The Strathclyde Engineering for Development team is aiming to raise £65,000 to rebuild a third earthquake-hit school in Nepal.

The team, led by Christine Donald, international recruitment adviser in the Faculty of Engineering, and Dr Huyam Abudib, research assistant in the Department of Architecture, have overseen the rebuilding of one school and are nearing completion on a second.

The first school, in Fenhara – Sika Mandir School – had been badly damaged by an earthquake in 2015 and floods two years later. One of the school’s teaching blocks had been completely destroyed and the remaining building was left unsafe, with a leaking roof in every classroom. The toilet block was also damaged and suffered from flooding every monsoon.

Christine subsequently coordinated a long fundraising campaign, which involved family, friends and colleagues taking part in a variety of events, such as sponsored walks, and saw several large donations from benefactors.

Thanks to her efforts and tenacity, funds were raised to construct seven classrooms, a toilet block complete with water tanks and drainage, and water supply system with taps, pump and water treatment.

The opening of the new school in late 2022 saw the school roll more than double from 61 to 126 pupils and has become a safe place to shelter from the regular floods that occur in the region.

The second school in Narsahi – which is in the same disadvantaged area of Lumbini Provence as the first project – is building five classrooms, a toilet block and a water supply system and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Now the team is working with the same local social enterprise company, Community Impact Nepal that they partnered with on the previous two projects to raise funds to rebuild Joli Pipal school in the remote Katali region of the Himalayan nation.

Dr Abudib said: “To reach Joli Pipal School you need to drive for 18km on a rough seasonal road to Radi Bazaar, and then follow an earthen road for a further 4.5km before finishing the last stretch on foot.

“The previous school was built 20 years ago by the Nepal Red Cross Society with support from Save the Children and The World Food Program, with the workers paid in rice and lentils.”

Marginalised communities

Joli Pipal School, which has classes from nursery to grade three for some of the most marginalised communities in the country, was badly damaged in the 2023 Jarkot earthquake.

Dr Abudib added: “When we visited in April 2024 the structure of the school was unsafe and a temporary wooden shelter that had been erected and covered with a tarpaulin donated by UNICEF had been blown away by strong winds. Further damage has been wrought by the last monsoon rains and most of the already badly-weakened roof collapsed. Children are currently being taught out in the open – the only option being to walk miles on unsafe roads to the next nearest school.”

The Strathclyde Engineering for Development project utilised the skills of staff and students within the faculty and challenged them to develop ideas and approaches for earthquake and flood resistant structures.

The buildings were constructed using innovative interlocking bricks made of compressed earth – making them eco-friendly, sustainable and earthquake resistant. In addition the bricks provide better insulation, are cheaper to make, quick to construct and three-times stronger than fired bricks.

The team also funds equipment and supports the training of local men and women in the production and use of the sustainable bricks and help them to develop small business enterprises to produce affordable and eco-friendly structures.

Christine said: “Our schools are located in areas affected by earthquakes and floods and our goal is to help remote communities who are rarely reached by other organisations.

The difference the new school in Fenhara has made is immense and we’re confident the second project will have the same positive effects that go beyond the school structures themselves to the community itself.

“For this third project we need to raise more funds and donations from individuals and companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility agendas are welcome.”

Donations can be made  to the project with Alumni & Development or by contacting Christine Donald .