Since 2015, First Steps Himalaya has pioneered the introduction of eco-friendly, sustainable, and earthquake-resilient earthbag building methods across Nepal. Our commitment to safe and durable infrastructure has resulted in the successful completion of 5 earthbag schools, a dedicated teacher training centre, and residential accommodation for 28 trainees. Notably, our structures proved resilient during the 2015 earthquakes, sustaining only superficial cracks.
The Earthbag building method is both eco-friendly and economical, as well as earth-quake resiliant.
Watch Durga, First Steps Himalaya founder, talk about how FSH started and see our first earthbag build in action!
OUR EARTHBAG PROJECTS
2015: Teacher Training Centre
Project Name: Sangchok Teacher Training Centre
Year of Completion: 2015
Location: Sangachok Nursery, Sindhupalchok
Description: A three room training centre with a larger training hall and 2 smaller storage rooms was constructed so that teachers could be trained on site. Work began on this building in February 2015. The earthbag building method had been selected as it was eco-friendly, sustainable, economical and reported to be earthquake resilient. We had no idea how soon this would be put to the test!
On April 25th 2015, a massive 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal destroying homes, lives and schools. Sindhupalchok was one of the worst affected areas. The new earthbag building stood up to not one but three massive quakes with just superficial cracks in the plaster.
Impact/Outcome: On April 25th 2015, a massive 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal destroying homes, lives and schools. Sindhupalchok was one of the worst affected areas. The new earthbag building stood up to not one but three massive quakes with just superficial cracks in the plaster.
2015: Earthbag Rebuild Nepal Summit
Held in Kathmandu, following the 2015 earthquakes, First Steps Himalaya co-organised this event being held for the first time in Nepal. The event spurred community groups and organisations to construct their own earthbag buildings.
2015: Earthbag Training
Over 80 participants attended practical hands on training in Sangachok Nursery, learning all the necessary techniques to go away and build their own earthbag buildings.
2016: Teacher Training Accommodation
Project Name: Teacher accommodation and model earthbag build for trainees
Year of Completion: 2015
Location: Sangachok Nursery, Sindhupalchok
Description: A large earthbag building with eight bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms which served as a training ground for trainees earthbag builders who came to Sangachok to learn the techniques needed for this method.
Impact/Outcome: 80 trainee earthbag builders trained. Trainee teachers could travel a distance and stay whilst receiving teacher training.
2016: Classrooms at Mulkharka
Project Name: Adarsha School, Mulkharka, Sindhupalchok
Year of Completion: 2016
Location: Sangachok Nursery, Sindhupalchok
Description: A school with 6 classrooms was constructed to accommodate children who had lost their school in the earthquake of 2015.
Impact/Outcome: 95 children had classrooms and a library.
2017/18: Sangachok Nursery
Project Name: Jana Jyoti School, Sangachok, Sindhupalchok
Year of Completion: 2017/18
Location: Sangachok Nursery, Sindhupalchok
Description: Two classrooms for the ECD class and playgroup were constructed to replace the original ECD that was lost in the 2015 earthquake.
Impact/Outcome: 45 children at a time could learn in two spacious classrooms
2017/18: Classrooms at Dyali
Year of Completion: 2017/18
Location: Dyali, Sindhupalchok
Description: Two early years classrooms were constructed to give extra space for the school that had insufficient classrooms.
Impact/Outcome: 20 children could learn in two spacious classrooms.
2019/20: Classrooms at Aptar
Year of Completion: 2019/20
Location: Aptar, Nuwakot
Description: Three rooms were constructed providing three classrooms.
Impact/Outcome: 30 children who had lost their temporary school in the earthquake of 2015 could learn in three spacious classrooms.
2023: Classrooms at Payunswara
Year of Completion: 2023
Location: Payunswara, Nuwakot
Description: A new school with three classrooms and toilets was constructed in this remote village which had never had a school.
Impact/Outcome: 20 children who had no school could learn in three spacious classrooms. Previously, the nearest school was a 90 minute walk through forest often frequented by leopards. Too scared to go, young children stayed home without any education.
EARTHBAG BUILD SUPPORT
There is growing interest globally in earthbag building and First Steps Himalaya has been one of the leading players in introducing earthbag building to Nepal. This would not have been possible without the dedicated support of numerous companies and individuals, passionate about making a difference.
YUCHA (You change the world)
Yurena and Charles and their dedicated team of volunteers came to Nepal in 2016 to rebuild the school at Mulkharka. We are enormously grateful for their financial and physical support.
THE HUCKERBY TRUST
Based in the United Kingdom, the Huckerby Trust aims to provide schools for children who would otherwise have no school to attend. With the trust’s support we were able to construct an entire school for a community with no access to education in rural Nuwakot.
We would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support of Mark Clayton and friends, Peak Freaks Canada, Eco - Logis, Owen Geiger and all the wonderful volunteers and Nepali locals who have helped create these eco-friendly sustainable and earthquake resilient buildings.
COURT CONSTRUCTION LTD
Cameron and Tracey Court and their New Zealand based company, Court Construction Limited, first approached First Steps Himalaya in 2013, wanting to get involved. The result was not just one earthbag building project but many and ongoing support through fundraising, technical advice and volunteer work in Nepal.
YUCHA (You change the world)
Yurena and Charles and their dedicated team of volunteers came to Nepal in 2016 to rebuild the school at Mulkharka. We are enormously grateful for their financial and physical support.
THE HUCKERBY TRUST
Based in the United Kingdom, the Huckerby Trust aims to provide schools for children who would otherwise have no school to attend. With the trust’s support we were able to construct an entire school for a community with no access to education in rural Nuwakot.
We would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support of Mark Clayton and friends, Peak Freaks Canada, Eco - Logis, Owen Geiger and all the wonderful volunteers and Nepali locals who have helped create these eco-friendly sustainable and earthquake resilient buildings.
To learn more, read our blog here: Why Earthbag Build in Nepal
The success of these past earthbag building projects underscores First Steps Himalaya's unwavering commitment to long-term change. These earthbag constructions played a vital role at a time when classrooms for young children were urgently needed. With the changing demographic in rural Nepal, the need has changed, hence there are no further earthbag building projects planned for the foreseeable future.