Respectful partnerships supporting local development in Africa
Supplementary volunteer capacity for education and health projects.
JOH:MO (Joining Operational Hands: Manpower Offered) is a Danish NGO working to strengthen development projects in Africa and other countries through practical action, voluntary engagement, and respectful collaboration with local partners.
We believe that sustainable development is created when international resources support – not replace – local capacity. That is why we mobilize and deploy motivated volunteers from Denmark and other countries who can contribute directly to construction projects such as schools, orphanages, and other community-critical facilities.
Joining Operational Hands – Manpower Offered: Assistance in constructing, reparing, renovating, teaching or other local needs
JOH:MO offers partner organizations and foundations a unique and cost-effective resource:
- A dedicated volunteer with hands-on construction or teaching experience
- Works free of charge for an agreed period
- Acts as additional manpower within the existing local team
- Reports directly to the local project site manager or assists the local teacher team
- Assists with daily tasks wherever the need is
- Building bridge between the volunteer and the NGO or a local organisation.
Our volunteers do not hold overall project or teaching responsibility, but function as flexible construction assistants and reliable team members on site or as assisting side by side the teacher.
Respect for local communities is a core principle
We are deeply aware of our role. JOH:MO’s contribution is always supplementary.
We do not take jobs away from local communities – on the contrary, we strengthen projects by adding extra hands, skills, and continuity, helping local craftsmen, project teams and teachers.
JOH:MO takes responsibility – including funding assistance
To keep partnerships simple and transparent, JOH:MO always try to seek funding to cover most costs related to the volunteer, including:
- Travel expenses
- Required vaccinations
- Travel insurance
- Food during the stay
We only ask that the partner organization or local counterpart assists with safe accommodation during the agreed period – i.e. with a local family or through an existing housing solution. Should it not be possible to find funding or donations to cover these expenses, the volunteers will pay for these costs by themselves. JOH:MO does not – in any way – earn money on any of these projects.
Together, we add commitment and human capacity
When you collaborate with JOH:MO, you gain more than extra manpower.
You gain a committed partner guided by the values of:
- Respect
- Dedication
- Local ownership
- Practical action
- Collaboration
Are you an NGO, foundation, or project partner with an ongoing construction project in Africa?
Let us start a non-binding dialogue about how we can support your work.