Education Africa
Social Architecture
Education Africa
Social Architecture
We deliver new and improved pre-school buildings and infrastructure throughout Southern Africa. Our projects enable communities and practitioners to register their pre-school with the Department for Basic Education as government recognised pre-schools, opening the door to support and recognition.
Our projects are either volunteer projects, built and funded by volunteers, or delivered in partnership with a project sponsor.
20
preschools completed since 2005
Volunteer Projects
Our Volunteer Projects are delivered by volunteers from all ages, backgrounds, and all over the world, working alongside the Social Architecture team to build a pre-school. Volunteer contributions cover in-country costs AND funding for the new pre-school.
Typically volunteer projects occur in August and in January of each year. Most volunteers sign up for two weeks, and our projects are completed in four weeks.
We are currently recruiting participants of any background with any skillset to join us on site in August 2025.
What do volunteers do?
Travel
Traveling, Exploring, and Meeting fellow adventurers and leaving behind a positive social impact. Join one of our builds and experience the beauty of rural South Africa's nature, people, and culture.
Build
Build a pre-school that inspires kids at the very begining of their education. The government estimates 100,000 preschools are needed in South Africa to meet future demands. Help us build part of the future.
Create Impact
Investing in early years education has shown to have more impact than at any other time of a child's life. We have built more than 20 schools, all of which are still full of happy children, years later.
Since 2004
60
pre-school classrooms delivered by volunteers
12,000+
Children with better access to
Early Childhood Development
1000+
Dedicated volunteers on site
Testimonials
Juilette
student
"This taught me about the ripple effects a building can have on its community. You finish each day exhausted but satisfied. I look back on the whole experience with extreme fondness. Your colleagues become friends, whilst feeling you are achieving something of great importance."
Claire
architect
It was a truly wonderful experience and one which I will never forget. I learned so much and I had a lot of fun.
Sam
educator
“I had a unique experience unlike anything else I had experienced. It taught me about teamwork, introduced me to different cultures and developed my soft skills.
Since my time on the project, it has opened so many doors for me professionally and I would encourage any student to get involved.”
IMPACT
20 years - 20 preschools
“The highest rate of return in early childhood development comes from investing as early as possible, from birth through age five”
—James J. Heckman, December 7, 2012
Sponsored Projects
Our sponsored projects are available to any organisation committed to making a life changing impact on young people.
The Social Architecture team will develop a bespoke offering to guarantee social impact with any sponsoring organisation.
We are able to deliver projects, or create tailored on-site experiences for your organisation and contributors.
Our Projects Rely on
Donations
We accept and thrive on donations of money, building materials, expertise and support.
Participants
Join us on one of our Education Africa build projects. No previous skills needed - just you and a sense of adventure.
Sponsors
Are you part of an organisation that wants to fund an entire school? You can take part in the building, or leave that to us.
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