This mission was a one with a slight difference. It was not about emergency aid to those left homeless and destitute after the earthquake; it’s focus was on cementing relationships with a community that we had already given some help to, and supporting them in their dream of rebuilding their local primary school so their children could restart their education at the soonest opportunity.
They didn’t want to sit around waiting in the hope that either the government or other organisations would eventually turn up to make an assessment and possibly offer help, while their children quickly forgot all they had learned. They had the desire and power to help themselves and supported by Himalayan Quests, this is exactly what they did.
During the planning phase, members of the community took the time to come to Kathmandu to meet with the HQ team and discuss what was needed and how they should go about doing it. Following the instructions they were given, they got permissions from the District Education Office to proceed with the rebuild and headed back to start on the preparations.
Upon arrival, it was blindingly clear just how passionate this small community is about their children’s education.
The site had already been cleared, wooden beams and struts reclaimed and the frame for the school built in readiness for its new tin sheet roof and walls. The quality of the craftsmanship was amazing – everything done with a few basic tools and not a power tool or spirit level in sight!
Working hand in hand the HQ and local team brought the school building back to life and a day and half later were able to hold a reopening ceremony with the teachers, children and parents.
The following morning, it was with happy hearts that they could watch the children, who had been waiting so patiently, skip off to school with their bags on their backs.
While the school was being rebuilt, our tireless Mission doctor, Dr Achyut set up shop and ran a simple health clinic for the community members and educational sessions on health and hygiene best practice.
While relaxing after a long and hard day’s work, an emergency case of a 6 year old girl who had fallen while playing and cracked her head open was rushed to Dr Achyut. Once again out came the medical supplies, and under the newly installed solar power light, he cleaned and stitched her up. Not once did this little girl complain or cry.
A Himalayan thank you to everyone who helped us rebuild this school. You have invested not just in a village school, but in the future of Nepal.
Clearing the debris from around the school
The roof being put in place
Reopening ceremony
Practicing her alphabets and numbers
Happy in their new classroom
Checking on her friend after school
Helping Grandma with the evening meal
The brave little girl who cracked her head open
Being stitched up by Dr Achyut under the new solar light