The People Who Make It Possible: buildOn’s Global Staff
At buildOn, we don’t just build schools. We build with people. And the people leading the way across every community where we work, from the deserts of Mali to the mountains of Guatemala, are the nearly 1,200 incredible members of our Global staff.
This team isn’t just made up of translators or facilitators. It includes engineers, masons, educators, and cooks. Together, they’re mentors to students, partners to local leaders, and trusted allies to every community we serve.
And they’re the reason buildOn is able to do this work ethically, sustainably, and in true partnership in all of the communities we work with across the globe.
Why We Hire Locally
Across our global programs, we are proud to hire local staff from the very communities we partner with. Here’s why that matters:
1. They speak the language and understand the context
From Chichewa in Malawi to Q’eqchi’ in Guatemala, our staff speak the languages of the communities they serve. This eliminates barriers and allows us to listen deeply, understand local needs, and act in solidarity, not assumption.
2. They bring lived experience
Many of our team members grew up in similar circumstances to the students and families they now work with. Their insights go beyond anything you can learn in a textbook or a training. They understand the obstacles and opportunities our communities experience firsthand.
“Growing up as a kid, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend classes in a nice, decent school,” explains Danilo Llanes, buildOn Regional Director for the Americas. “So I like to be able to build them in buildOn communities. It’s so wonderful to see the before and after transformation.”
3. They model what’s possible
Whether it’s a woman leading a Trek in Nepal or a mason training the next generation of builders in Nicaragua, our staff show young people what leadership looks like. Especially for girls, seeing women in respected professional roles can change what they believe is possible for their own futures. Our Country Director in Burkina Faso, Jocelyne Tenkouano, serves as a strong role model for younger girls: “We are still struggling for the education of girls and for parents to see women role models and be convinced that they must invest in their girls. As a Country Director, when I go to communities and the community members, especially the women, see that I am a woman and that the Field Coordinators that are all men work under the supervision of Rolande (a female Construction Manager) and myself, it gives them hope for their girls and they become convinced that they need to enroll their girls so that one day they can be like us.”
4. They drive real economic impact
Hiring locally means creating good jobs for the community. From cooks to drivers to program officers, our team includes dozens of full-time staff members who contribute to their local economies. We also purchase all construction materials locally, keeping our investment rooted in the community.
What Our Global Staff Do
You might see them on Trek, helping students navigate cultural exchange and construction. Or you might never see them at all as they work to handle impact data, budgets, or lesson plans behind the scenes. But visible or not, every role matters!
Here are just a few of the essential roles on our Global team:
- Engineers who design safe, durable schools.
- Adult Literacy and Enroll Program Facilitators who teach reading, math, and life skills.
- Trek Leaders & Directors who guide buildOn supporters through immersive school-building experiences.
- Masons and Skilled Laborers who bring each school to life, brick by brick.
- Finance Officers who manage funds with transparency and care.
- Drivers and Cooks who keep our teams moving, fed, and focused.
- Impact Officers who track our outcomes and ensure we stay accountable.
- Translators who make sure every conversation is grounded in mutual understanding.
The Faces of Our Movement
Our movement is made up of many different faces, and all of them hold important roles. Together, they’re firing on all cylinders to build schools, invest in local leadership, create real jobs and equity, and transform communities.
We couldn’t do this work without them. And we wouldn’t want to!
Want to See Our Global Team in Action?
Get out into the field and meet our staff by going on a buildOn Trek! We run Treks in five of our partner countries—Guatemala, Nicaragua, Malawi, Nepal, and Senegal. Start your journey today by filling out the form on this page.