11 programs, and celebrations. Between both communities we have transformed over 100 lives and sensitized more than 8,500 students. You can see exact locations and contact details in the Communities section.

We welcome national and international volunteers year-round. Throughout our history, more than 250 volunteers from 14 countries have shared their time and gifts with our community. The volunteering experience includes living in community, participating in our 11 active programs — from occupational workshops and cooking to physiotherapy and educational outreach — and sharing daily life with our members. Stays can be short or long-term, and no prior experience is required, just a willingness to learn and share. We also offer community service and professional internship opportunities for university students. You can contact us through the form on our contact page or email us at info@elarcadehonduras.org.

You can donate via bank transfer to our BAC Credomatic accounts under the name El Arca de Honduras. We have separate accounts for each community: one for Tegucigalpa and another for Choluteca. Full account details are available in the Donations section of our website. We also accept in-kind donations such as groceries, non-perishable food, medical supplies, medications, raw materials for workshops, and hygiene and cleaning products. With over 48 years of service, every contribution strengthens our 11 active programs and directly supports more than 100 people with intellectual disabilities across our 2 communities. Your generosity transforms lives in a concrete and measurable way.

We offer 11 programs organized into four areas: Inclusive Education (Social Education Program which has sensitized over 8,500 students, Inclusive Entrepreneurship, and Cooking Together which has trained more than 120 people since 2015), Family Support (Family Program and Families Sowing Opportunities in rural areas), Workshops and Home (Occupational Workshops, Home Life, Integral Physiotherapy, and Limitless Creativity), and Personal Development (Self-Esteem and Personal Development, and Building Champions in inclusive sports). All programs run across our 2 communities in Tegucigalpa and Choluteca with the participation of more than 250 volunteers from 14 countries. Learn about each program in detail in the Programs section.

El Arca Honduras is a member of the International Federation of L'Arche, a global network founded in 1964 by Jean Vanier in Trosly-Breuil, France. Today L'Arche is present in more than 38 countries with over 150 communities across five continents. Our community in Honduras was founded in 1977, making it one of the first established in Latin America. As federation members, we share the same identity charter and core values: recognizing the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities through relationships of mutual transformation. This membership allows us to receive international volunteers — so far more than 250 from 14 countries — and exchange best practices with other L'Arche communities worldwide. Learn more in the About Us section.

Yes, we welcome community service students and professional interns in multiple areas: psychology, social work, education, physiotherapy, law, administration, engineering, and more. All academic backgrounds are welcome, as our 11 programs span from occupational workshops and cooking to educational outreach and family support. The experience is unique: living in a L'Arche community provides hands-on learning in inclusion and human rights that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Many of our more than 250 volunteers started as interns and chose to stay. Internship periods are adapted to each university's requirements. Contact us through the form on the contact page or write to info@elarcadehonduras.org to learn about requirements and availability.

El Arca Honduras is funded through a combination of sources. We receive cash and in-kind donations from individuals, businesses, and partner organizations, channeled through BAC Credomatic accounts for each community (Tegucigalpa and Choluteca). Additionally, we generate our own income: our sublimation studio contributes approximately 22% of our operating revenue, and we also offer furniture rental for events, handcrafted products, and hand-painted art. The International Federation of L'Arche provides institutional support. We also receive assistance through partnerships with businesses and international cooperation agencies. Every donation, no matter how small, directly impacts the 11 programs that benefit over 100 people. Visit the Donations section for details on how to contribute.

At El Arca we offer products and services made by our members in the occupational workshops. Our sublimation studio — which generates 22% of our revenue — produces personalized mugs, t-shirts, and promotional items with professional quality, decorated with the art of our core members. We also sell handcrafted items, pinatas, loom weavings, and handmade goods, as well as decorative stained glass and hand-painted artistic boards. Additionally, we offer chair and table rental for events in Choluteca and awareness sessions for schools and businesses, which have already reached more than 8,500 students. Every purchase is an investment in social justice that creates employment and inclusion. Visit the Products and Services section or contact us to place your order.

A typical day at El Arca begins with home life: our core members share breakfast and household tasks in a family setting. In the morning, occupational workshops take place — sublimation, crafts, pinata-making, painting, weaving — along with physiotherapy sessions. At midday, the community shares lunch together, a central moment of connection. In the afternoon, inclusive education programs continue, along with self-esteem and personal development sessions, Building Champions sports activities, and Cooking Together workshops. Volunteers and assistants participate in all activities alongside members with disabilities. The day closes with a time of prayer or group reflection. Each day reflects our three pillars: transformative relationships, dignity, and spirituality. Learn more in the Community Life section.