It was exciting to finally arrive on the build site. We were greeted by the family and community members with huge smiles, tikas, and an abundance of flowers. All that was present at the site was a concrete slab set on a foundation of large rocks. Our task: to build a solid home!
Our family of 5, led by a widower named Kamala Neupane, lives in what I estimate to be a 10×10 foot shelter, not bigger than some garden sheds on our properties. Their home is made up primarily of corrugated tin sheets, plywood, and has a dirt floor. Our team was given the opportunity to see the inside of the family’s home. Inside there was a double bed, sleeping mats, and some counters/storage. A single electrical cord led from the power pole to the inside where it was connected to a small television. My thought was this could not be safe for them, especially during the monsoon season when water probably floods their home. Water and electricity do not mix. Additionally, there is no proper sanitation nor running water at their home or in the community.
We were given a rough idea of what we had to do and all of the tasks needed to get the job done. Our tasks included moving 30 pound cement blocks onto the foundation, sifting rocks and stones out of a gravel mix to create sand, bagging and transporting sand and cement, mixing mortar and laying bricks. These were the tasks of the first few days. We have few tools – three shovels, buckets, a hammer or two, trowels, string for keeping things level, and of course, our hands and muscles.
At the end of these first two days of work, I was so impressed with the team’s ability to come together for a common cause. Like any team coming together, we are finding a rhythm of work. It feels pretty seamless. I love the experience of bonding with new people and doing it over building something so simple as a wall. In this case, the walls were not barriers, but a way to bring people together. Conversations and getting to know each other have made the work days pass by so quickly.
When we arrive on site, we are greeted like rock stars. Every morning children and adults greet the bus. It’s so awesome to be greeted with their enthusiasm and appreciated for the work. I feel as if the home will really make a difference. There is so much gratitude. In between our work, we have become acquainted with the local children. They are hilarious, love to practice their English and are more than willing to pose for pictures. “One picture please” is a common refrain.
The home owner and family are involved on the site and are very observant of our work. Krishna, the 16-year old son, has been attending closely to our work and you can see the pride he has. It was easy to identify which room of the home would be his from the time he was spending in one of the room. I caught him touching the wall of it in an admiring fashion. Someone on the team asked him which room was to be his and my assumption was correct. Krishna is only 16 and I just can’t imagine what it must be like for a person that age to be living in a 10×10 room with 4 other adults. He will surely enjoy his new space.
I have a few pictures that show our progress of the first two days.
The Travelling Psychologist 