Amrit and his team have just left for Pangarphu the Tamang village in Gumba VDC, Sindapulchowk we were previously unable to reach, due to massive landslides triggered by the May 12 quake.
This is a slightly different mission. Yes, we are going with tarps alongside tin sheets for shelter, and yes we have some food and hygiene supplies for them. However, the main reason behind this mission is to work with the locals to help them build drop-pit toilets to ensure that health and hygiene standards are maintained regardless of their situation.
When the village was wiped out in the initial huge April 25th earthquake, the toilets went too leaving the villagers no option other than open defecation. With the monsoons as little as two weeks away, it is important to create hygienic toileting facilities for the 200 households (approx 1000 people) to limit the possibility of a massive diarrhoea and sickness outbreak.
Alongside the toilet building, our medical team will also be running a basic health screening camp and running health and hygiene sessions with the villagers.
With temporary shelter, working toilets and their health, it is our hope that these villagers can turn their energies to first harvesting their wheat crop and then planting their summer corn and vegetable crops in readiness for the monsoon rains, so they are able to sustain themselves throughout the rest of the year.
A Himalayan thank you to everyone who has contributed to this mission, whether financially, through the provision of goods or manpower.
Loading tin sheets on to the bus
The “Toilet Team” ready for the off