Our major project has finally arrived! We are so excited to finally be commencing the proposed reconstruction for Birds of passage Shree Jana Primary School in Nuwakot, Nepal, built by Good Earth Nepal. The structure will consist of two earthbag classrooms for 35 students in years one, two and three. Amy and I will be camping on site for the entire duration of the project and will be keeping everyone updated with daily progress photos and blogs. We have several incredible volunteers that are also camping onsite and assisting with construction. We have already cleared the site, dug out the trench and prepared rubble from local stone. I can’t begin to express the joy and sense of purpose felt by all that are on site. The students are currently being educated in a temporary shack that rests just beside our construction site; their smiling faces a constant reminder of why we are here. The local villagers are always on site often helping also. Considering the language barrier, the level of communication is surprising and there is a lot of playful banter with the locals. I’m sure the laughter can be heard all the way down to the river. Every night before I go to bed, I stand at the edge of the mountain to welcome the surreal landscape, transformed by the black of night. The mountains disappear and the lights of homes in the mountains merge with the stars in the sky. It feels as though I’m standing on the edge of a tiny planet, surrounded by the soft glow of distant stars.

There was an earthquake last week of 5.2 magnitude in Sindhupalchock. I have never felt an earthquake before and neither had several of the other volunteers. Despite how small it was, it had a profound effect on me and other volunteers. As soon as it began we heard screams of urgency echoing through the valley as locals were signalling to leave their structures. We could feel the fear of the locals and for a moment, we shared their feeling of incredible vulnerability. Feeling safe is truly the foundation of human need.

Please find the LINK to the project as well as a link to the technical drawings for the Birds of Passage Shree Jana primary school built by Good Earth Nepal. For those who are interested in earthbag construction visit www.goodearthnepal.org for more information. Thank you so much to all that have shared our vision to support Nepal. This project would not be possible without you.

Amy and I also have some very important news to share with everyone. We recently received a very large donation that will easily cover expenses for the construction of a fencing compound for Team Nepal Talamarang Children’s Home with money left over to allocate for other needs within the children’s home. Our eyes filled with tears when we received the news of this incredible donation and we were moved even further to discover that this amazing soul has insisted on remaining anonymous. This is the true meaning of unity. To give with pure intention. To give without the need to strengthen ones own individuality, for we are one. On behalf of the children at Talamarang children’s home and indeed the surrounding community, thank you so much for your overwhelming support. You are truly an inspiration.

-James