Stuff Your Rucksack

Long Way Home

About the organisation

Long Way Home works with the rural San Juan Comalapa community to find solutions to environmental, waste, water and educational problems. It runs a native tree reforestation program, an ecological community park, and works with Engineers Without Borders to bring new water catchment systems, holding tanks and water pumps to impoverished villages. The charity has also initiated a recycling program in the town, where plastic bottles and old tires are used to build new structures. Currently, a new vocational school is being built.

Why stuff your rucksack?

Most people in the area live on subsistence farming, which is unable to supply them with all their basic needs. To combat this, a new education centre is being built – something the local people are visibly excited about. Rebecca from the charity says: “it's impossible to go anywhere without someone coming to tell you how beneficial it will be to Comalapa's future.” Teaching alternative ways of generating income and re-using the materials available are crucial steps towards breaking the cycle of poverty. Items provided by you will help complete this school – which will in turn provide a brighter future for these people.

How to get there

The charity is located in San Juan Comalapa, two hours west of Guatemala City. Major airlines fly regularly into the city's Aurora International Airport. From there, take a bus to Chimaltenango, then continue north to Comalapa by taxi.

Need to know

Visitors should contact Rebecca Sanchez at least 12 hours prior to arrival on the contacts above.