Earn course credits by interning in Comalapa, Guatemala with Long Way Home. You can help satisfy college degree requirements while having the learning experience of a lifetime with us!

Please review the potential internships below. Note that there are new opportunities to apply your skills and education becoming available on a regular basis. If you are interested in pursuing an internship, please visit the Volunteer  page where you will find various forms and information in the right hand column. Also, please Contact us with additional questions.

Appropriate Technology Internship

Long Way Home is currently involved in the planning and building phases for the expansion of the K-12 Técnico Maya school, a new school built with low-impact, alternative building methods including but not limited to earth-bags, rammed-earth tires and recycled trash-filled-bottle construction. The school will teach a combination of traditional, Mayan and vocational courses. At the high school level students will have the opportunity to become entrepreneurial environmentalists through developing biodiesel projects.

This internship will involve a combination of sweat, head-scratching and hard labor followed by a feeling of accomplishment while still managing to have fun in the process. During these initial phases our organization is looking for someone who has experience in one or more of the following fields:

•Green Building, Alternative Construction or "Earthship" Construction
•Civil and/or Structural Engineering
•Mechanical Engineering
•Chemical Engineering (pertaining to bio-diesel project)
•Electrical Engineering
•Welding
•Masonry
•Carpentry

Responsibilities

•Assisting with construction.
•Planning on the spot.
•Contributing new ideas to current and future projects.
•Learning & implementing appropriate technologies in the community (ex: efficient wood stoves, rain catchment, etc.).

Qualifications

•Experience in 'pounding nails'
•1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent preferred.
•General understanding of construction and safe use of hand and power tools.
•Physically able to lift up to 100 lbs. and put in 8+ hour days.

International Marketing Internship

LWH is currently in need of an intern in the International Marketing sector. This internship may be carried out from your home university or at our site in Comalapa, Guatemala!

Although LWH is a locally integrated non-profit, it lacks international connections. As an International Marketing intern, you will publicize LWH's mission to the international community attracting motivated and qualified interns, volunteers and volunteer work groups.

Responsibilities

•Create marketing plans for the volunteer, voluntourism and internship programs.
•Outline short and long-term goals and objectives.
•Research compatible international internship programs.
•Establish relationships with internship programs from higher level educational institutions.
•Create documents to supplement the continuous updating of LWH's website.
•Generate public relations materials to spread awareness about LWH's mission and accomplishments, both in Guatemala and abroad.

Qualifications

•Education or experience in marketing, public relations, recruitment or other related area
•Good writing skills
•Ability to work independently
•Ability to read and write in Spanish a plus

Local Marketing Internship with Chuwi Tinamit

This internship works closely with Chuwi Tinamit, a local community-building organization in Comalapa. Established by Comalapa's community members in 1971, Chuwi Tinamit has been successful in meeting the needs of thousands within both the indigenous and Ladino communities. In 2005 the association provided resources and support for LWH in developing Parque Chimiyá, Long Way Home's first project. In addition, improving family health and education are some of Chuwi Tinamit's many long-term objectives. This is a unique opportunity to get involved with indigenous NGO development at the grassroots level.

Responsibilities

•Publicize Chuwi Tinamit locally, including promoting their development projects in Comalapa's surrounding villages.
•Create and maintain a website for the association.
•Generate and manage public relations materials.

Qualifications

•Ability to write professionally in Spanish
•Education or experience in writing, marketing, community development, web design, graphic design and/or communications
•FLEXIBILITY in the work environment
•International or cross-cultural experience and ability to adapt to different cultures
•Experience working with NGOs and NPOs a plus

Horticulture Internship

LWH's first project, Parque Chimiyá, features a 6-terraced organic botanical garden. We are looking for a dedicated gardener to bring their experience and enthusiasm to our site and the Comalapa community. LWH employs a mixture of sustainable gardening methods and always welcomes new ideas and experties. New projects such as school gardens or workshops on sustainable gardening and medicinal plants would be great additions to our ever-expanding park. Our horticulture interns will be introduced, through hands-on experience, to the rich biological diversity of the Guatemalan highlands.

Responsibilities

•Creatively incorporate permaculture techniques into the gardens.
•Maintain 6 terraces (about 500 sq.ft.) of fruit, vegetable, herb and ornamental gardens.
•Educate community members and generate informational materials about the benefits of composting, mulching and other sustainable techniques.
•Manage a variety of composting systems (hot-cold, 3 pile, etc.).
•Create educational signs for the gardens.

Qualifications

•Completed studies in botany, biology, small-scale agriculture or permaculture.
•Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
•Willingness to work under a variety of weather conditions from very wet and muddy (May to October) to very dry and dusty (November to April).
•Hands-on gardening experience.
•1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent.

Reforestation Internship: Option 1 (January to March)

Each year LWH runs a reforestation project. The project produces around 10,000 new endemic trees that are sold and planted within the local community. In addition to growing new trees, LWH collaborates with local schools to teach about the importance of environmental preservation through reforestation. The trees are started from seed at the beginning of the year so they will be ready for planting at the start of the rainy season (May/June).

Responsibilities

•Prepare and manage the vivero (tree nursery) and seed beds.
•Mix soil and facilitate bagging process for tree seedlings.
•Collaborate with local schools to set up educational field days in the vivero.
•Organize activities for elementary school groups to learn about reforestation and other environmental topics.

Qualifications

•Completed studies in botany, forestry and environmental preservation preferred.
•FLEXIBLE in the work environment, including working both independently and as part of an energetic team.
•Ability to work under very dry and dusty conditions.
•Hands-on experience in a garden or plant nursery.
•1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent, although greater fluency would be helpful for teaching.

Reforestation Internship: Option 2 (May to August)

May to October represents the rainy season in Comalapa. The Reforestation Intern during this period would be planting and caring for seedlings through their first few months. They would be marketing the availability of seedlings for reforestation, organizing community education events and the distribution of the seedlings for transplantation.

Responsibilities

•Weed and maintain the vivero (tree nursery).
•Provide expertise and tree planting labor for locals wishing to reforest their land.
•Promote the LWH reforestation project within the local community.
•Collaborate with local schools to set up educational field days in the vivero.
•Organize activities for elementary school groups to learn about reforestation and other environmental topics.

Qualifications

•Completed studies in botany, forestry and environmental preservation preferred.
•FLEXIBLE in the work environment, including working both independently and as part of an energetic team.
•Ability to work under very wet and muddy conditions.
•Hands-on experience in a garden or plant nursery preferred.
•1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent, although greater facility would be needed for teaching responsibilities.

Agricultural Production Internship

Agricultural Production Interns will aid local organizations and community members in the search for viable economic solutions involving the production and trading of consumer goods. Participants will research and encourage the development of sustainable agriculture systems, aiming to improve local farmers autonomy and economic well-being. An upcoming project involves working closely with the neighboring community, Simajuleu, whose members have established a small nonprofit organization to aid in the development of a coffee trade business. Currently they are losing money through an unnecessary association with a middle-man, resulting in inflated production costs. LWH is looking for candidates interested in improving the system of agricultural trade for this community.

Responsibilities

•Train community members in developing sustainable farming techniques.
•Educate farmers on permaculture and organic farming methods as well as trading, conserving and sharing resources.
•Research opportunities for agri-business initiatives.
•Research grants and write proposals.

Qualifications

•Proficient in problem solving.
•Academic or experiential background in agricultural production.
•Must be able to converse with the local people in their own language (Spanish or Kaq'chikel).
•Strong leadership and communication skills.
•Interest in working with developing communities.
•International and/or cross-cultural experience.

Internship in Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass management is a quickly evolving profession essential to operating athletic programs, golf courses and park systems. LWH is seeking an enthusiastic intern with an interest in lawn care operations to oversee our soccer field. The field is a key element to our success at Parque Chimiyá. It has become a notable venue for all community members to join together and it has brought about tremendous community adhesion in its three years of existence. It has been the scene of many games and tournaments as well as host to a number of daily visitors to the park wishing to use it for their own recreational purposes.

Responsibilities

•Regularly groom, irrigate (dry season, May to October) and maintain 50 x 115 meters of soccer field.
•Manage insects, weed populations and diseases.
•Perform reconstructive work with seeds and soils.
•Safely use and maintain hand tools and equipment.

Qualifications

•Knowledge of turfgrass and soil science.
•Some experience in proper irrigation practices, pest control and resource budgeting.
•Flexibility and willingness to work outdoors under all weather conditions.
•Familiarity with appropriate tool use and maintenance.
•Commitment to lawn care operations.
•Willingness to embrace the simple life with our local groundskeeper, Félix.

NGO Development Internship

This internship is a great opportunity for anyone pursuing a career in social work, community organizing, political science or non-profit management. Long Way Home currently collaborates with several organizations in and around Comalapa to improve the standard of living for community members. These include the local NGO Chuwi Tinamit and the development committees of several villages in the surrounding area. The NGO Development Intern would help foster collaboration with US based organizations like Engineers Without Borders to bring development projects to communities in need.

Interns will investigate methods to develop new NGOs and to help these established organizations improve the living conditions of Comalapans. Participants involved may expect to assist the community in every way possible. We invite interns from a variety of academic and experiential backgrounds to lend their hands and ideas to better the community.

Responsibilities

•Research and write reports and proposals for fundraising and grantsmanship.
•Create activities for community members that promote entrepreneurship.
•Research economic initiatives that are good for the community and sustainable for the Earth.
•Develop a long-term program to help establish stability/sustainability for the community.

Qualifications

•Interest and enthusiasm about community works and projects.
•Flexibility, patience, and willingness to be proactive.
•Coursework or experience in community development, environmental studies, social work or equivalent preferred.
•Some experience with NGOs preferred.
•Fluency in Spanish.

Grant Writing Internship

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about grant writing for a nonprofit organization. Interns will research, prioritize, and apply for grants from a variety of foundations and institutions. Our vision includes investing in future projects with the aim of continually improving the Comalapan standard of living. Our ability to undertake these ventures depends on the success of future grants.

Some examples of projects you could help achieve funding:

•Construction of a new school building for underserved students.
•Wood burning stoves for families who cook over open fires.
•Water storage tanks for families with limited access to water.
•Equipment to start a children's sports league.
•Long term paid employment opportunities for international development workers.

Responsibilities

•Research sources of funding for projects that LWH is planning or implementing.
•Write proposals and grants that have a good chance of being funded.
•Make a minimum three month commitment.
•Initiate other fund-raising ideas.

Requirements

•Experience and/or education in communications, writing, journalism and/or research.
•Interest in collaborating with a nonprofit organization.
•First year college level Spanish or equivalent.
•Some experience in writing grants preferred.

Environmental Education Internship

Part of Long Way Home's mission is to educate the Comalapan youth about the local environment and environmental sustainability. In 2007 a classroom was built on our site in order to conduct classes on topics including recycling, reforestation, preservation of natural habitats and composting. We are interested in an intern with the leadership skills to organize and implement an educational outreach program through networking with local elementary and middle schools. Although an on-site location exists for environmental education, an intern should extend their educational program into sensitive community sites and local schools.

Responsibilities

•Develop an environmental studies curriculum for K-6 emphasizing natural history, conservation of resources, organic farming techniques, proper waste disposal and recycling.
•Teach the curriculum to LWH volunteers for use in the field.
•Develop an appropriate curriculum for the nature trail at Parque Chimiyá .
•Design and supervise the construction of learning stations with interpretive signs to be erected in the 2-hectare forested area at Parque Chimiyá.
•Label plants in the forested area at the park and create an environmental map of it.
•Create an environmental map of the forested area at Parque Chimyá.
•Create an environmental education curriculum for use at local schools.

Qualifications

•Environmental studies, environmental science and/or conservation biology background at undergraduate or graduate level.
•3rd year college level Spanish or equivalent.
•Ability to work independently and to manage a team.
•Knowledge of Central American botany and plant identification skills.
•Experience in curriculum development.

English Teacher Internship (February to September)

There are dozens of primary schools located within and around Comalapa that are in need of an English teacher. Along with Spanish and the Kaq'chiquel Mayan dialect, English is now being introduced into the developing Comalapan community and is in high demand. Long Way Home can present the necessary contacts to start teaching relations with the local schools while offering the chance to manage all respective connections. This internship does not have students October through January when school is not in session.

Responsibilities

•Setting up an appropriate curriculum with teaching staff using interactive teaching methods (art, music, games, etc.).
•Training local teachers when requested.
•Developing new and maintaining old relationships with schools in Comalapa.
•Involving students in relevant Long Way Home projects.

Qualifications

•4 years university-level Spanish or equivalent.
•Experience or interest working with children from the ages 7-15.
•Creativity in a fast-paced work environment.
•Excellent leadership skills.
•Willingness to work independently.
•Previous experience teaching ESL preferred.

Youth Sports Education Intern

The Comalapa region is brimming with children wishing to play sports but lacking essential knowledge and skills. Long Way Home has a regulation size grass soccer field and basketball/volleyball court that can be utilized for the purposes of recreation and teaching.

This internship would require organizing after-school activities during the school year (February to September) and running all-day programs or camps from October to January to teach soccer, basketball, general games and volleyball for ages 6-14.

Responsibilities

•Working directly with local school principals to develop a physical education curriculum.
•Organizing youth soccer and basketball teams.
•Planning and implementing youth sports camps and activities for the beginning of October when Summer vacation begins.
•Devising dynamic and interactive ways for the children to relate to one another.
•Minimum three month commitment to 40 hour per week work schedule.

Qualifications

•Bachelor's degree and at least one year experience (or equivalent) in elementary education, physical education, curriculum planning, or other related field.
•Interest and enthusiasm about community works and projects.
•Spanish language skill of college level 300, equivalent or better.
•Ability to live and work in a rustic setting in a developing country.
•Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
•Strong commitment to advancing opportunities for underprivileged youth.