Nepal is a landlocked treasure between the two enormous states of India and China, with tremendous geographical and topological diversity that divides the country into the Tarai, Hilly, and Himalayan Regions. Its extraordinary terrains are not only aesthetically magnificent but also beautifully culturally diverse with 125 different ethnic groups and indigenous communities and over 100 languages. The country is a mosaic of cultural and spiritual traditions, colourful festivals, costumes, languages, and unique cuisines. Its people are friendly and warm. There is truth to the saying that you first go to Nepal for the mountains, but you return for the people.
Nepal is also one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries. The country is a very young democracy emerging from a politically and socially fragile post-conflict period. Its people have worked hard and achieved much to reduce poverty. Nearly every other family lived in extreme poverty twenty years ago, earning less than $1.25 a day. Although this number has halved, one in four families still lives in poverty today. Gender, social group, and geographic area are significant factors that can influence a person’s opportunity to break the cycle of poverty here. This is why Nepal and its wonderful people need our help.
The Eastern Region
The spectacular Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, and Nepal’s lowest point, Kechana Kalan, are in the eastern region as well as Nepal’s largest river system (the Koshi), its longest waterfall, and its most extensive forest. It is an area of incredible biodiversity, with 28 of Nepal’s 31 rhododendron species, “Lali gurans” growing here. Most people in the East region live in poorly built thatched houses. In Nepal, like many other places, decent shelter is a symbol of social dignity, and the lack of it hinders other critically essential things in life, such as education, health care, and social mobility. Helping families upgrade their current housing provides a significant boost and enables them to take the next step, usually their children’s education.
In the East, Habitat for Humanity promotes affordable construction using locally available materials and increasing community awareness regarding disaster-resilient housing, by helping families build new homes made of bamboo with mud plaster and brick and block foundations. Promoting the use of treated bamboo is embedded in Habitat’s designs. This sustainable, versatile, robust, locally abundant, and affordable material is part of the vernacular architecture in the Eastern lowlands of Nepal. Bamboo plantings along riverbeds can lessen the effects of seasonal flooding and are associated with effective soil erosion mitigation. Additionally, bamboo construction is lighter and, as a result, sustains less damage from natural disasters like earthquakes, which Nepal is particularly susceptible to. Proliferating its use by training masons and families to use it over untreated bamboo or unmanaged timbers will build greater acceptance and desirability of the product. Volunteers will support local labourers and families by mixing mortar, carrying bricks, cleaning, splitting, measuring, weaving bamboo, applying mud/cement plaster, and painting the walls.
Your adventure begins today with your arrival in Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. We will arrange your transfer from Tribhuvan International Airport to your hotel, where you will have time to unpack and unwind. You will finally get to meet your fellow volunteers, your Team Leader and the Habitat for Humanity coordinator, who will accompany you at a special welcome dinner for the week.
After breakfast, the team enjoys a tour of the unique and breathtaking Kathmandu. After the city tour, you will take a short flight to Biratnagar (35 mins) or Bhadrapur (40 mins) airport, where you will be transferred to your build week hotel. Habitat Nepal will hold a formal introduction and lead you through a thorough in-country orientation, where you will learn about Nepal’s culture and housing situation, the project site, building techniques and essential announcements about logistics, etc. After another lovely dinner, you will enjoy a good night’s sleep to prepare for your first day on site!
Arriving on the build site for your first day of construction, you’ll meet the family whose home you will be helping to construct and will have the opportunity to learn about their stories. The construction supervisor and local labourers will show you the ropes, and you can start the house construction. There will be rest breaks for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, which will all be provided on-site. You can stop for a drink of water and a break as often as you need. At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy the flavours of Nepal at the team dinner and a well-earned rest!
You will see the new house take shape over the next few days and you will be amazed at how much can be achieved in just one week. From preparing bamboo columns and beams, weaving bamboo, applying mud mortar to walls, or painting, there are plenty of ways to contribute. Each night we will take you to some local restaurants, where you can experience mouthwatering cuisine as you unwind with the team and get to know one another better. The evenings are a chance to relax, swim in the hotel pool and recharge your batteries for the following day’s work.
The closing day is emotional for everyone involved. You will spend the morning adding the finishing touches to the house and maybe even some celebratory decorations. You will welcome the partner family to their new home and reflect together on the contribution that you have all made. This is the time to celebrate with the community all your hard work and imagine the new life that the partner family will have in the home that you have built.
Today you will check out of the build week hotel and take the short flight back to Kathmandu. You may catch a return flight home today, or wait until tomorrow. If you stay in Kathmandu, there is so much to see in this ancient city with rabbit-warren-like streets, set in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains and home to several World Heritage Sites: the Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. You could dodge monkeys and admire the views of Kathmandu at Swayambhu Nath stupa or chill out in Kathmandu’s Garden of Dreams. After more exploring or well-deserved R&R, the team meets for a final dinner to celebrate the team effort and the end of an incredible week with your group.
Today you will head back home (unless you left the previous evening) or continue your travels. There is so much to offer in Nepal. Have you ever considered Everest Base Camp? Although your build has ended, you will have unforgettable memories and long-lasting friendships that will keep the experience alive for a long time.
Once you register for a Global Village build, you commit to fundraising $1,800 for Habitat’s Programs. This program donation allows Habitat to fund our mission in countries with minimal resources. Funding is used to support our operations to reach out and serve more households.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible,
Fundraising contribution deadline: One month before the build start date
Volunteers are responsible for booking these on their own, but the Habitat team will support you in your preparations.
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Get in Touch
Phone
1800 88 55 99
Email
[email protected]
Address
Level 9, Suite 2
80 Mount Street
North Sydney NSW 2060
