Communities Lead. We Partner. Together we build.
Building solutions that strengthen communities.
Building Humanity partners with communities that have identified a need and a vision for what comes next. We bring together architects, engineers, and volunteers to work alongside local partners and residents to turn that vision into reality. In July 2026, we completed a composting facility and toilet block in Watamu, Kenya. The next phase is already underway.
Who We Are
Built on partnership, guided by community.
Building Humanity partners with communities that have identified a need and a vision for what comes next. We connect volunteer professionals, local leaders, and global partners to deliver sustainable projects that reflect local priorities and support long-term community goals.
Our vision is a world where communities have the resources, partnerships, and opportunities to build the future they envision for themselves.
The Six Pillars
Communities Lead. We Partner. Together we build.
Building Humanity supports community-identified building needs that fall within six pillars, the foundations that make lasting change possible.
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Shelter & Housing
We envision communities where every person has access to safe, secure and affordable shelter. Our projects strengthen dignity, stability and long-term resilience through improved housing infrastructure.
460 people supported through housing
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Nutrition & Healthcare
We envision a world where all people have reliable nutrition, food security and access to affordable, unbiased healthcare. We support community-driven solutions that improve health outcomes and reduce systemic barriers.
3,258 people reached with health and clean water
A further 250 are projected once the Kenya composting toilets are in daily use.
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Families & Children
We envision that every child grows up in a family that loves and supports them unconditionally. Our work uplifts families through environments and programs that promote safety, belonging and opportunity.
51 families strengthened
The Louisiana resiliency center will reach a further 1,098 tribal members once it is built.
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Girls & Women
We envision communities where girls and women have equal rights, equal opportunities and the support needed to thrive. We undertake projects that expand access, safety, education and economic empowerment for women and girls.
55 girls and women reached each year
Forty-five girls a year through the Sacred Valley Project and ten women employed at the Felix Family Bakery. Still under-reported: participant counts from Pollinate Energy are yet to come.
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Education
We envision universal access to quality education. We partner with communities to create learning environments and resources that strengthen knowledge, creativity and lifelong opportunity.
935 students reached every year
A further 1,400 people are projected through the Kenya composting and sanitation training program.
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Economic Growth & Stability
We envision communities where every person has the skills, tools and support needed to build a secure and stable livelihood. Our projects promote entrepreneurship, workforce development and long-term economic resilience.
500 farmers supported through sustainable agriculture
Alongside $74,000+ of design and technical services donated, and women-led enterprises supported across several countries.
Kenya, Moving into Year Two
In July 2026, Building Humanity and our local partner RegisTree completed a permanent composting facility and on-site composting toilet in Watamu, Kenya. That project marked the first year of a three-year partnership focused on expanding access to safe, sustainable sanitation.
Year two brings that work into the wider community, supporting sanitation improvements at public sites throughout Watamu. We are looking for volunteers to join the next build. No construction experience is required, just a willingness to learn, contribute, and work alongside the community.
Our Projects
From local priorities to lasting impact.
Schools, clinics, homes, water systems, and sanitation facilities. Every project begins with a locally identified need, is developed with community partners, designed by volunteer professionals, and built alongside the people who will use it for years to come.
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Madagascar 2026
Eagle Wings Montessori Water Infrastructure
A solar pump and running water for a school that had been built without either, ending three years of fetching water from a well by hand.
50 students and 11 staff
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Kenya 2026
RegisTree Composting Facility
A permanent, climate-resilient black soldier fly composting facility and a pilot composting toilet for a female-led social enterprise turning food waste into local jobs, compost and safe sanitation.
with RegisTree
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In progress
United States 2024–2025
Community & Resiliency Center
Schematic design and feasibility studies for a community center that doubles as a resiliency and recovery center for the greater community after a disaster, alongside EPA grant writing.
1,098 tribal peoples, within a greater community of 9,380
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Tanzania 2024
Eternal Family Build
A new home for one set of adoptive parents and the ten children in their care, plus a feasibility study for solar power at the village.
140 children across 11 families, and 12 more children in the new twelfth home
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Ghana 2020
The Green Clinic Build
Financial assistance to complete an eco-smart Community Health Promotion Centre, and a schematic design for a composting toilet facility to follow.
3,200 people a year
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Peru 2019
Sacred Valley Project Build
A greenhouse for a dormitory that lets girls from remote Andean communities stay in secondary education, plus design schemes for a bakery and store.
45 girls a year
Why Join Us
Real expertise. Real communities. Real impact.
Building Humanity is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Every project is initiated by a local community or partner, supported by volunteer professionals, and managed with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact.
Professional Expertise
Transparency & Accountability
Community-Focused Impact
Seventeen Years of Builds
Romania, India, Thailand, Ghana, Peru, Tanzania, Louisiana and Kenya. A look at the work and the people behind it.
Film
A look at our work in Thailand
More People, More Impact
Since 2008, our work has followed a simple principle: listen first, build together, and support solutions that communities can sustain long into the future.
Every project begins with a request from a community or local partner. We work together to identify priorities, opportunities, and practical solutions.
We collaborate with local tradespeople, use locally available materials whenever possible, and focus on projects that can be maintained and supported by the community for years to come.
Volunteers and local residents work side by side throughout the project, building partnerships and friendships that often continue long after construction is complete.
In Their Own Words
From community leaders to first-time volunteers, these are the voices behind the projects, partnerships, and lasting impact of Building Humanity.
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Community partner
Water is a blessing in life. We are a small school based in Antananarivo, Madagascar, we finished building the school in 2023, we did not have any running water since then. Then, a friend introduced us to Erin Colshan, and via her, we got a fundraising from Building humanity.
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It is now part of our school history, as we got funded and now have water at school. It used to be a dream, and now it’s realized. Fifty children and 7 teachers, two librarians and two logisticians will benefit from the running water at our school.
The guard/gardener, he does not have to fetch water for everyone at school any longer. He used to fetch water from the well many times in one day, now, there is tap water right next to the school wall fence.
The running water started on Friday 14th of August, 2026, and our school staff and children will be back in September. They will be happy to see and use the running water, and we believe it will have a great impact on everyone’s motivation.
This solar pump funding is making a big difference in our school. We are grateful for Building Humanity. We believe all their projects share happiness to others and are making a big difference.
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Volunteer
My first trip with this wonderful organisation was in 2016, to Caminul Felix in Romania with a number of colleagues from across the world. As the orphanage is constantly growing and developing, we worked on a number of projects and I gained so much experience of problem solving and physically building something. The best part of the trip was the opportunity to really connect with both the families and the wider community in which they live, visiting the local town as well as a Romany gypsy camp and state orphanage. We spent our evenings with the families in the village, learning about the community, getting to know the children and playing games in the evening sun. I have continued my involvement with the orphanage by arranging donations of clothing and toys to be sent over as Christmas gifts in 2016 and 2017 and hope to continue this in 2018.
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At the end of the trip, emotions were running high and so when the trip to Thailand came up in 2018, I didn’t hesitate to book myself a place! Another wonderful experience, this time we worked on a larger project, leaving behind a wonderful legacy and setting up the Felix Family village with a means to create income and support themselves in the future.
My time away with Building Humanity has made me a lot more appreciative of the things most people take for granted, and shaped the way I deal with problems in my everyday life and I can’t wait for the next opportunity.
For anyone interesting in taking part in a similar trip, I would say go for it. The feeling you get from this type of hands on work, seeing the impact you are making and how much joy you can bring to communities like this, along with the team spirit and enthusiasm whilst working together towards such an amazing end goal is truly an incredible experience.
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Volunteer
I really don’t know where to begin with explaining how amazing the Thailand Orphanage Build experience was. The enthusiasm and sense of team from the group of volunteers from the very beginning was so evident. Despite the very hot temperatures and humidity that most of us were not used to at all, every single member of the group would always put their best foot forward and keep up the morale in the group. Whether we were singing along to radio whilst brick-laying, or playing basketball with the children of the Orphanage after a long day of manual labour, spirits were kept high throughout the build. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and to work as a team.
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Having never been to Asia before, or really taken part in any manual labour at all, the whole experience was a very foreign one for me, which made it even more exciting. I was away from my comfort zone and desk-job in the UK, so was unsure of what to expect from this experience. The country of Thailand was one that I would go back to in a heartbeat, the Thai people were so kind and welcoming, and the scenery was stunning. Despite the excitement of travelling to a new country, the highlight of the experience for me was the Orphanage Build itself. It was so interesting to learn new skills – from bricklaying to basketball court-painting – and the appreciation from those who lived and ran the Orphanage was incredibly rewarding.
From beginning to end we could see that we were really able to make a difference on this trip. I could not recommend Building Humanity more highly, and would encourage anyone who is interested in taking part in any of the upcoming projects to pack a pair of work boots and catch that flight - you will not regret it!
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Volunteer
Going into this trip, I knew this would be a tremendous opportunity to get hands-on experience. What I did not anticipate was the comradery and friendships I would develop...with individuals involved in the day-to-day operations of the Felix Family Center.
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Although meeting such talented and passionate designers and engineers from all over the world was an experience in itself, meeting the children and families that would use the bakery we were building made the project even more profound.
My time at the Felix Family Center was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life—it makes one humble, thankful and appreciative of all the things most people take for granted.
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Volunteer
I was able to gain as much as I was able to give. These children have already faced so many challenges in their short lives, so being able to just give them something to allow them to be children and have fun was important to me. . It was truly amazing to see the children come home from school and run to play on the new basketball court that we built for them.
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It was also very rewarding to me to see my “on the fly” problem solving skills and knowledge of construction contributing to the success of the project. To see our hard work having a positive and immediate impact on these young children gave me a sense of fulfillment that is amazing...These children are the future of Thailand, and I hope that doing this for them now will be paid forward by them to future generations.
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Volunteer
My experience working at the Felix Family Center was much more than I expected. Not only did I build masonry walls, but I built relationships with the children and parents there.
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The biggest impact the experience had for me was seeing the joy we brought to the children and parents. It touched my heart that such a small project could bring so much joy to so many people. I definitely plan on doing another project with Building for Humanity.
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Volunteer
I’m glad to be a part of this experience and thankful of the teams from USA, England and other countries to fly all the way to Thailand and help on building the bakery house and basketball court to benefit kids of Felix Family Foundation Thailand.