Group Volunteering opportunities are continually available in Comalapa, Guatemala!

At the right there are links to documents relative to individual volunteers, groups and internships. The Volunteer Manual provides in-depth information about living and working in Comalapa; this document is required reading for all our volunteers and groups.

Cultural immersion, working hard and making a positive difference are the defining characteristics of volunteering with Long Way Home. We encourage you to think of your trip as a chance to integrate into the Guatemalan community through various service opportunities, while taking advantage of rich cultural opportunities. Working side-by-side with local residents and fellow volunteers you will make a meaningful contribution to our project and this community.

Our site can handle up to 20 participants. We believe that smaller groups yield greater opportunities to interact with community members, maintain cohesiveness within the group and provide us with the opportunity to interact on a personal level with your group members. We offer service trips to a variety of participants, including:

Professional Groups
Church Groups
College Students (over age 18)

No special skills are required; we provide full instruction. Various specialized skills can be particularly useful for our projects. Unique project placements will be given for applicants with specific expertise. Please let us know prior to arrival if any of your group members have any special skills, including construction, masonry, carpentry, electrical, etc.

Registration

The process is simple. Your group coordinator will submit a volunteer group application on behalf of the entire group (found on the right side of this page). Once your program is approved, you will need to have all of the members of your group fill out a release form. You can find links to all necessary documents and additional information at the top right of this page. We encourage you to review them carefully. You may also contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kristin, at volunteer@longwayhomeinc.org if you have specific questions.

Program

It is difficult for Long Way Home to determine the projects that groups will be working on before arrival. They change frequently because of the nature of our projects and working in Guatemala. While your group's placement will depend on our areas of greatest need, we will also attempt to fill any request your group has. At this time our main focus is the Técnico Maya school.

Fees, Food, Accomodations & Travel Information

Standard Cost of $600 U.S.D. per person, per week includes:

• Antigua

  Founded in 1543, Antigua was the seat of Spanish colonial government for the Kingdom of Guatemala and is filled with buildings of ornate Spanish colonial architecture. Today, its monumental bougainvillea-draped ruins and carefully restored Spanish colonial buildings give form to a city of charm and romance unequaled in the Americas. Located just under an hour's drive from Comalapa, this trip will give you a chance to visit a coffee farm, hike a volcano, mingle in the local gringo scene or do some shopping. The price includes transportation and lodging; meals and outings are not included in the program fee.

• Lake Atitlan

  Lake Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America - approximately 340 meters. This picturesque lake is shaped by deep escarpments that surround it and by three volcanoes on its southern flank: Volcán Santiago, Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Atitlan. Lake Atitlan is further characterized by towns and villages of Mayan people. Approximately two hours from Comalapa, it is a center of international travel in Guatemala and has many intriguing towns with distinct personalities, such as San Marcos, Panajachel and San Pedro. These villages can be reached by outboard motorized boats that carry up to 20 passengers and make short stops at rustic docks. The lake basin supports extensive coffee growth and a variety of farm crops, most notably corn. The lake itself is rich in animal life which provides a significant food source for the largely indigenous population. The price includes round-trip transportation between Comalapa and one lakeside town and lodging; meals and outings are not included in the program fee.

  ***For both overnight excursions food and cultural activities i.e. tours, entrance fees, etc. are not included in Long Way Home Program Cost***

Cultural Activities Included:

Town Tour – San Juan Comalapa is a rural town in the department of Chimaltenango. Get a glimpse of a day in the lives of Comalapa’s 41,000 residents; see the horrifying beauty of the municipal landfill that will show you first-hand Long Way Home’s reason for using alternative building techniques. The welcoming nature of Comalapa’s residents and the proud way in which they carry themselves will serve for inspiration for your group’s time volunteering with Long Way Home. Spend time browsing the products of local Comalapan farmers, enjoy the hand crafted blankets, bags and clothing made by locals, and practice your Spanish skills bartering for the best price you can get. Also, receive a guided tour of Comalapa’s town mural that charts the history of Comalapa from ancient times through Guatemala’s Civil War until present times, and the town’s dreams for the future.

Cultural Night – An evening of local cuisine, music and art that will fully immerse you in Mayan culture. A local band, Grupo Aj, will perform re-interpreted traditional Mayan music, and a local family will prepare a traditional dinner. An option to have a famous local artist, Oskar Peren, display and explain his work, as well as a demonstration of the local Mayan dance and weaves is also available.

Cultural Activities Not Included:

Spanish Lessons - Regardless of what level you are, Spanish lessons with a local woman can be arranged. Lessons cost approximately $5 USD per hour. Lessons can be done individually, or in groups of two or three if Spanish skill level of students match.

Weaving Lessons - Learn how to use a back-strap loom and the intricate Antigua weave from a local woman from Antigua who now lives in Comalapa.

Day-trips

Chichicastenango: $50/person

A 2.5 hour trip from Comalapa, Chichicastenango has always been a magical destination in Guatemala. It was a market centre for the Kaqchikel Maya before Spanish conquest, and still boasts one of the largest markets in Guatemala, serving villages in the neighboring highlands. Chichi, as the locals call it, is rich in tradition and culture, and is the perfect town if you are looking for handmade souvenirs. The price includes transportation and lunch only.

Iximché/Tecpán: $30/person

The majestic Mayan ruins of Iximché are a must-see. Iximché was the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. It teaches of an ancient civilization that created an empire of learning, art and language that continues to influence daily life of the surrounding area of Tecpán. This city is located one hour from Comalapa. The price includes transportation, lunch and entrance fees.

Volcán Pacaya: $60/person

Located a two-hour drive from Comalapa, this 2,552-meter-high volcano has been active since 1965 and takes about 1.5 hours to climb; the descent is quicker. Depending on the time of your visit and the mood of the volcano, you might observe volcanic activity like quiet ash, lava, steam emissions or even full-throttle eruptions hurtling rocks skyward. The price includes transportation, lunch and entrance fees.

Service Groups should do further research on these tourist areas before their arrival. We recommend travel guides or internet searches. Each service group will create individual itineraries depending on their travel plans and budget.

Please contact Kristin at volunteer@longwayhomeinc.org with any questions.