Earthquake Response – Nepal Australia Friendship Association

Tawal and Kutal villagers battle early monsoon to successfully complete first phase of classroom rebuild

Russ — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 12:09:59 +0000

Approximately 250 villagers in Kutal and Tawal have put in an extraordinary volunteer effort to lay concrete slabs for the first floor of their two storey classroom blocks. In Kutal it took 100 men and women to complete the slab work and in Tawal, 150 villagers worked for over 13 hours in the rain to lay the slab. Many women worked under umbrellas to prepare the aggregate for the huge amount of concrete needed for the job.

13 hours 150 people working in the rain

In the words of Kanchha (Tawal teacher and NAFA’s liaison person): “After nine month’s hard work we have finished slab of four classrooms. That day was drizzling rain but ignored by all 150 people to that bad monsoon because for their children getting earthquake proved (proof) building”

Sadit (NAFA contracted overseeing engineer) was also impressed with the local effort: “It was great news to learn that casting of the slab in Kutal has completed … Also the good news was the materials we had estimated and stored (cement, sand, iron rods, and aggregates) were sufficient to finish the task. The remaining cement bags from the store now can be used to plaster the inner walls.”

The second phase of the rebuild in the four Dhading district schools that were all completely destroyed in the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake is progressing well, with official openings of the rebuilt school scheduled for February 2019.

We can be rightly proud of the good partnership we have with all the villages we work with in Nepal.

What will NAFA do after earthquake rebuilding is completed in 2018?

Russ — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:14:46 +0000

In mid 2018 NAFA hopes to complete the significant rebuilding commitments it made after the devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015. It will be a big achievement for a small, volunteer run NGO – an achievement of which we can be collectively very proud.

Butterfly child care centre

But what happens then?

Firstly, there we will continue with ongoing projects that NAFA has funded through the earthquake rebuilding period, thanks largely to loyal and generous donors who annually earmark their donations towards particular ongoing projects. Many of these same supporters also donated generously to NAFA’s initial emergency shelter and rice response, and the earthquake rebuilding program for schools and other remote community infrastructure destroyed by the earthquakes.

These ongoing programs include:

Child education sponsorships for students up to Grade 12 and for students either undertaking vocational training or Bachelor level study.
Remote teacher salary subsidies (3)
Subsidy for an annual remote cataract surgery clinic conducted by world renown, Kathmandu-based Tilganga Eye Centre
Remote health clinic salary subsidies (3)
Support to a primary hearing service and outreach clinics
Support to child care services (3) for particularly disadvantaged parents
Purchase of remote school library, computer and other resources
Purchase of materials for craft programs (2).

A total of nearly $50,000 was allocated by NAFA to these ongoing programs in 2016, separate from the significant allocations made towards our earthquake rebuilding program.

NAFA will also be monitoring and evaluating a grant provided by the English Family Foundation to establish a plant nursery and reforestation program in the remote area around the village of Tawal in the Dhading district. This role will involve a complex process of helping the local community measure the outcomes or real benefits of the various components of the grant.

Finally, NAFA will continue to consider applications from remote villages for one-off health, education, environmental, water and other community infrastructure. These may include earthquake rebuild projects in villages not previously supported by NAFA and therefore not on our initial earthquake rebuilding program.

In most cases, as was the case prior to the earthquakes in 2015, NAFA will only be able to support projects that can be accessed by NAFA executive officers within one day’s bus trip from Kathmandu, Pokhara or in villages located in the following districts: Dhading (area around the village of Tawal), lower Solu Khumbu and Okhaldhunga.

NAFA is confident that there will be plenty of programs and projects that it will continue to support in the future that will make a real difference to the lives of particularly disadvantaged Nepali communities.

Rod Setterlund OAM

President

Rebuilding the classrooms in Shyama Dolakha

Russ — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 21:56:01 +0000

Shree Seti Devi Primary School is situated on a hill above the village of Shivalaya and educates children from playgroup to Grade 6.

School after the earthquake

NAFA has been involved with the Shyama school since 2011 when they funded the building of three toilets and the renovation of 4 classrooms. They also assisted the school by providing funds for the school committee to lay pipes to bring water to the school. This played a vital role in the school, the teachers commented that after the installation of the water infrastructure they noticed a reduction in absenteeism and the health of the children had improved.

The epicentre of the second earthquake in May 2015 was in the Dolakha area, this destroyed the classrooms, office and toilets. NAFA committed to assist the school by rebuilding 5 classrooms – the headmaster Ngawa Sherpa assured NAFA he would find the funding for the other two classrooms and the toilets.

Sabin explaining the architect drawings to the Shyama builders

The school committee hired local builders and labourers to clear the site of debris making it ready for construction once the earthquake resistant plans were approved by the Nepalese government. The education of the students needed to continue so they erected temporary classrooms constructed from the wood and tin salvaged from the rubble as well as walls of grass matting

Sabin Shrestha, the architect, accompanied Ross and Brenda Hazelwood to visit the school in late 2015. Sabin had been engaged to draw up the earthquake resistant classroom plans for all the NAFA supported schools. Sabin felt the visit was worthwhile as this gave him a better understanding of the remoteness and conditions of these isolated schools. He was able to take this into account when drawing up the plans.

The school principal and the local builders were very interested in seeing his vision for the new classrooms and how they would be constructed.

Construction showing the cement lintel band

Once the plans were approved by the Nepalese government in October 2016, four builders from each of the four schools in the eastern districts attended a 7 day earthquake resistant building workshop. NAFA engaged two engineers and a stonemason to conduct the training to skill up the local builders in the new building techniques.

The builders, with their newly acquired skills began preparing the foundations in December 2016. To ensure the construction met the new guidelines, NAFA hired a local engineer, Surendra Budhatoki to oversee the construction of the classrooms in three villages. He was on hand to assist in the laying of the foundations, through the various stages of construction and finally when the roof truss was being installed. The engineer provided regular reports on the progress of the construction. The school principal was very pleased with the different stages the rebuilding of the school and kept NAFA up to date with photos of the different stages of construction.

Three classroom block almost completed

The first 3 classrooms were completed in August 2017. At the start of construction in January 2017 the tenacious builders were faced with very cold weather and snow conditions and then towards the end of the construction they worked through the hot and wet monsoon.

The second stage of construction of the last 2 classrooms began in September 2017 and is expected to be completed in December.

NAFA would like to thank the Nepalese Association of Queensland (NAQ) for their donation of $18,000 towards the construction of these classrooms.

Ross Hazelwood

Project Co-ordinator

Classrooms in Kophu school, lower Solu Khumbu rebuilt

Russ — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 21:55:06 +0000

Over 180 students attend Shree Rampur Lower Secondary School which has 10 classrooms and an office and educates children from playgroup up to year 8.

Completing the foundations

NAFA started assisting this school in 2009 when we funded the building of 2 new classrooms and installation of equipment for the classrooms.

In the second earthquake in 2015 two old classroom buildings were badly damaged and in need of rebuilding. The school advised they would be able to obtain assistance to rebuild one block while they requested NAFA to assist with the rebuilding of the other 3 classroom building. NAFA committed to help this school with this rebuilding.

Preparing the timber with hand tools

NAFA representatives visited the school in late 2015 to see the damage and Sabin Shrestha, a local Nepalese architect drew up the new earthquake resistant plans which were accepted by the Nepalese government in October 2016.

After attending an earthquake resistant training course on new methods of construction the local builders began work on the foundations of the 3 classrooms which was overseen by a local engineer, Surendra Budhatoki, engaged by NAFA.

He oversaw the construction from the marking out of the foundations, through the different stages of building and finally when the roof truss was completed.

Completed three classroom block

Apart from the regular visits from the engineer, NAFA representatives visited the site in December 2016 and again in January 2017. The engineer and the school committee provided NAFA with regular reports and photos on the progress of the building.

Nine months after starting work the 3 classrooms were completed in September. NAFA recognises the hard work the builders and school committee have done to complete the building.

NAFA would like to thank the Armidale Central Rotary Club and the Armidale University Cricket Club for their donation of $11,040 towards the construction of these classrooms.

Ross Hazelwood

Project Co-ordinator

Classrooms in Patle, Okhaldhunga rebuilt

Russ — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 21:54:00 +0000

Over 340 students attend Shree Patle Higher Secondary School which has 15 classrooms and an office and educates children from playgroup up to year 10.

Preparing the land and retaining walls

NAFA first assisted this school in 2009 with tin roofing to help them complete a new 3 classroom block. In 2010 they received funds for three school toilets and a water tap and in 2014 NAFA assisted in the construction of 4 new classrooms.

Completed retaining wall

In the second earthquake in 2015 the one double story building was destroyed and the 4 classroom block sustained damage. Both required rebuilding, totalling 8 classrooms. The other existing classrooms required repair for minor damage and some retro-fitting to meet the new government guidelines. NAFA committed to help this school with their rebuilding and repairs.

The school committee hired local builders and labourers to clear the site of debris to make it ready to commence construction once plans were approved. They also constructed temporary classrooms for the students from materials they salvaged from the destroyed classrooms such as wood and tin roofing. These temporary classrooms had dirt floors and were very inadequate as this village is very cold in winter.

A fresh site measuring 30 metres x 10 metres had to be cleared for one of the new four classroom blocks. The community worked together volunteering their time to clear the land, it took 350 ‘man days’ to do this work. The school is on a very steep hill so, to secure the freshly levelled site, they also have to construct a retaining wall measuring 30 meter long built in stone.

Classroom construction

After attending an earthquake resistant training course on new methods of construction the local builders began work on the foundations of the first 4 classrooms which was overseen by a local engineer, Surendra Budhatoki, engaged by NAFA. He oversaw the construction from the marking out of the foundations, through the different stages of building and finally when the roof truss was completed.

Apart from the regular visits from the engineer, NAFA representatives visited the site in November and December 2016 and again in January 2017. The engineer and the school committee provided NAFA with regular reports and photos on the progress of the building.

Recently constructed classrooms in Patle

Nine months after starting work the 4 classrooms were completed in September after many delays due to snow conditions at the beginning for the year and heavy rains during the recent monsoon. NAFA recognises the hard work the builders and school committee have done working though these difficult conditions to complete the first stage of building. They expect the second block of four classrooms to be complete by January 2018.

NAFA would like to thank the Waller family for raising $81,236 though Auto and General to fund the construction of 8 classrooms and the repair of 7 classrooms.

Ross Hazelwood

Project Co-ordinator

NAFA allocates funds for second phase of remote schools earthquake rebuild program

Russ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:00:59 +0000

NAFA has allocated nearly $140,000 to rebuild thirteen classrooms in four villages (Tawal, Kutal, Ladap and Richet) when roads open after the monsoon season.

Tawal school 3 large classrooms finished July 31 2017

This allocation for the second phase of the school rebuild program will complete NAFA’s commitments made after the April and May 2015 earthquakes. It will bring the total allocation up to over $500,000 for rebuilding or substantially repairing schools in nine remote villages in Nepal.

We hope that the rebuild will be fully completed by NAFA’s next annual fundraising dinner in May 2018.

First phase of NAFA’s remote schools earthquake rebuild program completed!

Russ — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 23:55:00 +0000

In the past nine months NAFA has helped nine remote villages across five districts in Nepal rebuild or substantially repair their schools after the devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015.

Recently constructed Shyama classrooms

The first phase of the rebuild is completed. We are very proud of local builders’ achievements under very difficult conditions, in the following villages: Dhurpisurke and Patle (Okaldhunga district), Kophu (Solu Khumbu), Shyama (Dolakha), Jitpur (Sindulpulchowk) and Tawal, Kutal, Richet and Ladap (Dhading).

Approximately $500,000 has been allocated to rebuild or substantially repair 60 classrooms in the nine schools. Classrooms having to be completely rebuilt were designed by a Nepalese Engineer to be earthquake resistant in accordance with Nepali government regulations.

Ladap finished July 16 2017

In addition to allocating funds for the actual rebuilds, NAFA also allocated nearly $15,000 to help two remote schools purchase additional land for their schools and to clear and excavate that land in preparation for building. Finally, $30,000 was provided for local builders to undertake a seven day earthquake resistant building training program and to employ a Nepali engineer full-time for 5-6 months in each of the two geographical areas of construction, to oversee the first phase of the rebuild.

NAFA has made great strides in its rebuilding program, after allocating nearly $100,000 towards roofing tin, rice and medical supplies in our initial response to the earthquakes. It has taken courage, trust, expertise both in Nepal and in Australia, determination, and the collective generosity of many donors. Of course a little luck along the way also helps!

The light is at the end of the tunnel and NAFA salutes its dedicated supporters. You have made it possible to complete this first phase of our rebuild commitments.

Thank you all!

Rod Setterlund OAM
President

Remote school rebuild budget averages $11,000 per classroom

Russ — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 22:00:54 +0000

The average budgeted cost of classrooms being rebuilt with NAFA funds in Nepal is approximately $11,000 per classroom, based on estimates provided by the Nepalese architect who designed them. Factors affecting the cost include: whether the classroom blocks are two storey or one storey; how far the villages are from the end of the road-head (which affects transport costs); the size of the classrooms (three sizes being built in accordance with local school student numbers); and the local cost of materials, labour and transport.

Passing the trays of concrete

Budgets for the classrooms are more than double the budgeted cost for classrooms built before the 2015 earthquakes due to earthquake resistant components that are now required in buildings constructed in Nepal. These features include: deeper foundations and more substantive cement pillars and buttresses; reinforcing iron rebars, concrete (sand, cement and aggregate) in the foundations, floors and walls; and metal plates tying the roof trusses together.

Local volunteer labour has kept the budgets at a low enough level for NAFA to fulfil its rebuild commitments and to reinforce local ownership of the schools.

Gabion walls protect Tawal school and village from risk of landslide

Russ — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 12:13:54 +0000

The village of Tawal in the Dhading district was only 15 kms from the epicentre of the Gorkha earthquake in April 2015. In all of the 25 villages in the Tawal area, 100% of the houses and community infrastructure such as schools was destroyed. The earthquake triggered a number of landslides and brought other rock outcrops to the surface, raising fears of further landslides in the future.

Completion of gabian wall August 2017

When the earthquake struck, Tawal villagers set up temporary shelters where they felt they were safe from landslide. But they remained concerned about their personal safety and the need for protection of community infrastructure from future landslides.

After the Nepal Government failed to undertake promised geotechnical assessments of the area, NAFA contracted a geotechnical engineer from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu to undertake a landslide risk assessment of the 25 villages in the area.

His recommendations included the construction of two gabion walls: an eight metre high and 50 metre long gabion wall above the school in Tawal; and the strengthening of an existing, old gabion wall above the village. Nearly $10,000 was allocated for these walls and with some help from the Nepal government, the gabion walls have been completed in time for this 2017 monsoon season.

Sadit Maharjan reflects on work and life in remote Nepal

Russ — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:32:40 +0000

Sadit with host family

Post the earthquake of April 2015, I was more exposed to the humanitarian role that a civil engineer can play in reconstruction of the society. My will to help the earthquake affected areas recover and the enthusiasm to be with needy people were my main motivation during the projects that I had been involved in so far and it was no different this time as well.

A few days after the meeting with Rod, Deborah, Ross, Brenda and Sabin in Kathmandu, I got called up for my first Tawal visit scheduled on 25^th of November 2016. While I was really happy and pumped up with this wonderful opportunity, I was equally anxious. Moreover, I was very curious about the setting and the gargantuan task ahead. After my initial visit to all the four schools of Kutal, Tawal, Ladap and Richet, I came to know that the construction sites were situated in tough terrains of Ri-V.D.C which meant that it was also going to be physically challenging for me. But I felt what was more thought-provoking was to be able to actually produce the right start to the project and then follow it up with good momentum. With limited skilled manpower, geographical hindrances for the transport of materials, and with no real mechanical equipment, it wasn’t going to be easy by any means but the existing conditions of the schools, the children, hopeful eyes of the people, and motivation from everyone around gave a huge boost to my confidence. I realized that I just had to do this.

The formation of the construction committees of each school on the first HRDC meeting for the rebuild program and material ordering were the initial signs of the start. Simultaneously, the sites were being cleared off and only after laying out of the trench plan, the reconstruction actually took off. The start was very difficult as most of the builders had never practiced using cement. Furthermore, they were illiterate and had no understandings of earthquake resilient design and dimensions. I remember cutting an 80cm long stick in Ladap just to demonstrate how wide and deep the trench was going to be. The hardworking, dedicated, sincere and crafty builders showed immense improvement over the time which has assured good quality and precision in currently built classrooms and I must say except for the few adjustments as per the site conditions, the implementation of the overall design and specifications has been up to the mark. For the classroom blocks which are going to be built next year, I am confident that the builders are well equipped with adequate knowledge and practice, and that they will be able to carry on this rebuilding even on their own. For me, this has been the greatest satisfaction.

My stay in Tawal has been a whole new experience for me. Beside supervising construction, living a rural lifestyle, learning Tamang language and cultures, I have also had the chance to witness firsthand the struggle and hardships of the people here. I have felt the patience of the men on the site who consistently tried, day in and out, and broke the huge room-sized boulder manually. When I would see the sweat dripping off the people walking past me carrying loads twice their weight, I would forget my tiredness. When I would see the pain of a mother giving birth to her child right on the ground, helpless, with no medical aid, I would forget the stinging pain in my feet.

Despite such adversities, I have also rejoiced the celebrations of Lhosar and the 5 day long Maney festival where everyone came together, forgetting all the sorrows of their lives and shared the joy. Shivering from the cold of snow and hailstorm to the relaxation of bathing in a water fall in a hot summer day, I really don’t think I have missed much even in this short stay.

During my stay here, I have bonded with a lot of people, especially with my host family, Kanchha, Lala, Rinchhen and newly born Dev. Dawa, our social mobilizer, has always been around and has been a great company. The consistent encouragement from Rod, Deb, Raul, my family and friends back home, and the amount of love and respect from the people here has driven me and has helped me persevere through the tough times. The rewards that my soul has received here are the moments that I shall cherish all my life.