Construction and Designing Assistant

Looking forward to working with a school in a rural setting? Do you want to help a classroom 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.

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:

• Lack of resources to reach out and ask for construction aid.
• Lack of knowledge of classroom ambience.
• Lack of personnel to assist the teachers.
• Absence of proper toilets and canteen materials.
• 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 50-70 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.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your accommodation by a local coordinator/staff member and allowed to relax and rest.

Following that, you will meet the admin and the organizational hierarchy who will explain the work and the ongoing projects to be done.

Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

Day 1

• 8:30 AM: Volunteer leaves for the project destination. The volunteer joins with the local staff and will be oriented about the work to be done.
• 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM: Lunch break. During this lunch break, you are welcome to eat out or eat at the accommodation.
• 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM: volunteer makes a note of things to be done and decides what to buy and how to buy, unless the blueprint is not ready. Work at the project usually ends. The volunteer at this point is free to travel around and explore or do anything at his/her own choice.
• 7.00 PM: Dinner in the volunteer house.

Day 2 onwards

Volunteers have their own choice to work at their own pace and flexibility but it is advised to work in early hours as the sun and humidity combines a massive scorcher past 10-11 am, after which locals would be more suited while outsiders might need a breather. The rest of the day goes on as usual.

Usual workdays: Monday to Friday.

Overtime adjustments: If the volunteer and the coordinator feel the need to be flexible with the time, given the length and the nature of the work, that can be arranged as well. The volunteer also needs to arrange simultaneously.

The best part about the project and the program is its time notwithstanding.

During the weekend, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore the Mombasa locale, such as visiting the beach, planning a fun and entertainment program with the kids, visiting local homes, etc.

Also, they can tour in and around places like Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu and so on.

There’s no dearth of places of rich and cultural heritage and the famed African wildlife. One must not miss out on the chance of a local safari to Tsavo hills or Arabuko reserves.

NOTE – The program coordinator can arrange for sightseeing, only after proper intimation and discussion.