Construction volunteering: how to start helping this weekend

You arrive on a Saturday morning, you don't know how to hold a trowel, and two hours later you're passing bricks in a human chain while a child asks you your name. That's how it starts, for almost everyone. construction volunteering With Hepacom. You don't need to know anything about construction: most people who come here just need to be present, and that's enough to get started.

In Colombia, the DANE It is estimated that 25.61% of households live in housing deficits: that's 4.8 million families, and three out of four of those cases are qualitative, meaning the homes exist but need improvement. That's where a couple of extra hands on the weekend can make a real difference.

What does a construction volunteer do?

The short answer: whatever it takes that day. construction volunteering It doesn't require any prior experience or your own tools. When you arrive, someone from the team will show you the task right away and guide you until you get the hang of it.

Typical tasks are simple and quick to learn:

• Mix materials and pass them on to those who are on the construction site.
• Painting walls that are already up.
• Help with floors.
• Accompanying the children of the family while the adults work.

Not everyone ends up with cement on their hands, and that's okay. Sometimes the most valuable contribution of the day is playing with three kids so their parents can work in peace. If you'd like to see what projects we're currently working on, you can check out our projects before you sign up.

What to bring on the day of the event

This is all you need to pack, and it's not much. Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty, a hat, sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated. We work in the sun for a good part of the time, so sunscreen and a hat are essential, no matter how cloudy the morning starts.

Everything else—materials, tools, instructions—is provided by Hepacom. You don't need to buy anything or bring any equipment. If you have any specific questions before you go, send us a WhatsApp message at +57 300 143 7951 and we'll help you out.

Why construction volunteering is worthwhile

We believe that volunteering in construction is one of the most honest ways to help, because you see the results the same day. It's not a transfer that disappears into an account: it's a wall that wasn't there before, a floor that's no longer just dirt, a family that sleeps differently that night.

Something else happens that's hard to explain until you experience it. You go thinking you're going to give, and you come back feeling like you've received. The days bring together people who didn't know each other at all, and they end up sharing lunch. We don't plan that part; it just happens.

How to join Hepacom in 3 steps

Signing up is easier than the show itself. We've broken it down into three steps so no one gets left out because they don't know where to start:

1. Write to us. Send us a message via WhatsApp at +57 300 143 7951 or email us at contactanos@hepacom.org saying that you want to be volunteer of construction.
2. We coordinated a date. We'll tell you when and where the next session is, and you confirm if you can make it that day.
3. You arrive and you build. Come dressed comfortably, with a hat, sunscreen, and water. You'll learn everything else there.

If you don't have time for an in-person session this month, you can still maintain a project from home with a donation. Building decent housing requires hands, but it also requires materials.

what each volunteer does according to what they can contribute

If you're unsure whether this is for you, this summary shows that there's a place for everyone: from those who want to work on the project to those who prefer to support. No task requires prior experience; you'll learn as you go.

Task	What are you doing	Who is it ideal for?
Mix and pass materials	You prepare the mixture and bring it closer to the work.	For those who want simple physical activity
Painting walls	You finish walls that have already been built	Someone who prefers a quiet task
Help with floors	You rest it on the subfloor or the finish	Anyone who wants to see a concrete result
Accompanying the children	You play with the family's children	Who contributes the most from a human perspective?

The team assigns you the task based on what makes you feel comfortable on the day of the workday.

Common mistakes before a day of volunteering

• Believing that experience or tools are needed: Hepacom provides the materials and teaches you on the spot; you only need to bring yourself.
• Going without sun protection: You work outdoors for a good part of the day, so a hat, sunscreen and water are not optional.
• Thinking that only hard work is useful: Accompanying children so that their parents can advance is also a real contribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need construction experience to volunteer?

No. Everything is taught on the spot, and there's always someone from the team with you. Most people arrive having never touched a piece of construction work in their lives and finish the day perfectly.

What do I need to bring?

Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Hepacom provides all the materials and tools; you don't need to buy or bring anything.

Can I go if I don't want to do heavy work?

Yes. There are tasks for all paces, from painting to helping the children in the family. You tell us what you feel comfortable with and we'll coordinate from there.

How do I sign up?

Contact us via WhatsApp at +57 300 143 7951 or email us at contactanos@hepacom.org. We'll confirm the date of the next session, and that's it!.

If you've read this far, you're probably already somewhat involved. Take the next step: write to us today and join as volunteer from construction to the next Hepacom day.

This guide is part of our Complete guide to decent housing in Colombia, where we bring together how to access housing and how to help another family have their own.