History of ACTS

An all-volunteer organization

ACTS is a nonprofit tax-exempt 501©3, non-sectarian organization. Hundreds of volunteers have contributed thousands of hours over the past decades to this undertaking. Although many of the active members now reside in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, other participants are scattered through New England and beyond. ACTS is governed and sustained by volunteers. Teams travel to Honduras approximately five times a year, but never for more than two weeks, to help to move the projects along.

The beginnings

Our history began in 1986, during a time of war and turmoil in much of Central America. The first volunteers calling themselves Americans Caring Teaching and Sharing (ACTS) was based in Franconia NH and organized by the Franconia Congregational Church. Their goal was to promote peace and justice through community development as well as to share information about their faith. Their attention was focused on the community of El Rosario located in the Locomapa region of Yoro, a department in northwestern Honduras. After a few years, the faith-based volunteer group moved on to another part of Honduras using the new name Honduras Hope. ACTS became wholly non-sectarian and recommitted to community development in El Rosario and surrounding farming communities.

Broad community development

ACTS’ focus is community development, which we define as helping people to make their own communities stronger. This includes health care, education, agricultural practices, coping with climate change, teen leadership development, economic diversification, expanded opportunities in elementary and secondary education, water systems, and sanitation. Every area of interest and project involves local people working with ACTS volunteers. 

Residents identify priorities, lead projects, and organize work crews from the communities. ACTS is known for its ability to pivot and respond quickly to fraught situations caused by weather disasters including hurricanes and public health emergencies such as the pandemic.

ACTS provides a diversity of skills, guidance, material resources, and some professional-level hands on involvement. The result has been a remarkably sustainable example of community development.

Our funding and partners

When we need help, we reach out to partners who bring expertise, opportunities, funding, or needed materials. More and more, we are partnering with Honduran organizations to leverage in-country expertise and opportunities. And when they need help, we respond quickly.

Partners in Honduras

La Liga Contra el Cancer treatment center for cancer

ICF organization in Yoro Honduras supplier of saplings for reforestation

SAT agency for school development and curriculum in Honduras

COSECHA agricultural training program

PESCA cancer screening outreach program

Yoro Public Hospital

Catholic University (UNICAH) in San Pedro Sula

Partners in the United States

The Byrne Foundation

Rotary Club of Hanover New Hampshire

The Children’s Initiative educational foundation

Engineers Without Borders

Dartmouth Cancer Center (formerly Norris Cotton Cancer Center)

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Department of Pathology at Dartmouth

Coverys Community Foundation

Zondervan Foundation

Margot Krasnoff Fund

Academy of Dentistry International

Lyme Bargain Barn

United Church of Dorset Vermont