Montaña de Luz

Montaña de Luz is not only the location of ECOS's first international trip, but also a home for children. These children receive care and attention for AIDS/HIV, an education, and a loving and supportive environment to grow up in. Beginning in the spring of 2005 several members of ECOS visited here to help install computers and improve their living conditions.

Project Reports
As ECOS completes their work at the orphanage, they complete project reports which will be evaluated by staff and faculty, as well as the advisory board, and leaders in the communities in both Columbus and Honduras. A wiki has been created to house the information in these reports in a more concise format. This wiki is still being updated to include all past projects. It can be found here:

www.ecos4mdl.pbworks.com

The following list these reports separated by year.

    Spring 2010 Project
  • Honduras Application
  • Study Abroad Online Application
  • Supplemental Member Application

    Spring 2009 Trip Reports
  • Computer Team Report
  • Energy Team Report
  • Water Team Report

    Spring 2009 Project
  • Honduras Application
  • Study Abroad Application
  • Member Application
  • Energy Report for MdL
    Elvin Beach has begun evaluating different ways which we can reduce MdL's energy requirements and ultimately reduce their bills. This presentation summarizes these ideas and was used in a presentation to MdL leaders for possible projects.
    Spring 2008 Trip Reports
  • Communications Team Report
    The Communications Team evaluated possible oppurtunities for various Internet options at the orphanage, as well as ways for the children to have formal computer training. The team also provided support for the office computers and computer lab.
  • Team Agua Report
    The water team was concerned with the two main focuses of chlorination and arsenic removal. Three students focused their efforts on arsenic removal, while the other two focused on chlorination. This allowed the team to be more efficient for project research and design before departure, as well as project implementation on-site.
  • Playground Report
    The report evaluates two locations for playgrounds, one located within Montana de Luz and the second located in the nearby village of Nueva Esperanza. To do so, the team considered location, type of equipment to be installed and the work that would needed to be done to set up the playground.
  • Photo gallery
    Spring 2007 Trip Reports
  • Kitchen Fan Installation
    Part of the Mechanical and Electrical Teams project was to install a large fan in a kitchen at the orphanage to relieve heating issues.
  • Team Computadora Report
  • Water Quality Report - EPA P3 Competition
    Team Agua evaluated sustainable water solutions for to fix the issues with the current water supply at the orphanage and nearby village, Nuevo Paraiso.
  • Drinking Water Quality in Nueva Esperanza and Barrio Santiago
    A report on the quality of water surrounding the orphanage and ways in which to improve the quality of water. This report was sent to the water board of surrounding cities and communities.
  • Photo Gallery
    Spring 2006 Trip Reports
  • March 2006 Overall Trip Report
    Many improvements were made during the first project trip (2005) however, many more were needed. As a result of the additional needs of MdL, a second project trip was conducted. This trip report includes the progress made by student teams during the second yearly trip made to MdL.
  • Satellite Pad Report
    This documents the design and construction of the satellite pad for Montaña de Luz. The satellite pads intention is to one day support a satellite which will allow the orphanage to have an Internet connection for the children and business purposes.
  • Water Quality Report
    Details ways in which ECOS has evaluated and recommended improvements in water quality for the surrounding area.
  • Photo Gallery
    Spring 2005 Trip Reports
  • March 2005 Overall Trip Report
    ECOS conducted a successful project trip at Montaña de Luz in Honduras over Spring Break 2005. We are planning on doing another project trip at the same location during Spring Break 2006. The URL provides a trip report.
  • Water Quality Report
    This is a continuing report on the water quality in and around the orphanage.
    Fall 2004 Trip Report
  • Pre-Project Assessment
    John Merrill and Kevin Passino took a trip to Montaña de Luz in Aug. 2004 to do a preproject assessment and a service project there.

About Montaña de Luz
Montaña de Luz is a non-profit organization that is situated on top of a small mountain in south-central Honduras. Children are being nurture through this facility which works to self support its needs through an orchard, man-made Tilapia fish pond, and various onsite staff members. For more information, please visit their website at:
http://www.montanadeluz.org/


Other Resources on Honduras
U.S. Department of State's Consular Affairs
The U.S. Department of State lists entry/exit requirements (visas, passports, etc.) for Honduras. There is also a information about and a link to the U.S. embassy in Honduras.

CIA World Factbook: Honduras
The CIA World Factbook is a compilation of up-to-date facts and figures about Honduras. This is a great site for background information

Lonely Planet Travel Guide
Lonely Planet's online travel guide contains a large quantity of information about Honduras including a brief history, cultural facts, local attractions, costs, and information on travel to and within Honduras.