Sustainable Construction in Guatemalan Highlands Guatemala
Description
Our mission is to use sustainable design to construct self-sufficient buildings that promote education, employment, and environmental stewardship. We've used more than 400 tons of trash and over 15500 tires in our construction so far. We aim to end the cycle of poverty through innovation that is relevant to the context. We practice several methods of alternative construction including earth rammed tires, earthbags, trash bottles, and aluminum! 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 that participate in the construction of the school. Most of the campus is finished and operating a school of grades K-11 with 150 students and 35 local staff, while we continue construction. In Guatemala, there is a dry season (Nov-April) and a rainy season (May-Oct), and we work throughout the whole year. We accept volunteers of all skills and experience levels! It is important to have a good attitude, team player, motivation to help out, and be flexible. Must be able to walk up and down hills at high elevation (7,000 ft). On-site we have a communal kitchen. All the water we collect from rainwater, some of which is filtered for drinking water on-site and at the volunteer house.
Details
Organisation:
Long Way Home
Location:
San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango
Qualifications/Skills:
None required / speaking Spanish, alternative construction, youth development, education, or non-profit experience are all skills you can bring to the table or develop with us.
Dates of program:
Year round
Duration of program:
1 week to 3 months
Age requirement:
Adults of both sexes 18+ (children accepted if accompanied by parents or in a chaperoned group with parental permission given)
Cost:
US$85 per week which includes a bed in our communal volunteer house, fresh bedding every two weeks, kitchen staples (drinking water, propane, cooking oil, salt, sugar, etc.), and on-site training. Approximately 50% of your payment goes directly toward project expenses including construction materials and labour. Homestay options are available for US$100 per week or the option of a local family owned hotel is available for US$130 per week (this option is not available for the moment due to Covid).
Other information:
The rainy season is mid–May to mid–October and construction tasks can vary depending on the weather. There are many hiking areas in Comalapa, and we can offer different types of activities to do here during your free time. Painting, Spanish and cooking class, horse and coffee tours are available. There are many areas to visit in Guatemala as well, including Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Tecpan and Tikal. We can help you book weekend excursions as well.
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