[1]A good turnout at the AGM and the association’s healthy financial situation mean that we can embark on new projects. The association passed a decisive milestone in March 2018 with the financing of a sixth house for a very destitute village family rebuilt using the earthquake-resistant process with local materials developed by our technical partner CAPA.
After the association’s AGM in Hauteluce, the office sent a letter to the mayor of Basa-Rapcha to inform him of our active solidarity, which will continue in 2018/19 in 4 areas:
- Continued funding of medicines for the dispensary, which has a regular activity with the presence of two care assistants,
- financial support for education by covering the annual salary of the science teacher at Basakhali secondary school,
- a commitment to complete the water supply work in two hamlets, following a study and estimate by the technicians already involved in the project, for which the association has set aside funds,
- The construction of three earthquake-resistant houses in response to a social survey carried out by the local community, which identified a serious problem of poor housing for around fifteen very poor families (widows, disabled people, elderly people with no resources and no work force to build on their own).
In response to his proposals, the mayor, through Yadav, conveyed the heartfelt thanks of the local people (3,000 inhabitants in 17 hamlets grouping 450 families) who greatly appreciate ANUVAM’s commitment, in particular by ensuring the long-term funding of a teacher’s salary and the supply of medicines for the dispensary.
They are very grateful for the rebuilding of 9 houses, 3 of which will be completed in early 2019. On the subject of evaluations, the chairman of the Jase Raï secondary school committee is proud to announce that he has estimated that over the last 20 years, around 800 young people from the village have graduated from secondary school. Some have gone on to further education, while others have joined the police or the army.
The mayor confirmed that a study was underway to complete the water supply for 50 families in certain hamlets who have no running water, and that he would provide further information in early 2019. We are therefore maintaining the provision voted for water at the AGM.
- For 2018/19, the association has committed to financing the construction of three other earthquake-resistant houses , thus consolidating the experience acquired by the building technicians.
- According to Yadav, our local correspondent, work will start in mid-November and be completed in winter 2019. For its part, the village community has designated the three priority families, who are already very happy with the prospect of decent housing. They are currently living in bamboo and plank huts or houses that have been badly damaged:
- The first beneficiaries are Bakhan and Nemi Raï in the hamlet of Keth, a 46-year-old man disabled by polio in both legs, assisted by his sister, a very poor household living in a stable for animals. This major choice for the community means that the villagers will have to help each other to ensure the supply of stone and wood, as the family concerned has no labour available, as well as food for the site workers.
- The second beneficiary family is Sarke BK, aged 53, from the hamlet of Galame, one of the village’s reputedly untouchable families. Very poor, they have 6 children, 4 of whom are dependent, who live off their father’s occasional work as a day labourer, but he is no longer physically fit due to a work accident he sustained while building a house 3 years ago.
- The third family is that of Krishna Raï in the hamlet of Khyaldel, a very poor family with 5 children who live in a bamboo and plank hut. The family also has a blind brother.
These testimonies clearly show that our action responds to their concern to fight against inequalities and is also based on local mutual aid.
Members in Burgundy and Auvergne are currently working hard to organise local events that are actively helping to raise the profile of the association and boost its finances, thereby making a real contribution to improving the living conditions and housing of the most disadvantaged.
An international event called “Carnets de voyage” will take place in Clermont in mid-November, and ANUVAM will have a stand selling photos of Nepal taken by Jean Claude Raimbault. A group of new members will be in Nepal and will visit the village in the autumn. We wish them a safe journey and look forward to hearing about their discovery and impressions.
Autumn 2018 will see the completion of the publication in English and Nepali of the methodological handbook with numerous sketches on earthquake-resistant construction techniques designed by CAPA, which will support the training given to Nepalese construction workers, who will thus acquire new skills and add to their experience. This contribution to technical mastery in the building sector is a significant contribution by our association to the local economy.
All the regional groups are invited to share their initiatives in preparation for the Christmas markets.
Save the date for the next ANUVAM AGM, to be held on 18 and 19 May in Théoule on the Mediterranean coast.
The President
Evelyne Pichenot