Honduras

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Honduras).

Honduras is located in the heart of Central America with population of over 9 million people. It’s one of the least developed countries in Central America due to its long history of corruption, poverty and crime. It’s also one of the most unequal countries in the Western Hemisphere. Nearly half of the population live below the poverty line. The government of Honduras ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. Nonetheless, many children in the country face great hardship, and are in need of protection.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Honduras since 1968.

Children are at risk

In Honduras, almost 40% of the population are children under 15. The majority of Hondurans live in rural areas such as small villages or isolated settlements. Children, young people and families living here are faced with poverty, no access to clean water and sanitation and lack of education. Half of the population has no access to clean and safe drinking water and this puts many children at risk of serious illnesses. In addition, many children have lost parental care due to the political and economic instability
79%
Of children are not proficient in reading in Honduras

High level of illiteracy

Primary education is free and compulsory in Honduras. However, children from low-income families often have to drop out of school. They are needed to work full time and support the family. Around 20% of primary school aged children are not attending school. Children that are able to attend school may be faced with issues such as poorly trained teachers that have limited access to effective teaching materials, lack of resources and local schools.

15%
Of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day in Honduras

Poverty

Honduras has the second highest poverty rate in Latin America & the Caribbean. 4.8 million Hondurans live on less than $5.50 per day and third of the population lives on just over to that amount. Poverty is felt in both rural and urban areas. However, since 2017, poverty rates have been increasing among urban households. Food insecurity is among the highest in the region. Hundreds of families can’t afford to feed themselves.

34%
Of the population in Honduras use basic sanitation services

Health

One of the leading causes of child death in Honduras is pneumonia. This illness is closely linked to malnutrition, lack of clean water, poor sanitation and limited access to quality healthcare. Gender and income levels play a part in the way people are treated. Honduras has the second lowest rate of professional healthcare coverage in Central America. A large part of healthcare fees is paid directly by the patient, meaning that many people can’t afford to go to the doctor.

Together we can make a difference for children in Honduras

100
Families
Can stay together
120
Children
Grow up in our care
220
Children and young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Children and young people require care and protection in Honduras. There is a need to ensure that they are safe from violence and poverty, and have access to health and education. We support families so that they can stay together, and send their children to school. In those cases where children can’t stay with their families, they come into our care (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Honduras).

Working together for sustainable development

In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives