Community building project in Kenya

These projects would greatly welcome extra pairs of hands as they continue to evolve local communities. Building work in Kenya varies from minor refurbishment to providing permanent housing for displaced people. Our building coordinators help guide volunteers and provide materials, supplies and plans to carry out the day’s work. You may also be asked to help renovate one of the local schools as it continues to be refurbished and has extensions built. This project is ongoing and makes a distinct difference to people’s lives. No formal qualifications are required, just a willing and positive attitude. Materials can be basic but they are adequate and efficient to ensure as many people as possible can be helped. You can also drop by and visit the families you've helped afterwards or enjoy an art lesson at a school you've helped to refurbish!

The long-term objectives of the project are to enhance the standards of living for residents in small communities. You will be welcomed with a meet and greet from the project coordinator(s) and given a thorough orientation, which gives you further information about the history of the project, how it has achieved its goals and where it is heading. As a volunteer, you will work as part of a team and liaise closely with your project coordinator to source materials, plan the activities ahead for the duration of your placement and help achieve the project’s goals. This can include the building, refurbishment, renovation and extension of local housing, community centres, churches and schools.

Depending on the length of your trip, you will be given the opportunity to be part of a mini-project (such as building a house for a displaced family) that you can see through from start to finish before sharing a cup of tea with the new occupants! In addition, part of your trip fee is donated directly to the project, which enhances the project’s development and, ultimately, enables it to achieve its goals quicker. Your donation helps fund equipment and resources for the project, meaning the financial and humanitarian support you provide with us is invaluable. Wet season is April to July, which can help cool off from the hot temperatures during November to February. A typical day will start at your designated meeting place, where you, other volunteers and the building coordinator will discuss the plan of action for the forthcoming day. You will need to decide on and source, materials, equipment, tools, transport (if required) and delivery schedules. The building coordinator will be happy to teach you the basics if you are not already familiar with them, such as mixing cement, aligning poles and pillars and laying bricks.

Depending on where and what you are building, you’ll first need to dig and lay the foundations before constructing walls (either brick or iron) and affixing doors and windows. The building coordinator, school or family may decide to paint the exterior, lay concrete flooring or apply any interior decorating. You’ll eventually have the pleasure in presenting the completed home to the family. (Please note that the itinerary may be subject to change and dependent on location).