Looking forward to working with a school in a rural setting? Do you want to help build a classroom/project site/laboratory and re-design the basics of education? Do you want to add some colors to the lives of these young ones? Join us.

Debrief –

An ideal project for short-term volunteers, visitors and even working nomads, no specific skills are required. In fact, we welcome new ideas for a merger between the old and the new ways.

Volunteers should bring their own gloves, flashlights, and light-weight scarf for dust protection, insect repellent, working boots and water bottle. Please also note, projects and volunteer roles will vary from school to school.

This project focuses primarily on the construction and renovation of academic structures such as lavatories, libraries, classrooms and a possible staff office. Volunteers also have the opportunity to meet chiefs and community elders, and learn about the various cultures of the different communities through drumming, music and dance. If you are somebody with a knack for outdoor engagements and a good level of fitness, this will be a perfect project for you. The Construction assistant project offers volunteers the special opportunity to work alongside local people. One might bring forth a merger of new ideas and help re-design the concept of blackboard teaching.

Background –

In African communities, the most common problem faced by learners and educators alike is the deficit of good classroom structures with proper learning equipment. Sometimes, even to this day, you might find students sitting under a tree or just in the raw dirt against a scorching sun which is really not conducive for proper learning session. Even though the covid19 pandemic has started to fade, its impact has dealt a huge blow to the economy of schools with most parents opting out of sending their wards to classes and thus halting educational balance for the children. Instead, some kids have been asked to get a job, although the shock is not theirs alone but the surrounding bystanders. All of this because of lack of proper guidance, funds, material acquisition to build a student-friendly classroom. More than that, even the toilets have come to spotlight in lieu of the safety measures not being provided. In some schools, both girls and boys share the same lavatory which poses a threat to their physical and psychological health. They get used to the idea that everyone uses the same room for a single purpose and live in denial, until it’s too late, that they could come in contact with contagious diseases.

Benefits –

Volunteers may be placed in different locations, depending on the need for construction assistance. Applicants with previous experience or qualifications in architecture would also have a chance into the African way of insitu architectural methods. They would also get to know the hassles and troubles local labourers go through, the very reason as to why aid is needed.

Location –

Mombasa is a touristy coastal city of not just Kenya but also East Africa. It’s round-the-year hot and humid so expect to be surrounded by serene splash of waves on the beach and dusty roads. Overall, it is surrounded by forest reserves and hilly ranges which adds it to one of the most tourist-friendly attractions in the world. Kenyans are lovely, warm people with a heart for friendly exchanges and interactions with tourists.

Challenges faced:

a.     Lack of resources to reach out and ask for construction aid.

b.     Zero knowledge of classroom ambience.

c.      Lack of personnel to assist the teachers.

d.     Absence of proper toilets and canteen materials.

e.     Lack of proper construction engineers to help design a draft for the framework.

Requirements:

We are looking for volunteers to help us with construction and building assistance with newer ideas and basic labor. We are also open to new design blueprints, painting and interior décor initiatives. Visitors would also get a chance to experience local lunch sessions with laborers and hear the stories of contrasting lifestyles or even engage with them during weekends for any recreational activities. Please note, this project has an additional fee of 50-100 euros per person for construction and renovation materials that are used during the project. A breakdown of the materials would be given post application completion, depending on the duration and the availability of materials.