- Guatemala
About Program
Are you looking to contribute to a radically green development project? Long Way Home is transforming rubbish into a school campus in the western Highlands of Guatemala. Using alternative methods and materials, we are empowering the youth of this community, the majority of whom are Kaqchikel Maya, to be the architects of their own futures.
We practice several methods of alternative construction including earth-rammed tires, earthbags, trash bottles, and bamboo! We also boast a rainwater catchment system with the capacity to store 45,000 gallons of water. As a volunteer, you will join our local construction crew and other volunteers who participate in the construction of the school. We accept volunteers of all skills and experience levels! It is important to have a good attitude, be a team player, and be motivated to make a change!
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Access to an off-the-beaten track rural location in the western highlands,an indigenous Mayan Kaqchiquel community.
- Engage with an innovative solution to a global challenge - Green Construction.
- Cultural immersion - options for classes in weaving, Spanish/Kachikel, tortilla making, and more!
- Recommendations for weekend trips to popular destinations in Guatemala.
- A town full of tradition, culture and art, Comalapa the Florence of America where more than 1000 painters live.
Program Impact
178 students attend Hero School. We employ 25 dedicated teachers. We partner with Engineers without Borders which means we are involved in delivering water to entire villages. We build at least 10 floors per month for families otherwise living on dirt floors. The students at our school build improved stoves, water tanks, compost latrines, retaining walls, and soon homes for the most economically challenged members of our community. We have green-built health clinics, orphanages, homes, and schools on three continents, and counting. Soon we will distribute the Hero School curriculum and lesson plans to teachers all over the world.
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Questions & Answers
Location
If you want to spend a trip chasing waterfalls, meandering through lush jungles, and seeing world heritage sites; Guatemala should be high on your list. Guatemala can be easy to overlook when there are more travelled destinations in the area, but don't be fooled, this country is filled with incredible landscapes and culture, all at a great price.
