Guatemala Disaster Relief Fund

This update on our disaster relief efforts comes with both good and bad news!

First, the not so good news.

Unfortunately, there were such heavy rains in mid-September through the end of October in Alotenango, that all project planning was flushed away by Mother Earth herself, almost. Those tropical rainstorms made it impossible to set up the wood structure for the Playtime and Learning Center we are building. We all had to pause and wait for the rain to end which gave us time to re-plan the project.

Now, the good news! After our latest meetings with PuraVida Atitlan, the Carpinteros Alotenango and the Municipaly of Alotenango, we have got the ball rolling again. Next week, three young carpentry students, guided by the vocational course teacher, will start setting up the wood frame for the Center. Then, 1^st thing in 2019, we are going to build the walls with over 5.000 eco-bricks, glass bottles and cob. A solar panel on the roof will provide electricity for lights inside and outside the Center. We had a slight delay, but we are coming back more organized and prepared than before.

We greatly appreciate your gift to the families who have lost their housing. On the next report you will see the final product of teamwork between NGOs, volunteers and locals. Thanks a lot, and stay tuned.

Thank you very much for your kind donation to help people who have lost their homes after the big eruption of the volcano Fuego here in Guatemala.

The work of recovery and reconstruction after the catastrophe caused by the eruption 3^rd of June is mostly happening in the municipality of San Juan Alotenango, in the department of Sacatepéquez. After 3 month, we find more than 700 people, children, parents and grandparents living in transitional shelters built next to a school campus on the outskirts of Alotenango. They have reactivated the classrooms for the resumption of the school year. Partnering with PuraVida Atitlan, Vital Force, the carpenters of Alotenango and the municipally of Alotenango, Long Way Home will now build an eco-brick playtime center for the children. The foundation is ready and we are now waiting for the carpenters to finish housing structure. August 22^nd we celebrated Day of cleaning with more than 4000 students of Alotenango who have helped to recycle waste materials into eco-bricks, now used as building materials. This month, the actual construction will start and we hope to present you the final child center on our next report.

Thank you very much for your help. We appreciate your support and always enjoy the opportunity to share our stories with you, the people that make them possible!