Home > Volunteer Vacations > Build a School in a Developing Nation

BUILD A SCHOOL IN A DEVELOPING NATION

by Jamie Littlefield
school buildings

Help build a school and you could change the lives of children and families in an entire community. Approximately 115 million children in developing nations are not given the chance to attend school. Many villages, particularly in Sub-Saharan African and South Asia, don't have the enough money to build schools for their children. The average first world nation spends around $4,000 per student each year. In contrast, developing nations spend an average of $40 per student each year. This discrepancy means that children born in poor nations may not even have a schoolhouse to attend.

By building a school in a developing nation, you can help these students get the education they deserve. Studies have shown that when children are given an education, deviant behaviors such as prostitution decline. As a generation of educated children becomes adults, they will improve the quality of life for everyone in their community. Educated children will make more money than their parents and will be better prepared to pull their families out of poverty. The overall health of the community members will also improve. With newfound education and prosperity, diseases such as AIDS will begin to lose their grip and infant mortality rates will improve. What these children learn within the four walls of a newly built schoolhouse can have a ripple effect that improves life for their own children, their grandchildren, and the children of future generations.

You can help build a school even if you have never picked-up a hammer before. Many volunteer vacation programs offer novice builders the chance to travel to a developing nation and construct a school with a team of friendly volunteers. You'll receive basic training and instructions along the way. This unique opportunity lets you get your hands dirty and actually see what a difference you've made before you head back home. But, don't think it's all about hard work. Most programs also give volunteers the chance to travel around the communities they are working in, explore the country, and get to know the people they are helping.

  • The Global Volunteer Network coordinates trips to La Esperanza, Honduras. Volunteers stay with host families in a nearby community as they build schools, playgrounds, homes, and other buildings for residents of a rural village.
  • Globe Aware sends volunteers to help communities in Hoi An, Vietnam. Volunteers turn old buildings into schools, build playgrounds, teach English, and help distribute books through a portable library. They also visit existing schools and write evaluations that detail what improvements could be made to help students learn.
  • ProBelize sends volunteers to build schools and construct playgrounds in Belize. Builders work side-by-side with community members to improve schools, and are also given the chance to explore the Mayan ruins and go snorkeling in the Caribbean.
  • Global Volunteers coordinates trips to Tanzania, Africa. Volunteers with this organization build classrooms and dormitories, teach, and work on other community projects in an impoverished village.
  • Detours Abroad shelters volunteers in safari tents near the Indian Ocean in Kenya, Africa. During their trip, volunteers work with a team to build a school for local villagers or complete another construction project. They may also choose to get involved with additional service activities such as teaching, environment conservation, and animal protection.
  • Detours Abroad also sends volunteers to several towns in Peru. Volunteers live in a volunteer house or stay at the home of a local family. They build schools, construct play areas, and work in the school's garden. Volunteers may also teach English and technical subjects to local children.

When your volunteer vacation comes to an end, you'll be tired and a bit dirty. But, you will have made a big difference in the lives of local children. You'll leave the village with visible proof of the work you've done and happy memories of the people you've helped.