In 2027, Mellon Educate will celebrate its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of volunteers coming together to change lives and communities in South Africa.
We’re planning a Building Blitz worthy of the occasion!
The 2027 Building Blitz will bring the Mellon Educate community together once again for an unforgettable week of hard work, friendship and impact – building and improving educational facilities for children in communities where they are needed most.
We expect demand for the 2027 Blitz to be extremely high and places to fill very quickly.
All volunteers, whether you have travelled with Mellon Educate before or are joining us for the first time, must complete a 2027 application form.
Previous participation in a Building Blitz does not automatically secure a place.
If you would like to join us in 2027, we strongly recommend completing your application as early as possible.
VOLUNTEER
TBC
Please note targets for UK exclude flight costs.
VOLUNTEER (FLIGHTS AT VOLUNTEERS OWN EXPENSE)
TBC
NORTHERN IRELAND (FLIGHTS INCLUDED) TBC
VOLUNTEER
TBC
Whether you’re hoping to return to the Blitz or experience it for the first time, register your interest as early as possible.
Places will be limited and, with 2027 marking Mellon Educate’s 25th anniversary, we anticipate one of the strongest responses in our history.
The Mellon Educate Building Blitz is a one-week volunteer experience that brings hundreds of people together to help transform schools and educational facilities in underserved communities in South Africa.
Since 2002, thousands of volunteers from Ireland, the UK, the US, South Africa and beyond have joined us, giving their time, energy and determination to create better educational environments for children.
No construction experience is needed.
What we need is enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to roll up your sleeves.
During Blitz Week, volunteers work side-by-side to build and renovate classrooms and other vital school facilities. But the Blitz has always been about more than bricks and mortar.
It is about people.
It is about community.
And ultimately, it is about giving children the opportunity of a better education and a brighter future.
Many volunteers come once and catch the famous “Blitz bug”. Others have returned year after year, forming friendships and memories that have lasted decades.
In 2027, we bring that community together to celebrate 25 extraordinary years and begin the next chapter.
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 2027 Building Blitz, certain parts of the fundraising target, such as the €/£/$ 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 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 2027, 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 2027 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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