The first trip to El Salvador I ever attended back in 2018 was one that sparked a passion for service. Since that trip, I have been back 3 more times, and have no plans to stopping. The work I have participated in has been everything from building houses to supporting a community lunch program. It is not just the work that has kept me coming back, but the community that has been built through Building Futures Project. The community of El Salvador and my fellow volunteers have been some of the most meaningful relationships in my life. Through Building Futures Project, I have been able to interact with people of all walks of life, while still experiencing a sense of unity with them through the mission of Building Futures Project. This trip is truly unlike any other and I cannot recommend it enough!
El Salvador is forever in my heart and a place I will always call home. It’s so much more than constructing buildings. It’s showing your heart, being vulnerable and willing, thinking of yourself less so you can serve more, and putting your care for others into action. And somehow, even though it’s not deserved or earned, I promise that along the way, you will receive more than you give. (So you can come back, and give more ;))
If you are passionate about serving others and having a tangible impact, this is the trip for you.
We have the unique opportunity to serve the communities in El Salvador through building structures from the ground up. Building Futures Project is unique because of the way we build. We don’t build how we do in the United States. We build with the process and tools that they have in El Salvador, which helps sustainability and while it may take longer, it is more than worth it. During that time, we get to grow deep roots and relationships with the community. We get to share our hearts, play soccer, tag, eat meals together, listen, and also learn a lot.
Building Futures Project is incredibly passionate about who they serve and the work they do. I think about what we have done and what will be done through this organization every single day.
I hope you join us soon.
Building Futures Project is truly making a difference for the people of El Salvador in more ways than I can count. I have been participating in trips to El Salvador for over 6 years now, and each year has made more of an impact than the last. I have seen houses be built, schools be renovated, and lasting relationships be made.
The connections I have with my fellow trip mates, and with the people and country of El Salvador are unlike any other. Even if you only see your trip mates once a year, and you’re all different ages, and have different personal interests, to know that you are each there for the same purpose provides a sense of togetherness and belonging that is unlike any other group I’ve been a part of. And, for the people of El Salvador to welcome us with such warmth and open arms, and, even with a language barrier, treat us like family is a reminder that we don’t always need words to feel connected and loved.
I have been on this trip 3 different times. Each time I participate is even more special than the last. The community of people in El Salvador are truly the most amazing people I have ever met. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone I know. Building Futures Project is a life-changing organization that does so much good in this world. I am so lucky to have and continue to be a part of it.
As someone who has gone on this trip 3 times, I can truly say this is the most unique and fulfilling service experience I've ever had. My dad and I have had a relationship with the community for years now, and every time we visit we're treated like family. The depth of connections BFP has built with the Salvadoran community, especially in Las Delicias is something I've never seen replicated and is a joy to be a part of. I started going on this trip in high school and I could not recommend it enough for teenagers and young adults. The opportunity to leave the country and see how people elsewhere in the world live and the contrast with our own lives is incredibly eye opening!
I have the privilege of taking student groups to El Salvador and it has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Building Futures Project has had a profound impact—not just on the lives of the students and adults who volunteer, but also on the people they serve. During the service trips, we participate in construction projects, such as building homes for marginalized families in need; however, it’s not just about the physical work; it's about the connections we have built along the way.
One of the most powerful aspects of this experience is visiting the homes in the village of Las Delicias. These visits allow us to step beyond the work site and truly engage with the people we are helping. Sitting in their homes, hearing their stories, and witnessing their strength and resilience has had a profound effect on us all.
Through these hands-on projects and personal interactions, the students not only gain a better understanding of the daily realities faced by people in El Salvador, but they also experience a deeper connection to the world around them. It’s a chance for reflection on the bigger picture - on social justice, human rights, and community resilience.
The impact is immeasurable - it’s a chance for the students to grow as individuals, develop empathy, and see how they can contribute to a more just world. This journey has shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share it with others.
Building Futures has give me opportunity to serve others have some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. In High school my first service trip El Salavdor changed my life and it has been a gift to be able to go back. Building Futures is special because of the long relationships they have with the people in El Salvador. Building Futures serves these communities with love and truly wants to make a difference. Can’t wait to go back this summer!
If you’re reading this, then you’re probably already interested in joining a BFP service trip… but allow me to push that intrigue into a full fledged “sign me up!” I was 17 going on 18 when I went on my first trip to El Salvador. My expectations included working hard and making some new connections, but I never could’ve imagined how my time there would completely change my life. Those short 8 days that I was blessed enough to spend in San Salvador surpassed any and all ideas that I had had about service trips, and showed me firsthand what building a global community truly meant.
I’ll be 26 soon and going on my 7th consecutive trip, with no plans of stopping. The work we do with BFP challenges you to step outside of yourself in order to be of full service to the wonderful communities that we tend to. After seeing the first project I worked on finally reach completion, I can say whole heartedly that we plant seeds in a garden that we do and will continue to see flourish. And I’ll always come back to water it.
The El Salvador alumni mission trip has been one of the single greatest experiences of my lifetime. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate 5 times since 2017, and each trip was better than the last. It has had an impact on my life personally, professionally and spiritually. This experience is powerful in the way that it calls you back at the end of each trip, not just to finish a project, but to reconnect with the beautiful people you build relationships with during your time there. To fully immerse yourself in this trip is to cultivate relationships with your peers, the community you serve, and by pouring your heart and soul into the work. The reason you see so many returning alumni, students and faculty is because of our love for the community, a commitment to finishing the work, and a promise to continue the cultivating the deep relationships you build with the people in such a short period of time. This trip is demanding in that it brings more out of you spiritually, physically and mentally than you thought possible. The El Salvador mission trip redefines what it is to be a steward, and truly calls you to make a lasting impact.
Building Futures has been a cornerstone of my personal journey in service and connection. Since my first mission trip to El Salvador with Good Counsel High School as a senior in 2017, this program has remained a meaningful part of my life. I’ve returned as an alum every year the trip has been offered, joining other alumni—some older, some younger, some I was in high school with, and others I’ve come to know through this shared experience.
What sets Building Futures apart is its emphasis on building genuine, lasting relationships with the communities it serves. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the incredible ways this program uplifts individuals—both in El Salvador and among the volunteers who participate. It’s not just about helping; it’s about empowering and walking alongside others in a shared mission of hope and growth.
I’ve been fortunate to watch this program grow into what is now Building Futures, allowing even more people to experience the good it brings to others and to become part of something bigger than themselves. This organization embodies the spirit of giving, understanding, and mutual respect, making a lasting impact on everyone involved.
If you’re considering supporting Building Futures, know that your contribution will go directly toward creating opportunities and fostering connections that truly make a difference. I’m so grateful to be part of this program and to see it flourish in such meaningful ways. Thank you, Building Futures, for allowing me to be part of this meaningful journey year after year. And, I am looking forward to being a part of it again this summer and many more to come.
I had a great experience with Building Futures Project. As a 15 year educator, I was thrilled at the amount of prep materials and lessons they supplied. While in El Salvador we completed meaningful service that also connected us to the people of the community we served. I will be taking another group this January, it was a great experience.