Of the 97% indigenous Mayan Kaqchikel in the rural town of Comalapa, Guatemala, 57% live in poverty and 27% in extreme poverty. Residents lack access to potable water, food, shelter, and quality education. Severe environmental degradation and climate change exacerbate these challenges.

A significant shift in these circumstances requires a heroic and collaborative effort. To address these issues, Long Way Home was founded in 2004. In 2008, our team of educators, builders, volunteers, and administrators established Hero School to ensure multi-generational systemic change. During the construction of the Hero School campus, our team of local builders and over 4000 volunteers transformed more than 500 tons of repurposed waste (including 30,000 used tires) into our 20-structure campus. 

Today, 175 primary, middle, and high school students attend Hero School, receiving instruction from 25 dedicated educators. Our pedagogy prioritizes systemic thought, critical thinking, innovation, and global citizenship, preparing our local youth to navigate complex challenges with empathy and resilience.  

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