Volunteer Building Projects Abroad

Some of the most important work that needs to be done in developing communities is setting up basic infrastructure. Helping communities through building lays a foundation that will allow locals to continue with your efforts even after your volunteer work abroad has ended.

Next Step: Click here to choose a destination for your Building project

Building volunteers can work in a variety of destinations contributing to all types of sustainable projects. Whether you want to experience rural life in Ghana or a big city in South Africa, there are different options for you to get the most out of your building work.

Volunteering on a Building Project Overseas

You can do volunteer building whether you’re 16 or 60! These projects are for volunteers who are on summer holidays, a gap year from your education, or taking a career break and they run all year round. You don’t need any previous building experience, though you should be physically fit and willing to work hard in order to partake on these projects.

Our building projects really allow volunteers to be immersed in the host community. Volunteers work with locals to make sure these projects get completed and match the needs of the people they’re benefitting.

You may find that the way you’re used to working on building projects back home can be very different from this experience; the materials used are often more simple and there can be limited tools for construction. Additionally, work schedules may vary due to a hot or rainy climate, so a flexible attitude and a willingness to get involved when needed is essential.

"It was hands on, dirty and often tough but all the more rewarding for it, and I would happily do it again. The work ranged from making mortar and bricks, to building foundations, floors, walls, windows, doors and roofs, and with the process being so quick, it never felt like a dull day on site."

Donal Egan
Building volunteer in Ghana

Building Projects in:

Ghana General Building Projects
Join us in Ghana and help construct better-quality homes and classrooms for children and their families. Learn how to make bricks from mud and water, before building walls, plastering and painting.

Jamaica General Building Projects
You will help build and repair the homes of people generally in need of assistance and those who have been affected by hurricanes. Work may include minor repairs, mixing mortar and laying blocks.

Nepal General Building Projects
Volunteers on our Building project in Nepal will work to rebuild and repair schools, homes and community buildings damaged by the earthquake which struck in April 2015. Help make a tangible difference to our recovery efforts in-country.

Philippines General Building Projects
Volunteer on a Building project in the Philippines and contribute to the renovation and building of houses and schools in areas that were affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Senegal General Building Projects
Volunteers on the Building project in Senegal contribute to the renovation and/or building of houses and school classrooms in impoverished communities to enable an improved living and learning environment.

South Africa General Building Projects
We have building projects in several township areas of Cape Town. You will help construct better-quality homes and classrooms for children and their families.

Tanzania General Building Projects
Work alongside local builders, helping with the construction of classrooms and orphanages. You may be involved in mixing cement, digging foundations, plastering and painting.