Volunteering Abroad Shouldn't Cost the Earth

Sustainable Construction in Guatemalan Highlands Guatemala

 

Description

We provide dynamic, place-based, and experiential educational opportunities to learn green-building design and construction methodologies. We are currently building an 18-buildings green school campus, the Centro Educativo Tecnico Chixot (CETC), in an indigenous Mayan town in the western highlands of Guatemala using alternative construction techniques. To date, we have used over 1.000 tons of trash, including 16. 000 tires in our construction projects. LWH runs the Hero School, which goal is to provide an innovative space for educators to empower students to lead their community. Through the unique curriculum, students are made aware of environmentally friendly solutions to climate related challenges and therefore learn how be the architects of their own futures. CETC offers primary, middle and high school education. We have currently 144 students enrolled in grades K-11.


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.


Reviews

There are no reviews to display


Apply now

Members only content - Register or Login

Web links / Other ways to help

If you visit and apply via the website please mention that you saw this project on volunteerlatinamerica.com.