Internships
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Under staff supervision, LWH interns will help design, construct, and administrate projects to improve the educational and socio-economic conditions for the people of Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala.   By affording interns the opportunity to do "real work" Long Way Home is a pioneer among development institutions.

Started in 2004 Long Way Home initially built an eco-park to provide recreational and educational opportunities for the Comalapa community. Since then LWH has built a soccer field, a basketball court, a six-tier organic garden, a community kitchen, a 10,000 seedling tree nursery. The park serves approximately 500 visitors per week including church groups, family reunions, quincea?eras, birthday parties, sport tournaments...etc.

LWH is an on-the-ground project which is fully integrated into the Guatemalan community with a Spanish speaking staff. It has remained committed to the principle of slow intentional growth. In this way, LWH has earned the trust of community leaders and gained a foothold of influence attracting other agencies to its portals. By 2007 LWH began to assist other non-profits. It now supports several other endeavors aimed at improving the communities' standard of living. These projects include:

• The implementation of appropriate technology focusing on family health.
• Collaborating on water projects with Engineers Without Borders.
• Assisting the non-profit Rotary, Inc. in the building and dispensing of wood-burning kitchen stoves.
• Collaborating with Chuwi Tinamit on non-profit development with local villages
• Teaching English at local schools
• Collaborating with a local health-care Board of Directors to reestablish the local hospital.
• Building an elementary and vocational school that will teach entrepreneurial skills and develop economic initiatives that are safe and environmentally sound.

Long Way Home has an established international internship and volunteer program that has hosted 12 interns and over 200 volunteers between January 2005 and February 2008. An internship with LWH will provide the necessary experience to enter the world of community development and provide a cultural immersion experience of the Mayan lifestyle. An intern will:

• Join an energetic team of other interns, long and short-term volunteers, and an experienced and committed staff of three full-time development professionals.
• Witness the warmth of the close-knit and mutually dependent indigenous population that live within a multi-generational family unit.
• Do "real work" including writing, research, grant applications, curriculum development and teaching.
• Witness the day-to-day administration of a successful non-profit.
• Leave with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of resource expansion within a developing country that has limited government supports to benefit health, education and welfare.

Flexibility is a necessary quality in an intern. Projects are often long-term. Whether building water cisterns, perfecting the art of flipping a tortilla or researching grants an intern will also have a very good time. The following internships offer a vital insight into an indigenous community and the life of a grassroots nonprofit organization.  

International Marketing Internship

LWH is currently in need of an intern in the International Marketing sector. This internship may be 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 implement your degree studies to publicize LWH's mission to the international community attracting motivated and qualified interns, volunteers and voluntourists.

Responsibilities of the intern would be chosen from the following set of LWH needs:

• Create marketing plans for the volunteer, voluntourism and internship programs.
• Marketing plans to include timelines, short and long-term goals and objectives.
• Create a list of compatible international internship programs.
• Establish key relationships with internship programs from higher level educational institutions.
• Create documents to supplement the continuous process of updating LWH's website.
• Generate public relations materials to spread community awareness both in Guatemala and stateside of LWH's mission and accomplishments..

 Qualifications

• Good writing skills

Chuwi Tinamit /Local Marketing Internship

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

Responsibilities

• Publicize Chuwi Tinamit locally.
• Create and maintain a website for the association.
• Generate and manage public relations materials.

Qualifications

• 4 years+ university-level Spanish or equivalent.
• Education or experience in writing, marketing, community development, web design, graphic design and/or communications
• Experience working with NGOs and NPOs.
• FLEXIBLE in the work environment.
• Easily adapted to different cultures.

Horticulture Internship:

One element of the park at LWH is 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. A variety of new projects, such as a spiral herb garden, community gardening workshops or medicinal plant sector, would be great additions to our ever-expanding park. Furthermore, our interns will be introduced, through hands-on experience, to the rich biological diversity of the Guatemalan highlands.

Responsibilities

• Creatively implement new permaculture techniques into the gardens.
• Maintain 6 terraces of mixed annual, vegetable and perennial 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.).
• Employ companion planting methods.

Qualifications

• Completed studies in botany, biology, small-scale agriculture and alternative gardening methods.
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
• Willingness to work under a variety of weather conditions from wet to very dry.
• Hands-on experience in a garden setting.
• 1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent.

Reforestation Internship: Option 1

Every January through March, LWH runs a reforestation project. The project produces around 10,000 new endemic trees, including White Pine, Cypress and Elm, every year that are then sold and replanted 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.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage the vivero (tree nursery) and seed beds.
• Facilitate bagging process for tree seedlings.
• Collaborate with local schools to set up educational field days in the vivero.
• Transplant a variety of tree seedlings.

Qualifications

• Completed studies in botany, biology and environmental preservation preferred.
• FLEXIBLE in the work environment, including working both independently and      as part of an energetic team.
• Ability to work under a variety of weather conditions from wet to very dry.
• Hands-on experience in a garden or plant nursery preferred.
• Previous experience with service projects.
• Previous experience working in a low-income setting.
• 1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent, although greater fluency would be indicated for teaching.

Reforestation Internship: Option 2

May to September 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

• Prepare and manage the vivero (tree nursery) and seed beds.
• Facilitate bagging process for tree seedlings.
• Collaborate with local schools to set up educational field days in the vivero.
• Transplant a variety of tree seedlings.

Qualifications

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

Agricultural Production Internship

Interns will aid local organizations and community members in the search for viable economic solutions involving the production and trading of consumer goods.   Ideal participants will research and encourage the development of sustainable agriculture systems, with an end to improving 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 organic agricultural 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 facets of agricultural production.
• 4 years+ university-level Spanish or equivalent.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Interest in working with developing communities.
• Experience working in low-income setting.

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, or campo , is a key element to our success at Parque Chimiya.   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 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 preferred.
• 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 guardiano , Felix.

NGO Development Internship

This internship is a great opportunity for anyone pursuing a career in social work, community organizing, political science or environmental science.   Long Way Home currently collaborates with several organizations in and around Comalapa to improve the standard of living for community members.   These include: · Local NGO Chuwi Tinamit , which provides funding and assistance to LWH in developing Parque Chimiya .

• Simajuleu Civic Committee, a group of citizens from a small nearby village called Simajuleu who started a nonprofit organization for development projects within their town, including a public water system and a coffee business.
• Engineers Without Borders whose mission it is to bring water projects to developing communities at no cost.

Interns will investigate methods to develop new NGOs and to help these established organizations with a focus on continually improving 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 and new 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.
• Flexible, patient and willing to be proactive.
• Coursework or experience in political science, 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.   Previous grants have allowed LWH to develop an organic botanical garden, sports fields, a playground, a tree nursery and a residence for project staff at Parque Chimiya .   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

• Renovations to a local hospital, existing but currently closed.
• New campus and Appropriate Technologies curriculum for a local vocational school.
• 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 of a 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 Manager Internship

Part of Long Way Home's mission is to educate the Comalapan youth about the local environment and environmental sustainability. As of 2007, a new 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 construct 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 into 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 volunteer staff for use in the field.
• Develop an appropriate curriculum for the nature trail at Parque Chimya .
• Design and supervise the construction of learning kiosks erected in the 2-hectare forested area at Parque Chimya with an emphasis on conservation of natural resources and services.
• Label the plants present in the 2-hectare forested area at Parque Chimya.
• Create an environmental map of the 2-hectare forested area at Parque Chimya.
• Create an off-site natural history curriculum for use at local environmentally sensitive sites.
• 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 Latin American botany.
• Identification skills.
• Experience in curriculum development.

Appropriate Technology Internship

Long Way Home is currently involved in the planning and building phases for the expansion of the K-12 Tecnica 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:

• 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
• Contribute new ideas to current and future projects
• Learning & implementing appropriate technologies in the community (ex: efficient       wood stoves, water cisterns, etc.)

Qualifications

• Experience in 'pounding nails'
• 1 year university-level Spanish or equivalent
• 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

English Teacher Internship

There are dozens of primary schools located within and around Comalapa that are in need of an English teacher. Along with Spanish and the Kaqchiquel 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.
• Making new and maintaining old relationships with schools in Comalapa.
• Engaging students in relevant Long Way Home projects.
• Using interactive teaching methods (art, music, games, etc.).

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 countless kids wishing to play sports but lacking the necessary knowledge and skills. Long Way Home has a regulation size all-grass soccer field and basketball/volleyball court that can be utilized for the purposes of recreation and teaching.

This internship would extend 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.
• Managing Long Way Home youth soccer and basketball projects already in progress.
• 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.

During the current phase of Long Way Home development all interns are expected to perform a variety of tasks that may not solely fall within the category of their internship. An attitude of co-operation and willingness to be part of an energetic team are necessary for success at Long Way Home.

Apply Online (Individuals)

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Volunteer / Intern Packet (.pdf)

• Manual
• Application
• Release Form
• Volunteer Group Form (Group Coordinators)

Volunteer Program Costs