• 7:00 –  Breakfast/Devotions
• 8:00 –  Build begins
• 12:00 –  Lunch break
• 1:00 –  Build continues
• 6:00 –  Dinner
• 7:00 –  Evening free for R&R and team meetings

You will help us in the construction of the new homes in communities we are building. Much of the volunteer work for these projects includes, but is not limited to, laying blocks, digging foundations, bending rebar, mixing concrete, installing interior drywall, or painting the interior or exterior.

The project sites in El Salvador tend to be large community sites rather than individual homes. Families of various homes will be around during the day helping to build or cook as well as paid workers and sometimes volunteer inmates learning a skill and earning early release.

While it is always helpful to have Spanish speakers on your team, it is not a necessity. Spanish skills on the work-site will always be beneficial but are never required, and those capable of translating will be in the vicinity.  

Groups will stay in modest but decent hotels. Teams in Apaneca will typically stay in the Hostal Las Magnolia or the Hostal y Fonda Iruña. Teams working near San Salvador or transiting through have usually stayed in the Hotel Santa Elena. 

Assuming your team has at least eight or so people, we will get you around in vans that seat about 15. This will include travel between the airport, your housing, the work-site, and any tourism activities.

The hotel you’ll be staying at provided bedding and towels, but you must bring your own washcloth. It’s also helpful to bring things like work gloves, safety glasses, small first aid kits, bugspray, and sunscreen to share with your team. Don’t forget to pack sturdy work clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty. Any sort of small hand tools, like tape measures and trowels, can’t hurt to bring if you’d like.

Most teams stay in El Salvador for about 7 days, giving them 1-2 non-working days. El Salvador has many fun tourism opportunities and/or relaxing activities in which your group can participate. Groups in the past have visited a volcano, went zip lining, and visited the national artisan’s market. Speak to your trip leader about what they may have in mind for your trip. Each trip participant will receive a guidebook that will list various R&R options.

Prices vary based on team size and trip duration, but a standard 1 week trip to El Salvador costs between $1,000 – $1500/person. That price covers lodging, local transportation including airport pick-up, three meals per day, bottled water, travel health insurance, and a contribution toward building materials.  Fees do not include airfare, visa fees, tips, or site-seeing (unless otherwise indicated). 

If looking to bring a group contact globalbuilders@fullercenter.org for more details or submit your trip proposal here. 

Are you unsure of how to prepare for such an experience or just looking for some tips on how to be better prepared? If so, we suggest you take a look at our Trip Preparation page where you will find a lot of helpful information and links – Preparing For Your Trip!