Please understand that there is not really a 'typical day' that will accurately capture your experience.  What you do on a daily basis will depend on which project you decide to be a part of and how you wish to spend your time. However, this will give you a better idea of what may happen while you are in-country.

7:00 a.m
Rise and shine!  This may sound early, but in most of these countries, by the time you are crawling out of bed, the streets are full of day laborers on their way to work. Jump into the shower which is always nice and refreshing.

Some people get up early to go running. You can't beat the scenery.

8:00 a.m.
The volunteers' eating arrangements vary from year to year.  Usually, the volunteers opted to make a simple breakfast at home, such as fruit and yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, etc.  Volunteers can also buy things to take on the road with them, such as granola/fruit bars. You can buy also buy something from a bakery or market on your way to a project.

9:00 a.m.
After breakfast, you will either walk to your project (if it's somewhere in town), or get on a local "chicken bus".  For some projects, you walk to the partner org, and they arrange transportation (usually the back of a pick-up, which is fun, if a bit bumpy!)  Chicken buses are a great experience-they are nothing more than colorfully painted, retired, U.S. school buses   You will undoubtedly get crammed in like a sardine. Its a great chance to get to know people  The trip to your morning project will generally take from thirty minutes to an hour and a half.

12:00 p.m.
Nearly all of the volunteers will eat lunch out in the village where you are working. Almost always, local villagers will have prepared lunch for the volunteers.  In these cases your lunch will generally consist of beans, rice, tortillas, and some piece of meat or eggs. If not, the partner organization will let you know beforehand so you can pack a lunch, or there will always be something around that the volunteers can buy to eat.  Be sure to bring your own water and have it with you always!  After lunch, you will generally continue working on your project until 4:00 or 5:00 unless you have an evening class to teach or if transportation requires you to leave earlier to make it home.

5:00 p.m.
After returning home, volunteers will sometimes teach English classes in the evening.  These classes are often taught fairly close to the volunteer home so that night travel can be avoided.  Classes are often taught at churches, local libraries, or in the offices of our partners.

7:00 p.m.
You will have a cook for dinner.  Dinner will generally consist of a pasta dish, or rice, beans, and some meat.  Often soda pop or a juice drink is provided as well.  Dinner and breakfast are the only two meals that are eaten at the same place consistently.  Depending on the projects, volunteers may arrive at home at different hours and you may eat all together or in shifts.

9:00 p.m.
Evening activities include washing laundry by hand, preparing for upcoming classes and/or projects, visiting with other members of a project team, or writing reports to the HELP International headquarters.  Many volunteers take this opportunity to read, write in journals, or simply rest and relax with each other after an incredible day of working hard.  Volunteers often spend their evenings laughing, telling stories, playing games, and recounting adventures from the day.