Our Mission and Vision

We focus on finding construction techniques that are affordable, user-friendly, and do not require specific construction skills. We use locally sourced and readily available materials.

Our long-term goal is to benefit local communities by empowering them with new skills and building methods that are practical and cost-effective, and that can be replicated independently whenever required.

Where we act

We commenced our activities in Senegal (where two of the charity’s founders are from) in regions where only 50% of school-age children have access to education and where classrooms are often crammed with up to 80 students per class due to the limited number of structures. Senegal is ranked 164th out of 189 countries in the most recent UN Human Development Index report. Despite being one of the most politically and economically stable countries on the African continent, the country has a low literacy rate of about 43% and low enrolment rates in primary and secondary schools; 38% of primary school cohorts dropout before reaching secondary education. As a result, many children in Senegal fall victim to child labor, begging or street selling; it is estimated that around 100,000 Senegalese children roam the streets, begging for money and food. According to SOS Children’s Village, an organization working in Senegal since 1976, although the situation is improving in the country, the challenge now is to enable girls to remain in school once they are enrolled (thousands are still being forced into domestic labor as soon as they are old enough to do work). The fallout of the education crisis on society includes economic distress, violence and crime, civic disengagement and struggling communities. In consequence of the issues stated, we decided to focus on the educational aspect and build schools in severely lacking areas to give a chance to every child for a better future and participate in the economical development of their country.

How we work

We replace fragile, temporary classrooms with permanent schools in areas lacking proper educational infrastructure. Constructed from locally sourced and recycled materials like tires and sandbags, our schools act as a research lab for innovative, low-cost construction techniques. Identifying and applying these methods is crucial, empowering communities with practical and cost-effective skills. Our clear instructional booklets support construction workers, students, and curious minds, fostering collaboration for long-term community benefits. We build ownership from the start, training individuals to become valuable resources for their villages.

In some villages, classrooms are crammed with up to 80 students per classroom due to the scarcity of schools. So we begin by investigating the site and learning about the educational needs and existing facilities in each area. Because each area and site require a specific plan of action, we have a standard four-step process in place:

1. We investigate the needs of the village. 

2. We identify the available materials on site and explore possible techniques of construction suitable for the climatic conditions. 

3. We share the construction process with the local community so they can build with us, and  replicate as required.

4. We build the school and classrooms together and deliver a fresh environment to teach and learn.