Long Way Home

Introduction

Long Way Home is situated in the community of Comalapa in Guatemala. After having set up a recreational community park, we are building a new school utilizing alternative construction methods such as rammed-earth, old tires, plastic and glass bottles. The school will offer the community opportunities to continue their schooling and to train in a number of vocations. This project incorporates our organizational mission to break the cycle of poverty and to construct sustainable educational and recreational spaces, demonstrating responsible resource management and empowering communities to innovate.

Long Way Home built its first project, Parque Chimiyá in 2005. The park is a beautiful and safe place where children, families, individuals or groups can come for educational, recreational and sports activities.

Since 2009, work has focused on the expansion and construction of the Tecnico Maya Vocational School.

In January 2012, the first classroom opened for 4th and 5th grade students.The official opening will be in January 2014.

In 2011, Long Way Home was named the Small Charity of the Year by StayClassy, an online Social Fundraising platform sponsoring the largest philanthropic awards event in the United States.

Types of Projects

Volunteers or groups can work in alternative construction at the school site, teach English and environmental education to elementary children, help with organic gardening and work in NGO management.

Locations

We are located in San Juan Comalapa, an indigenous town in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Comalapa sits at about 7,000 feet above sea level and is about 1 1/2 hours from both the capital and Antigua, and 2-3 hours from Lake Atitlan. The population of 41,000 is more than 95% indigenous Mayan Kaq’chikel. Even though the Kaq’chikel language is spoken as a first language in many homes, almost everyone in Comalapa speaks Spanish.

Timeline

One week or longer

Accommodations

Volunteers can choose to stay either at our volunteer house located in the community park, at our affiliated hotel in town or with a host family.

Prerequisites

We are looking for volunteers of all ages who are truly ready to work hard for a project that they believe in. We need volunteers who are willing to step out of their comfort zones in order to help our project continue to grow and be successful. A high level of Spanish is not required, but a willingness to learn and to communicate with our community and fellow workers is expected.

Costs

Our Volunteer Program ranges from $75 to $95 a week. This covers your full accommodation and volunteer training. Usually volunteers buy and eat their food communally and it runs approx. $8 a week.

To Apply

For more information and to apply please visit our homepage or send an email to our volunteer coordinator: www.longwayhomeinc.org volunteer@longwayhomeinc.org