SimajHuleu Non-profit Organization

Start Date:   Nov 15, 2007
Main Contact:   Simajuleu Civic Committee, Rolando Torres, E.D.
Project Manager:   Mateo Paneitz, E.D.
Current Status: In Progress

Purpose

To assist community leaders in the development of a non-profit organization.

Background

The village of Simajhuleu is governed by a 12 member civic committee that is elected every 3 years by the general public.   This committee oversees all village business through regular meetings of the directors and the community at large.   The current officers of the civic committee have been proactive in their responsibilities by seeking out projects in education, infrastructure, and agricultural development.

In July 2007 the committee officers formally solicited support from Long Way Home in the form of a water project.   Instead of just doing the project, LWH and Chuwi TInamit involved the officers of the committee in the entire process of project solicitation.   In November 2007, Rolando Torres, current president of the committee, inquired about the possibility of the officers forming a formal non-profit to be incorporated in Guatemala, under the guidance of Long Way Home.  

Current Status

The organization has established five objectives

• Improve primary and secondary education
• Preserve and restore the natural environment
• Develop agricultural production
• Improve family health
• Upgrade municipal infrastructure (water, electricity, roads, etc.)

We have also outlined a mission statement and vision statement based on the objectives of the organization, developed bylaws from Chuwi Tinamit from which the new organization will base the administrtation and execution of projects, and elected officers for the board of directors and decided on a name.

Potential

Simajhuleu is one of 23 villages in the county of San Juan Comalapa that has a civic committee.   Several of these civic committees have expressed interest forming non-profit organizations as a way to facilitate development work.   Long Way Home's role in this project is to advise organizational leaders on topics that include non-profit start-up, administration, accounting, marketing, sustainable development, project development, and networking.

Click here if you would like to help donate toward the develpment of this project 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.