Laikipia, Kenya

May 08 - May 16, 2027

Program donation

USD $3,105.00

About your program donation

Build type

Home construction icon
Home construction

Help build new homes with families who partner with Habitat.

Accepts youth?

Yes

Program description

Though Kenya is a leading economy in East Africa, 2019 World Bank statistics found that 33% of Kenyans and 46% of Laikipia residents live below the national poverty line. Most homes in Laikipia are built with low-quality makeshift materials such as sticks and mud. Poor home construction is often coupled with unsafe or lack of access to water sources, where 56.5% and 54%of communities would benefit from rainwater tanks and latrine installations, respectively.

Habitat for Humanity Kenya is working with all levels of the Kenyan government, community-based organizations and other nonprofits to respond to the housing need. Volunteers will assist a building contractor and local volunteers in several possible housing-related projects, including repairs, renovations, new home construction, latrine construction and more.

Some of the construction tasks include:  
  • Fixing doors and windows.
  • Plastering.
  • Constructing floor slabs.
  • Painting.
  • Putting up walls.
  • Excavating the foundation.

Itinerary

  • Saturday: Arrive in Kenya and stay overnight in Nairobi.
  • Sunday: Attend a welcome orientation followed by travel to Laikipia.
  • Monday: Meet the partner families, work on the build site and participate in a social learning exchange activity.
  • Tuesday – Thursday: Spend the day on the build site and break for lunch.
  • Friday: Spend most of the day on the build site followed by a home dedication and farewell gathering to celebrate the week’s accomplishments.
  • Saturday: Travel back to Nairobi hotel.
  • Sunday: Depart Kenya.

Accommodations and meals

Volunteers will stay in double-occupancy rooms at a hotel. Single-occupancy rooms are available by request for an additional charge. Please contact your team leader to request a single-occupancy room. Meals will vary slightly from day to day. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel. Lunches will be served on the build site on workdays and dinner will be at the hotel, local restaurant or arranged by the country program.
 

Team leader

Since Annette Holdman’s first Global Village build to El Salvador in 2011, international builds have become a way of life for her. She loves the tangible nature of the work — the satisfaction of seeing walls go up, the excitement of helping a family move closer to a decent place to live and the connections formed among team members and the families and communities they work with during the build. To learn more about this build, please contact Annette at [email protected].
 

How to register for this build

Step 1: Review Global Village FAQs

Step 2: Contact the team leader to comfirm this build is right for you

Step 3: Register for this build using a link provided by the team leader

Step 4: Submit your nonrefundable deposit or begin fundraising

Disclaimer: Work assignments can involve strenuous physical activity ― sometimes at high altitudes. Team members should be in good physical health when considering a build. For builds that accept youth, volunteers must be 15 to 17 years old and accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or authorized adult.

Global Village FAQs

Do I need construction or language skills? Where will we stay and what type of meals can I expect? Find the answers to these Global Village questions and more.

Return to the Global Village schedule

Looking for a different build or location? Return to the schedule to find other Global Village opportunities.