Sand Dams Worldwide offers a range of expeditions where you can get involved in building a sand dam. It's hard work - but there's a job to suit every ability, and what better way to learn about the miracle of sand dams than to go and build one yourself?
On an expedition with Sand Dams Worldwide, you’ll stay in a small Kenyan town, learn about people's daily life, their challenges and hopes. You’ll join them in building a sand dam and see for yourself just how it’s done and what it means. Your efforts in supporting the build of a sand dam (providing nearby lifelong access to water to the community) will be rewarded with an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life and make a real difference for a rural community in Kenya.
Most travellers to Kenya don't get the chance to take part in a trip like this. So, whether you're looking for a gap year challenge, a break with a difference, a different way to donate, or a way to get your company involved - an expedition could be just the thing for you.
To find out more, read our expedition FAQs, or email [email protected] if you're interested in joining our next expedition.
In February 2026, a group of volunteers teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide, Koy Clothing and our local partner, Africa Sand Dam Foundation to support a community in Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam was funded by Koy Clothing and their wonderful customers, and will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. Read more
In March 2025, Sand Dams Worldwide and a group of volunteers from Jersey, as part of the Jersey Overseas Aid Community Works Project 2025, teamed up to support community members from Kenya to build a sand dam. Read more
Hear from the volunteers, Uiini community members and local partners from our September 2024 sand dam expedition in Kenya. Read more
Sand Dams Worldwide and a group of volunteers teamed up to support community members from Kithumba self-help group in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. Hear what the volunteers, community and local partners had to say about the experience! Read more
In June 2023, Sand Dams Worldwide and a group of volunteers from Jersey, as part of the Jersey Overseas Aid Community Works Project 2023, teamed up to support community members from Kenya to build a sand dam. Read more
Sand Dams Worldwide and a group of volunteers teamed up to support community members from Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local, lifelong supply of clean water, transforming lives and land for generations to come. Read more
Jersey Overseas Aid Community Works Project volunteers and Sand Dams Worldwide team up once again to support a community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam that will help transform lives for generations with clean water. Read more
Hear from the Sand Dams Worldwide volunteers who worked together to support the Muka self-help group build a sand dam. Read more
Jersey Overseas Aid volunteers and community members share highlights from the construction of a sand dam they worked together to build in southeast Kenya in September 2019. Read more
Barclays Isle of Man volunteers and community members share highlights from the construction of a sand dam they worked together to build in southeast Kenya in September 2018. Read more
Hear from the Sand Dams Worldwide volunteers and community members who worked together to build a sand dam in southeast Kenya in July 2018. Read more
Here are some of the most common questions about our sand dam expeditions. And we've done our best to answer them for you! Read more
In 2014, nine supporters travelled out to Kenya to help the Athiani Farmers' self-help group build a sand dam. Read more
In May 2013, a group of volunteers travelled to Kenya to help build a sand dam with the Mutethya self-help group. The expedition was organised in partnership with TRAIN, a youth work charity that supports vulnerable young people in the UK. Read more
In this film, find out what happened when we teamed up with ethical adventure travel specialist, Quest Overseas, to support a community to build a sand dam. Quest offers gap year students the opportunity to get hands-on experience of sustainable development. Read more