Parque Chimiya at San Jan Comalapa
The Water andand Electrical System

Long Way Home's first collaboration with Engineers Without Borders was the water project at Parque Chimiyá .   Completed in January 2007, this successful undertaking brought reliable running water to the whole park, including the community kitchen, gardens, and staff and volunteer housing.   The use of an electric water pump necessitated the installation of a permanent electric line, which also brought reliable electricity to the park for the first time.   Now other Chimiyá community members also benefit from the use of our water and electricity.   The project was funded by Engineers Without Borders of Minnesota, Long Way Home, Chuwi Tinamit, and the Rotary Clubs of Minnesota and Guatemala.

Background

There is a natural spring on the Parque Chimiyá property, set back in the forest near the waterfall.   Prior to the water project, one of the park's neighbors, a strawberry farmer, periodically allowed us to use his pump to fill our large holding tank from the spring.   The park's water was supplemented by a rain catchment system at the volunteer house.   When there was no rain and the rented pump was unavailable, volunteers could walk a few minutes to a nearby public washing area from which they could carry buckets of water back to the house.   While this system served its purpose, it was inconvenient and time-consuming.

When Engineers Without Borders of Minnesota came to Comalapa to look for a solution to this problem in March 2006, they researched electric, gas and solar powered water pumps, and determined that an electric pump would be the most locally appropriate.   In anticipation of the engineers' return in January of the following year, Long Way Home had an electric line installed that would serve to run the small pump.   Two teams of seven engineers each spent a week in Comalapa installing the water pump they had designed and constructed specifically for the project.   Parque Chimiyá and its volunteers, neighbors and visitors continue to benefit from the reliable water and electricity that resulted from this successful collaboration.

During the rainy season an irrigation system will be designed to provide the ecological park, nursery, and gardens with the necessary output. We have a lawn mower on site, and plenty of organic fertilizers to maintain the nutrients required for an area of this size. The manpower will be provided and divided by the host country agency, long way home, and local volunteers.

Click here if you would like to help donate toward the purchase of any of the above materials or just make a general donation to the vitality of the project. Long Way Home appreciates your contributions and interest in helping make the world a better place.