Post-earthquake Nepal

Hello to everyone!  

It is really exciting to write back into this blog after quite sometime. It even gets emotional considering that I have returned from a recent trip to Nepal, the country that originally sparkled the creation of this blog! The country and people that have been through tough times in the past, and needless to say, in the last months since the earthquake happened in April'15.  

The world news about an earthquake in Nepal spread fast on the morning of Saturday the 25th of April. I didn't know until a friend called saying "Nek, there is a serious earthquake in Nepal"! For a moment I froze. I hoped it happens somewhere far, deep in the Himalayas, far from any inhabited areas. Few hours later I found out the earthquake's epicenter location was in Gorkha! Oh my god, that cannot be true.. I checked again and again and sadly realised the epicenter was only 12 kms from the village of Dhawa. Thousands of pictures passed through my mind, I started thinking of the village and what could be the impact of the earthquake at the local communities, families and to the local poor infrastructure, including our schools that I have been working for the last 5 years. As the news where unfolding at the international media, I thought that everything is lost. Communication was almost impossible, not only that day but for weeks after. I felt distressed and great sorrow. I knew that disastrous events in very poor (and politically paralyzed) nations such as Nepal often become a long drawn out of chain events, in that one disaster feeds into another for years. I felt so little and powerless to help.

In the midst of events, I managed to talk with the village and the first news said that there were no casualties recorded to that moment. Lucky enough, the earthquake happened at the most convenient time, when school is closed and everyone is out of their homes. That was a relief and an opportunity for a deep breath. I thought to get on the next plane to Nepal and get there to assist. A small Learning Planet response team flew from London few days after. With better communication and more news flowing in the media, I was able to find out more. Long power cuts, shortage of water, shortage of fuel, chaos. I decided to stay back at home. This is an emergency situation and not a humanitarian yet. Emergency response experts were needed, not reconstruction people. So I stayed back and watched the events unfolding. Few days after, another post-earthquake hits Everest region and kills 200 making it 8,964 casualties in total and thousands more homeless. 

In December 2015, I finally took the plane and returned back to Nepal after almost two years. The plan was to assist as much as I could for the two weeks I had available. With good preparation and the assistance of all of you who donated through Youcaring fundraising site, I took off to assist in rebuilding the semi permanent school classes that will house the students until the main school premises are constructed. At least they will be out of the tents..

As soon as I arrived in Kathmandu, my brain adapted fast into the well known senses that a city like this has to offer. Eight months after the devastating events, it looked surprisingly calm and quite. I arrived on Saturday so this was expected but as the days were passing by it remained as such. The busyness and vibe of the city was still recovering. After sorting myself at the guest house I went out for a plate of momos and a walk around the city.    

Local papers over a platter of momos

It was expected that reconstruction will be taking place. But the government unfortunately had not distributed the billions of internationally donated $$$ fund yet. They were still to decide, eight months after, who is going to manage this fund. So in fact reconstruction was only happening at historical monuments and public buildings. I met Kaasim, a 20 years young man who lost his father and sister when his home collapsed in the suburbs of Kathmandu. We discussed for hours. We took a bus and went to Boudhanath stupa which was actually a worksite. From there, he took me to his nearby tent where he is now living with his remaining family, homeless and unemployed..  on the way we stopped at the local noodle making that serve the homeless in the open parks of Kathmandu.         

Reconstructing Boudhanath stupa

Noodle making in the slums

I stayed in Kathmandu only for few days. I met Monika (Learning Planet's new architect) and Nripal from Abari, designer and fierce promoter of the bamboo and earth housing structures (he builded the bamboo roof at Balimtar school). In these few days I tried to discover the impact of the earthquake in the capital and also acclimatise myself in the environments. But this time my days were limited so I needed to move fast. I was already in touch with Giri and had already planned to go to Chitwan, at the city of Bharatpur to meet him. His father was sick in the hospital. Plus being close to the Indian border, prices to buy cement and what is required for the school are cheaper comparing to hard hit Gorkha.  

Mobile eatery

Elephant stroll in Sauraha, Chitwan

Overlooking the Rapti river and the Chitwan National park

During the days in Bharatpur, I was given the opportunity to talk to young students who are taking science subjects at their final college year. I was approached by one of the teachers of Orchid Science College, Baburam a friend of Giri, to visit their school and talk about the engineer profession and what is like to work as an engineer today. I talked of what and where I studied, about my work life so far, new technologies and ideas and answered to numerous questions I was asked (in clear English). They all seemed thoughtful about their futures and the possible tracks to the profession of engineer. I talked to two classes of about 25 students each. I really felt honored and hopeful that I bring a positive message to them. We had really interesting talks and a good laugh. At the end, they offered me delicious momos. 

Introducing engineering..

..or better 'imagineering'!

Next day, after hours of bus riding the hell out of it, I arrived in Gorkha, very close to the epicenter of the earthquake. Someone could easily sense the devastation although not all buildings were destroyed, some where still standing strong. In the city of Gorkha buildings are made stronger comparing to those in the surrounding rural areas. Approaching Dhawa with the off-road bus I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life, in a familiar and loving landscape, the Himalayas. I arrived to my old neighborhood where most people greeted me with my name. That was quite an emotional moment. 

Over the clouds at Gorkha

My neighborhood in Dhawa village

Next day it was time for action! I went first to see the students of Shree Prabhat and the school structures. I had mixed feelings of happiness for seeing them again -grown by two years- and sadness of what happened to their lovely school and their family homes (60% of houses were destroyed). Tents replaced their classrooms while computers and library materials are resting waiting for the new building for them to be housed. They are now 'schoolless'.. It is difficult to experience disaster of good work done for so many years. I felt bittered and disappointed. Hardly tried to find reasons for optimism. At least it was natural disaster, not man-made...    

Morning school assembly in the Himalayan mist

Tent classrooms

Shree Prabhat school from above

I inspected all school areas to get an understanding of the situation. The lower main school building is declared unsafe by government officials. That means there is only one way: demolition! I felt unsafe walking around and in the building, the smallest tremor and it can collapse in seconds. As I first walked around I took pictures of the once nicely refurbished building. I felt sad of what happened and that this school premises belong to the past. Slowly slowly, intact windows and doors will be removed and kept aside to be reused along with all power equipment including the photovoltaic panels. Whatever remains usable it will be reused in the new school buildings to reduce reconstruction costs as much as possible.         

School building declared UNSAFE

Major crack at teachers room

Serious opening at class 9 upper floor

Failed section below the PVs

Old satellite classrooms destroyed

Devastation

As always, kids were happy to see someone looking after their school. Even though I did not have time to rebuild many things, I think just my presence there gave them a sense of hope that they are not left alone. That someone outside of Nepal is looking to improve their school facilities, someone who has been there in the past. They transferred great energy to me and reminded me why I am coming back again and again to this country and village. 

Giri delivering a lesson 

With the boys of class 10

Having a hopeful laugh

Nepal loving student

Shree Prabhat school, cast representation

I also walked down to Balimtar to check out the ECD school. I knew already that our three newly constructed classrooms withstood the earthquake impact without even a crack. The buildings were first used as a shelter for people to protect themselves from the rain just hours after the earthquake and then for cooking the village's meals. Balimtar now has returned to normal and the school accepts kids for classes.    

Balimtar ECD school survived!

Roof and walls remained solid

Materials were unloaded in Dhawa to be ready for the construction workers. Finding skilled workers in Nepal these days is not an easy task. They are all occupied in reconstruction works spread across the affected areas. Their rate has gone up too. Our usual skilled workers are back to their villages reconstructing their own homes. Some arrangements have been made for them to start in mid-March when the team will be back on-site. Carpenters are even more scarce to be found. The one (and only) who was based in Dhawa is now away working in Chitwan. The pre-welded metal beams are pretty straightforward to install with good instructions about bolts and structuring by the manufacturer. The designs are for three classrooms with half height brick walls. 

Other charities have started implementing reconstruction plans in the region of Gorkha. Work of course is focused in communal and public buildings like schools, local and regional offices, health posts. Homes are to be rebuilt on their own capacities. Many of the iNGOs are reluctant of sending volunteers in a country that they cannot guarantee their safety. I heard some of them are given restrictions by their travel insurance providers and cannot send volunteers. I hope by now the issue is resolved.           

Bringing cement to the school

And metal beams

For the reconstruction of semi permanent classrooms

 

                           Quick clip from new flooring works (sent by Giri)

Reconstructing support building

I walked around the village extensively. I wanted to get a feel of how people have accepted what happened some months ago and how life is moving on for them. Recovery takes much longer in countries like Nepal. Although, their life somehow has returned to normal while at the same time they are trying to heal the wounds the earthquake brought. 

Boys at their Saturday wash

Traditional Nepali daal bhat

LondON!

I have also visited the Parvati Womens Committee twice. This is a group of about 450 women with a main purpose to help other women to learn new skills, provide micro-loans, establish training classes and help those that they're having really difficult time to get on with their every day lives. Each woman pays a monthly subscription fee of 50 Nepali rupees (~0.50 euros). The collected money are distributed to those in urgent need. Women in Nepal do all the hard work. They have to work hard in the fields, cook, fetch water, look after the children, they even work in construction. So I visited the Committee during their meetings and discussed their current issues. I was overwhelmed by their participation. They were all talking loud and I had difficulties to fully understand them, even with the interpretation of my good friend and english school teacher Kashindra. I promised them I will help them as much as I can, so I pledge all of you if you know any women group that is interested to cooperate with this group of Nepali women, please come in touch!

Sifting the millet

Women at (constant) work

Parvati Womens Committee

The last couple of days I moved from Dhawa to Pokhara in order to take some much needed rest before returning back. Pokhara is the trekkers entry point to the Annapurna Himalayas, one of the most spectacular trekking circuits in the world. I stayed in a basic guest house and strolled around. I hired an Enfield motorbike and went to one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas, a place called Sarangkot. From there someone can see the mighty peaks of the Annapurna Himalayas. It was a trully mesmerising moment.    

Machapuchare (6993m) -left peak

Annapurna II (7939m) -middle peak

Fewa Lake, Pokhara

Sunset at the Annapurnas

Time flew so quickly again and I had to take the plane back home. Another journey to the Himalayas has come to an end. But this is only physically because mentally is a place I am always visiting. This is the place to feel 'selflessness' to its majesty. Something that is sometimes hard to sense in the western world. 

A huge thank you goes out to all those of you who donated, even the smallest amount, to rebuild the school fundraiser. It meant a lot to the head teacher and to all the teachers of the school. I hope by now everyone received their card and diary. It was a small Thank you from the school children of Shree Prabhat School, I can ascertain you they felt that they are not helpless. On their behalf, we are deeply grateful. They are all waiting for you to visit them!

Spread the message, be happy and simply offer Never Ending Peace And Love to others!



Be well


Nektarios 




p.s some relevant music to help your travels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpraoWWzNBY