About the Trek for Knowledge
buildOn offers the Trek for Knowledge enrichment program to freshman, sophomore and junior-level high school students, as well as buildOn teacher/advisors, who are actively involved in their school’s buildOn after-school program.
About Trek
Since 1999, more than 1,000 U.S. high school students and teachers have participated in a buildOn Trek. Beyond pouring their hearts into physically demanding work on the construction site, these students and teachers have left a lasting impact on the children, host families and villages where buildOn works around the world.
buildOn offers two participants per school an opportunity to experience a Trek for Knowledge each year, with current destinations in Malawi, Mali and Nicaragua. Each trip takes place during regularly scheduled school breaks in winter/spring and summer and includes approximately two days of travel and 13 days in country.
buildOn students and teachers apply for and are chosen for Trek participation through their school’s buildOn program. Students must be actively involved in their school’s buildOn program and performing regular community service to be eligible for this opportunity.
Each Trek Team consists of 12-18 high school students and teachers from a buildOn region. The teams are lead by two U.S. buildOn staff members and supported by the international staff. buildOn values team diversity and gives students the opportunity to make connections with students in their area that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.
buildOn pays all Trek expenses through generous donations from our supporters; participants are responsible for obtaining a passport, visa and necessary immunizations. Upon return to their own school, each participant is required to prepare and deliver eight presentations describing the experience to fellow students, teachers and others in their community. Rest assured – there is much for them to tell.