Recurring earthquakes and flood devastation is a curse on the Himalayan nation of Nepal yet it does not deter the human spirit. The University of Strathclyde is helping to transform communities through education and opportunity.
The Strathclyde Engineering for Development team, led by Christine Donald and Dr. Huyam Abudib, is rallying to raise £65,000 for their third major project to rebuild Joli Pipal School. Building on previous successes in Fenhara and Narashi. The team has an innovative and sustainable approach which is already positively affecting lives and communities in remote areas of Nepal.
A Mission Born from Crisis
Christine Donald, international recruitment adviser in the Faculty of Engineering, recounts how the project began: “After the 2015 earthquake, 8,000 schools were destroyed. “I thought maybe we could build one. Never having built a school in my life, I knew someone in the faculty would know how to do it.” The project once started found its own momentum growing from strength to strength.
Credit: The University of Strathclyde
Their first project was Sika Mandir School in Fenhara where the floor was crumbling and flood-prone. The team turned this structure into a vibrant, flood and earthquake-resistant education and community asset. Enrolment in the school doubled from 61 to 126 pupils. Later to be used by the community during floods due to its unique design preventing water from entering the school.
The second school quickly followed in Narashi, with classrooms, sanitation facilities, and water infrastructure aiming to be completed in 2025.
Credit: Pexels
Both projects were distinct from each other due to the remote nature of the location having unique topography. Getting the equipment on site was a challenge. Once efforts began, it became unstoppable.
Joli Pipal: The Third Challenge
The third project is Joli Pipal School with the team starting to raise funds. The school was a temporary UNICEF tarpaulin shelter, blown away during the 2023 Jarkot earthquake; the school now exists as a shadow of collapsed walls and debris.
Dr. Abudib explained how difficult it is to reach the school: “To get there, you drive 18km on a rough seasonal road, follow another 4.5km on an earthen track, and then walk the rest. When we visited, the roof had collapsed, and the remaining walls were a dangerous hazard.”
They overcame these challenges through determination, faith in the local community spirit and determination that inspired the team. “The school committee had cared for the building deeply, even in its deteriorated state,” Donald said.
Sustainable, Community-Focused Solutions
Ingenuity is at the heart of these projects going beyond a simple rebuild. The team use local compressed earth mix with a limited amount of concrete to fashion eco-friendly interlocking bricks. These bricks replace traditional fired bricks which are not as strong as the eco-friendly bricks, they are more sustainable and better resistant to future earthquakes.
Credit: Unsplash
Dr. Abudib highlighted the environmental impact: “Traditional brick-making in Nepal generates 1.3 million tons of CO₂ annually. Our method reduces emissions by up to 75% and eliminates unsafe labour.”
A legacy of these projects is that local men and women are trained in brick production which creates jobs and inspires entrepreneurial ventures long after the projects are completed. “We wanted to keep all the money within the local community,” Donald explained.
A Call to Action
There are ongoing challenges with fundraising but the team has plans for fundraising events early next year with the team understanding the wider economic and global pressures. “People are overwhelmed by global issues,” Donald admitted, “but one thing we can promise is that every penny goes directly to the building.”
Donald reflected on all that has been achieved and the work still to come: “This project is a game-changer. From infrastructure to education to community resilience, it’s about giving these children a chance at a brighter future.”
For more information about how you can help with fundraising events please contact: Christine Donald or to donate please visit: Strathclyde Alumni & Development.
Digital Journalism master’s student Miki Lee Dale.
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