Who are the people?
Approximately 90 percent of the population in Honduras is mestizo, of mixed Indian and European ancestry. Spanish is the official language and is spoken by most Hondurans.

The country is made up almost entirely of mountain terrain. Nearly three-quarters of the inhabitants live in mountain valleys, with 40 percent in urban areas and 60 percent in rural settings.

More than half of the population depends on agriculture as a livelihood. Approximately 20 percent is employed in service industries. Manufacturing and construction also offer job opportunities.

Many farmers can grow only enough food for their families, leaving them without produce to sell. These peasant laborers sometimes decide to move to a city environment. Sadly, hardships—including poverty—often await them there.

Lack of income causes some young people to turn to prostitution or drugs. Fortunately, sponsorship can help provide an alternative to those choices. With an education, children can obtain the knowledge and skills they need to build a better life for themselves and grow to become confident, capable adults.
Approximately 90 percent of the population in Honduras is mestizo, of mixed Indian and European anc

Country Comparison	Honduras	United States
Population	7 million	295.4 million
Land Mass	43,201 sq. miles	3,537,439 sq. miles
Life Expectancy	68.8 years	78 years
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000)	31	7
Literacy Rate	80%	97%
Primary School Enrollment	87%	92%
Access to Safe Water	90%	100%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)	$1,030	$41,400

Religion

What is it like to live there?
The Central American country of Honduras is bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It has coastline on the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean Sea. Most of the interior is volcanic plateau, although there are no volcanoes in the mainland. The terrain is rugged, with deep valleys and fertile plains. One of the country’s most significant natural resources is its forest land. However, a loss of trees has caused severe soil erosion in some areas.

The climate along the coastal plains is semitropical, but temperatures are cooler in the mountains. The dry season (November to April) is sunny and hot. During the rainy season (May to October), some leave their homes because of the threat of flooding.

The rough terrain in Honduras has limited the development of a transportation network, keeping much of the rural population isolated. For this and other reasons, non-urban areas and even some cities lack schools, water and power systems, health care, and adequate housing.

Honduras is at risk for natural disasters during tropical storm seasons, when hurricanes threaten the land and people. In the fall of 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused widespread, devastating damage to Honduras. World Vision responded with emergency relief and continues today to help the country recover.
The Central American country of Honduras is bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It h
Honduras Projects
With the support of generous donors like you, World Vision is partnering with families throughout Honduras to build brighter futures filled with hope for their children.

Many activities are under way to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.

Overall program goals include:

• Conducting immunization campaigns to protect children from deadly diseases.
• Offering health check-ups for children.
• Providing families with clean, safe water for drinking and cooking.
• Teaching mothers about the importance of proper sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition.
• Introducing farmers to new agricultural techniques that will help increase food production and offer better nutrition for their children.
• Helping families establish small businesses that will increase their income and help raise their standard of living.
• Supporting Bible study groups.
• Providing the poorest families with financial assistance to construct new homes so their children will have safe, adequate shelter.

• Pray that your sponsored child might be open to God’s love and grace.
• Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities.
• Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.

Please click here to peruse online picture folders of children from this country.