Dear Friends & Family, here’s a short video on the successful implementation of Namaste Nepal’s rebuilding program following the 2015 earthquakes that devastated regions around Kathmandu.

Namaste Nepal believes that the most effective way how to help Nepal after the big earthquake is the education and the knowledge how to build earthquake resistant constructions.

So far we managed to organize 4 Masons Trainings, which consists of two parts, theoretical and practical. It is led by trained Nepalese

 It’s very exciting to know that not only will these newly trained Mason’s be able to build back safer homes for their family, it opens up opportunities for them to get jobs.

 Thank you all for your continued support of Namaste Nepal’s efforts and project ArchitectUnseen

We rarely seem to have ALL needed relative information in the very moment we need to make an important life altering decision. Yet, in the end, we often land exactly where we are supposed to be.  

A leap of faith. Selling my house & things and joining a rebuilding project with Namaste Nepal were indeed a life altering decisions. Though this path took unintended turns, there are no regrets.

As you consider your yearend contributions, please keep in mind families in Nepal. 100% of your contributions will help Namaste Nepal to continue their technical training program.

Donation link is on the left side of the home page:

http://www.namastenepal.cz/en/

Due to poor construction techniques, 90% of Mahadevtar and Anaikot homes were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake.

Namaste Nepal has developed a government approved week long technical training program that invites all village members, men and women, to attend and learn safer building techniques.

Namaste Nepal provides funding for the instructors, training materials, meals, certificate, and registration with the local building department.

I could not be more proud.

As of today, Subash and Pujan have provided technical training sessions for over 60 Nepali residents in both Mahadevtar and Anaikot.

More communities are requesting this training program.   It is predicted that the team will be expanding the program and empowering more than 100 Nepali families.

Great credit goes to the amazing Namaste Nepal field team, Yarda, Eva, Subash, and Pujan and the office team, Sonja, Martina, and Hela for their tenacity and perseverance.

The rebuilding plan is evolving and will help many communities build back safer.   I remain forever grateful for this opportunity.

Wishing all of you great warmth, happiness, and success in the New Year!

Namaste

P.S.   My Mother is home and doing well.

Now settled into my new home at the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, I’ve landed right where I’m supposed to be.

And so it goes, we’ve all experienced successes in projects- yay! …and yes, we’ve also experienced setbacks-boo.

Within the last week, we’ve watched a successful project launch in Mahadevtar and accomplished a significant first step in the Anaikot project.

Yet – we’ve also run into a bit of a bureaucratic roadblock before we can begin trainings or rebuilding in Aniakot.

On Monday, September 27, 2015, Yarda (Namaste Nepal Programme Manger) completed a major accomplishment by getting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Anaikot, Panchkhal Municipality Chairman (i.e. Mayor.) Getting the local Municipality in support of the project is a critical first step.

Yarda is always working…….

The MoU is an agreement that outlines terms of cooperation between Namaste Nepal and the Municipality of Panchkhal following the earthquake that struck Nepal on the 25^th April, 2015 and the major aftershock on 12^th May 2015. The 10 page MoU in essence includes who, what, when, where, why, and how much $?

Three days prior, the field team attended a DUDBC (local building department) meeting to learn more about what the local government will allow for trainings and reconstruction. The meeting was in Nepal, thus our very capable Nepali engineers, Subash and Pujan, had to translate the results.

The good news is that some training programs have been approved; however, we still must submit an official “proposal” before we can start our trainings – this could take months.

In addition, the DUDBC has not yet approved any housing designs (prototypes) for reconstruction, thus there is still a ban on rebuilding – another project delay that will likely set us back two months.

Time to reevaluate and update the game plan.

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The ever, over packed and underprepared American – I was grateful to get some help with my pack on the uphill climb to the Punchkhal school, where the field office will be.

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After setting in and setting up the office, we asked Subash and Pujan to search for some water …..and they came back with this. You guys are great!

Thus we decided ….rather than focus on the setbacks, we would celebrate the project’s successes.

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Yarda and Subash – always working, even when they are celebrating.

I have been fortunate to collaborate with these very hardworking and passionate team mates.

Around every corner there are reminders of the earthquake from four months earlier.

Some Nepali building owners have begun deconstruction and others have added bracing with hopes of one day soon salvaging and repairing.

I can’t help but wonder what this City was like before the devastation.

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Though our project focus is outlying villages, we will typically spend a few days a week in Kathmandu to attend meetings and take care of administration items not accessible in the field.

Though there has been much destruction, the resilient people of Kathmandu Nepal continue a vibrant busy life and still find time for celebration.

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The signing of the constitution this week brought many out into the streets – near Durbar Square, we saw many street paintings such as this.                                                                              _____________________________________

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Many sacred temples and significant historic landmarks that have been destroyed.

There are often several structures within one temple plaza – some remain standing, such as the Hararti Devi main dome, while others directly adjacent lie in ruins.

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My hope for them is to find the resources needed to restore these sacred places to their original form.

Namaste my Napali friends.

Early April 2015 (3 weeks before the earthquakes), Namaste Nepal had just completed construction of a new school for the village of Mahadevtar, ward 15 (formerly part of the Anaikot region.)

Beautifully designed and constructed with local materials (stone, bamboo, wood, and cement), this school was intended to be a place for education and a meeting place for the village.

The late April and early May 2015 earthquakes destroyed 90% of the homes in the Village of Mahadevtar.   The Nepal government provided each family with 15,000 rupees (just under $150 US dollars) to buy materials to build a temporary shelter.

Families had purchased corrugated metal panels and combined them with bamboo, wood, and tarps to house their families and animals. With winter fast approaching, the focus is on providing additional supplies so that they can stay warm in these minimal shelters.

The first goal was to survey all 49 homes, documenting GPS coordinates, owners certificate, and existing condition photos.  Yarda and Subash tirelessly led and completed these efforts in less than a 24 hour period.   Note that this include continuous trekking and climbing some very steep paths over a great distance. Kudos guys!

The second task was to review each family situation, including number of people living in household, health situation, income, and monies received to date. Yarda reviewed the budget and aligned distribution of funds as needed for each family.

After the assessments were complete, a village meeting was called at the school where the programme was introduced and funds were given to each family. Yarda and Subash did an amazing job of keeping things moving along smoothly as I photographed and assisted with a few small tasks.

Subash and I will return to this village in a few weeks to conduct trainings to help the villagers learn how to build back safer by introducing earthquake resistant technologies for construction of their new home. Hopefully I will be better prepared next time for the 5 hour mountain climbing journey- or as Yarda says, it’s just a little uphill walk.

Many thanks to our hostess, Timilamaya (Maya)  and her family for taking such good care of us during our visit.

My awkward American habits and tent placed in the middle of their outdoor living room gave them much to laugh and gossip about. Maya and her family of 8 live in what is left of their 2 story home – we hope that they have enough to stay warm this winter, and possibly begin to rebuild before monsoon season sets in next spring.

It is good to be back in Kathmandu for a short stay, just long enough to meet with other NGOs working on the education and rebuilding efforts and then head back out in the field. Our next village trip to Punchkhal/Anaikot is scheduled for Thursday. Stay tuned for that programme outline and next steps.

Namaste!

Grateful to have a brief respite between flights, this tiny room at Mini Hotel Central is a welcomed shelter from Hong Kong’s bustling streets.

In the morning stillness, I found time to explore the City and take in the harbor sunrise. My late morning treat was a visit of the nearby HK Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Orchids always make me smile.

Today is my sister’s birthday. Though I am sad to be far away on her special day, she is always with me. Thinking of recent moments spent with family and friends – my heart is full, but weighs heavy as I leave them behind to look at the tasks that lie ahead.

Yarda, my Namaste Nepal (NN) colleague, has kindly offered to meet me at the Kathmandu airport this evening. First thing Sunday morning, we will meet with our newly formed Namaste Nepal 2015-2016 rebuilding team.

There are many near and far who make up our NN team. Our remote support team has members located in both Prague and Sidney. Our Nepal field team will include Yarda,(the program manager), 3 Nepali engineers (introductions later), and me (the technical manager.)

Field visits will begin this Tuesday with a multi-day trip to Anaikot and Mahadevtar. We will first meet with the Panchkhal secretary and chairman to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU.)

An MoU is a legal document that outlines a service agreement between our NN NGO (Non Government Organization) and the local government.

(Before my departure, I’d just completed an Mou between the WI American Institute of Architects and the WI Emergency Management Service to provide disaster assistance.)

More on this critical first step on the next post.

Thank you for following our Namaste Nepal rebuilding programme.

Namaste.