10/31/2018 - Start of Building Activity

Today it all begins with the construction of a bamboo shed for equipment and materials. Unfortunately, the excavator has not yet arrived to clear the blocked access road after the monsoon. But it is expected to come in the next few days.

11/02/2018

The road is being cleared. The bulldozer came from Trisuli Bazar, about 3 hours away. It took about 16 hours to clear the access path. Government responsibility, but without access no clinic. Thus the entire region benefits from us building the clinic.

11/03/2018

The road is open now!

The construction of the shed is progressing.

11/04/2018

Completion of the shed. Delivery of the stones which were broken by the local population who thereby earned an additional income. Building brings work to the villages.

11/05/2018

Today, construction manager Ram Tamang, Madhav Regmi, our Nepalese architect, and the workers are beginning to prepare and survey the plot. But … beginning tomorrow, there will be a pause in the construction works. All workers go home to celebrate an important religious festivity till the14th. Punctually on Nov. 15th, work will be resumed.

11/04/2018 - 11/14/2018

The standstill on the building site lasts from Nov. 4th till Nov. 11th. All workers have gone home to celebrate there an important religious festivity. And, as almost always in Nepal, a festivity lasts several days, corresponding to the large number of deities whom homage has to be paid to.

11/15/2018

Work is fully under way again, all builders have come back on time. Not a matter of course in Nepal. It testifies to good management, good working conditions and fair wages.

11/18/2018

Today the access road to the clinic is being built. We very much hope that the next monsoon will not destroy it again. But … then, the excavator would just come once more. Only with such optimism we can succeed.

Very important: prior to laying the foundations, a puja, a religious service, is being celebrated. A monk is reading from the holy books and sacrifices are offered to the gods. Very pragmatically, the offerings are subsequently eaten up by the people.

And, of course, prayer flags are put up. In the wind, little wind horses carry the prayers written onto the flags to the gods. Thus without anybody’s effort the prayer goes on till the flags have been dissolved by the wind.

11/19/2018

The plot for the building has been prepared, though a couple of heavy blocks had to be moved out of the way. If possible, they will be used for a supporting wall.

The first phase of building has been achieved and as of tomorrow the construction of the edifice will begin.