India Building Project – working with local communities

Whether you are on a gap year, summer placement or career break, if you want to get your hands dirty and see physical results from your placement overseas, our Community Building Project in India may be just the thing for you!

Building volunteers work in and around Madurai and are involved in helping to construct a variety of different buildings for many of our partner organisations. You might be helping an orphanage to build a new shower block or helping a school to build an additional classroom. The building project is driven by the requirements of our partners.

Voluntary Building Project in India with Projects Abroad

Volunteers work alongside the local builders and carpenters, assisting with all levels of building and construction. The basic buildings are made using traditional methods and local materials. The construction techniques are simple to master and are ideal for sites with limited facilities.

Projects Abroad is currently working with a number of different partners from our teaching and care projects. The work we do is reflected by their demands. You might be adding an additional classroom to a small school or renovating an old dormitory in an orphanage. The main aim of the project is to improve the conditions that the children and teachers live and work in.

This project will allow us to make a sustainable difference that will not only make a significant impact on the lives of the local children but also benefit the society as a whole. The building project allows us to make long term improvements in the local communities.

Volunteering on the Community Building Project in India

The work of the volunteers is varied but may include digging foundations, mixing cement, building walls, constructing a roof, plastering or putting the finishing coat of paint on a completed house.

The building work takes place early in the morning and late in the afternoon so you'll have plenty of time to get involved in the community you are working in. Some volunteers combine the building project alongside a care or teaching placement. Each site we work on is overseen by a qualified builder from the community who will help volunteers with the construction process.

You do not need previous building experience to take part in this project; although anyone who does have any relevant skills will be very welcome and will be able to take on a more specialised role. All volunteers should, however, be reasonably fit and physically active, and be prepared for working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Volunteers live either with local families in the area or at the school or care centre where the project is taking place.

This project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.