History

Long Way Home was founded in 2004 when Mateo Paneitz finished his Peace Corps service and decided his work in the small town of San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala was not done. He brought together a group of dedicated activists who were interested in helping this community change their future. Mateo's goal was to address two primary issues, the lack of appropriate waste management strategies and the lack of educational and employment opportunities for youth. His team came up with a unique solution that would tackle both issues simultaneously: build a primary and vocational facility out of waste materials!

• Selected as one of three finalists in the BBC World Challenge Competition on November 17, 2010
• Completed Parque Chimiya on July 31, 2010
• Won 2nd place in the Juan Bautista Gutierrez Foundation project competition on August 19, 2009
• Laid first course of tires for the foundation of the vocational classrooms on May 17, 2009
• Broke ground on the new Escuela Tecnico Maya on January 1, 2009
• Started our collaboration with Escuela Tecnico Maya in March 2005
• Arrived in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala on February 1, 2005 and began construction of Parque Chimiya
• Received 501(c)(3) non profit status from the IRS and incorporated in Oregon in September 2004
• Held first Board of Directors meeting in NYC in June 2004 and adopted Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
• Reached agreement with Chuwi Tinamit to construct Parque Chimiya in November 2003

Also visit our FAQ page for more information about LWH.