Join our Building Blitz, a one-week volunteer experience that helps transform the lives of thousands of underprivileged children in South Africa. These children urgently need access to safe, high-quality education, and your support can help make that a reality. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to be part of something truly life-changing, working alongside like-minded people from all walks of life who are passionate about making a real difference.
As Nelson Mandela once said, Mellon Educate’s work is “inspirational” and it’s our volunteers who bring that inspiration to life. Since 2003, thousands of people from Ireland, the UK, the US, and South Africa have joined our school-building projects, many returning year after year after catching the “Blitz bug.” To take part, you’ll need to fundraise, but you won’t do it alone. We offer expert fundraising advice, mentoring, and a global support network to help you reach your goal.
No construction experience? No problem! What we need is your enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to roll up your sleeves. During Blitz Week, you’ll help build classrooms, playgrounds, and sanitation facilities, but you’ll also build lasting friendships. The energy, laughter, and team spirit on-site will carry you through the hard work and leave you with lifelong memories.
The impact is powerful. The smiles of the children, the tears of joy from their parents, and the gratitude in teachers’ eyes are moments you’ll never forget. This isn’t just a trip, it’s a way to give back, gain perspective, and help build a brighter future for children in some of South Africa’s most disadvantaged communities.
Request an email or a call back (optional) for info about upcoming blitz
VOLUNTEER
€5,000
Please note targets for UK exclude flight costs.
VOLUNTEER (FLIGHTS AT VOLUNTEERS OWN EXPENSE)
Stg £3,650
NORTHERN IRELAND (FLIGHTS INCLUDED) Stg£4,400
VOLUNTEER
$5,500
Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows registered charities like Mellon Educate to reclaim tax on eligible donations. It helps us raise vital additional funds to support our education and school-building programmes across Africa. While Gift Aid doesn’t reduce the personal fundraising target of our volunteers, it provides essential income that helps us deliver our mission.
*Please note:
For the 2026 Building Blitz, certain parts of the fundraising target, such as the £1,251 value covering your deposit, flights, accommodation, and celebration event, are classified as a “benefit” to the volunteer and do not qualify for Gift Aid.
What this means: Volunteers, family members, and related companies cannot claim Gift Aid on any payments made toward the £1,251 cost portion of the target.
However, once this cost threshold is reached, any additional donations made by the volunteer, their family, or supporters can be Gift Aided, provided the donor is a UK taxpayer and meets HMRC’s criteria.
To ensure your eligible donations qualify:
Even modest donations can have a greater impact thanks to Gift Aid, helping us to build more classrooms, fund literacy programmes, and train local educators across Africa.
For more details about Gift Aid eligibility, visit HMRC’s Gift Aid page or contact our team at +353 1 494 8200 for guidance on how to maximise your donations.
Ready to change lives through hands-on volunteering? Complete our volunteer application form today to register your interest in joining the Mellon Educate Building Blitz 2026, a one-week mission to help build and renovate schools in disadvantaged communities across South Africa. Once we receive your application, a team member will follow up personally to guide you through the next steps. To confirm your participation in the 2026 Blitz:
Start your application and become part of a life-changing journey to build schools, empower communities, and create lasting impact in Africa.
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