At dawn, Teoh Paik Lim (張栢林), a Tzu Chi volunteer from Malaysia responsible for the construction team, arrived at the school in western Nepal to measure the width of the entrance. Then he confirmed to the driver that his truck could pass through. As the sound of his voice echoed, curious and excited students emerged from the makeshift classrooms that had been erected by villagers. These temporary classrooms lacked doors and sturdy walls, with only a blue plastic tarpaulin providing shelter from the elements. The students lost their classrooms during an earthquake that struck western Nepal on November 3, killing 157 people; it was the most serious quake to hit the region since 2015. The damage caused by the quake stripped the classrooms of their furnishings, and left only a blackboard and two chairs. Yet it remained the place for children to pursue their education. In the eyes of these children, we saw glimpses of hope.

The November earthquake caused many homes to collapse, and extensively damaged school classrooms. With limited medical facilities, hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties. The disaster scarred the landscape. But the urgency of children's education cannot be deferred. The Tzu Chi assessment team engaged with local authorities, to gain insights into government needs. The immediate plan was to swiftly construct two primary schools, with a total of sixteen prefabricated classrooms, in the severely affected areas of Bheri and Aathbiskot, in western Nepal, before the arrival of winter snows.

Volunteers Arrive For Assessment

Volunteers embarked on a journey to the disaster-stricken area for a thorough assessment, driven by the urgency to help students return to their studies promptly. The last encounter took place on the first day of school after the earthquake, during which they promised the school authorities to construct prefabricated classrooms before the arrival of heavy winter snow. Master Cheng Yen, deeply concerned about the affected region, received a report from volunteers on November 21 on their findings. With Master Cheng Yen's blessings, the immediate work of constructing makeshift classrooms began.

After many discussions, the team efficiently utilized the manpower and experience from Tzu Chi's construction team. To be most efficient, they used the workshop behind the Lumbini Tzu Chi office to prepare materials for twenty-one classrooms, including wall frames and roof structures. After cutting and assembling the components, they arranged transportation to the disaster area.

This operational approach drew inspiration from Tzu Chi's experience in 2014, in responding to the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in Leyte, Philippines. On that occasion, pre-prepared materials were sent to the Philippines, enabling the team to rapidly assemble classrooms upon arrival and facilitate a quicker resumption of classes.

On November 29, amidst the urgency of the rebuilding efforts, the team remained busy but organized. They followed Master Cheng Yen's earnest reminder: 'The safety of those rescuing others takes precedence.' Through the careful considerations of the assessment team led by Dr. Tang Kiat Beng (陳吉民) and Kenny Khoo (邱建義), the decision was primarily based on the challenging mountainous terrain and the safety of the personnel. Consequently, the team opted to transport materials by truck for ten classrooms first.

(date please) Dividing into two groups, at 5:11 A.M. on November ?, Dr. Tang Kiat Beng, Raymond Kua (郭糧鳴), Hong De-qian (洪德謙 ), Santosh Maurya, and Unish Khyaju set off from the Tzu Chi office in Lumbini after paying their respects to the Buddha. They drove towards Surkhet district, 318 kilometers away. Lumbini is in south Nepal, close to the border with India.

In the second group, Dr. Nirdesh Shakya, Teoh Paik Lim, and Ng Yee Yung (吳儀榮) flew from Kathmandu to Surkhet. Both teams met there, with Dr. Tang Kiat Beng's team arriving first. While waiting for other team members, they visited a local hardware store to see the available tools and accessories.

Surveying School Grounds

On November 30th, in the afternoon, the relief team split into two groups. The first group, of Dr. Tang Kiat Beng, Raymond Kua, Hong De-qian, Dr. Nirdesh Shakya, and an assistant to the Prime Minister, engaged in discussions with the Chairman of Rimna Village in Jajarkot district and the School Committee Chairman. They focused on matters related to the construction of makeshift classrooms and permanent schools.

Upon learning that the Lions Club had already begun constructing seven temporary classrooms at the school, the volunteers felt it was essential to convene with municipal officials. The meeting involved city government officials, ward leaders, school committee chairman, and volunteers. The mayor emphasized the need for integrated communication to avoid the duplication of effort and wasting resources.

Eventually, a consensus was reached: First, Tzu Chi would use the vacant space at Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School to build a sample classroom, establish a workshop, and train local volunteers in assembling prefabricated houses. Second, Tzu Chi would construct a permanent school, with a memorandum of understanding to be signed.

The second group, led by Teoh Paik Lim, Ng Yee Yung, Unish Khyaju, and Santosh Maurya, conducted a survey of the school grounds and buildings at Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School. They prepared a warehouse for building materials, identified a location for a workshop, and designated a spot to assemble the sample classroom, which would later serve as an office. They also reached an agreement with Shree Jana Yuwa Primary School on where the school would clear the land, and Tzu Chi would build a temporary school.

On December 1, volunteers visited the community hospital to assess the post-earthquake medical situation. They also met the mayor of Nalgad to discuss and sign an MOU with the city government, to facilitate subsequent relief action. Additionally, volunteers visited Shree Dipendra Primary School to understand the impact of the disaster; they also went to a hardware store in the hillside town to prepare tools, and began coordinating with a shipping company to transport building materials for the makeshift classrooms from Lumbini to Rimna Village.

On December 2, due to unforeseen circumstances, volunteers could not visit the mayor of Aathbiskot City. However, the mayor, without hesitation, asked: “Where are you? I can come to you.” Upon meeting the volunteers, he learned that the construction team had already surveyed the recommended Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School. He assured them of his commitment, and promised to clear the collapsed classrooms immediately and allow construction of the new prefabricated classrooms to commence promptly.

Designs Painted by Students Become Reality

On December 3, the volunteer team embarked on the challenging journey to deliver building materials for the construction of sixteen prefabricated classrooms in the severely affected areas. After a bumpy journey of over twenty hours, the large truck finally arrived at Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School in the afternoon, ready for action.

The construction team, with local volunteers, swiftly unloaded building materials, frames, and roofing materials from the truck. Under the guidance of Teoh Paik Lim, structural diagrams and step-by-step building instructions were shared using images on mobile phone screens. This facilitated hands-on training for the local volunteers engaged in a 'cash for work' program. Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School, as the largest in the area, was chosen as the demonstration school and training ground.

Dr. Tang reflected on the challenges of this relief effort: "Some organizations only provide plastic sheets and let villagers build makeshift classrooms themselves, while others use wood, bamboo, and zinc sheets. When the school saw Tzu Chi's prefabricated classrooms, they were thrilled and highly anticipative." Remaining true to their commitment, volunteers aimed to complete the construction before the onset of the winter snow. They want to provide children with a sturdy and warm learning environment as soon as possible.

Dr. Tang continued: "Our prefabricated building materials are currently prepared in Lumbini, and we assemble them here in the disaster-stricken area, hoping to bring the love of Lumbini volunteers to the affected region."

Displaying a design sketch, Teoh Paik Lim explained that the assembly of building materials was simple and could be completed within a day, to ensure both solidity and safety. The roof, consisted of three layers—plywood at the bottom, a plastic sponge in the middle, and zinc sheets on top. This provides thermal and sound insulation, making it ideal for students during class.

Beyond its functionality, the hardware structure is a symbol of everyone's care and thoughtfulness. Teoh Paik Lim continued: "We even purchased 10mm-thick walls, thicker than those of typical prefabricated houses, because I worry that children playing around might accidentally damage them. As for windows, to enhance safety for the children, we replaced all the glass with plastic." His sincere expression conveyed his deep love and concern.

Under the clear winter sky, across the vast school campus, teachers led children out of stifling makeshift classrooms covered with plastic sheets and conducted classes in a large circle on the playground. The children, now able to draw on the grass, depicted houses remarkably similar to the prefabricated classrooms, complete with roofs and windows. The arrival of the eagerly awaited truck brought joy that the children could not contain -- their innocent smiles reflected the beauty of the houses in their drawings, evoking a heartfelt response. The volunteers pledged to make these dreams a reality as quickly as they could.

Constant Progress Despite Rain and Power Outages

"On this rainy day with a power outage, progress on the prefabricated classrooms is a bit slow," sighed Teoh Paik Lim on the morning of December 4 as light rain fell in the mountains, further complicating construction work that was already challenging.

Despite the adverse weather conditions and power outage, the construction team was undeterred. They donned Tzu Chi volunteer vests and continued with the building process, determined not to let the weather delay their progress. The team collectively worked to attach walls and roofs to the iron frames set up the previous day (December 3); they hoped to complete the construction of the prefabricated classrooms smoothly by the end of the day.

“The roof isn't fully secured yet, and the doors haven't been installed. In Lumbini, contractors usually handle the installation of aluminum windows. Here, we need a few practice rounds, and then it should go smoothly,” said Teoh Paik Lim, diligently providing guidance and pointing out details that needed improvement. His meticulous attention to detail reflected his unwavering commitment.

"The house is built so sturdy, with so many windows and such a large roof!" With the collective efforts of the team, the brand-new and spacious prefabricated classrooms stood tall on the school grounds – they attracted the attention and admiration of many local people. Some inquired about the cost, hoping that the volunteers could assist in rebuilding their homes. Persistent queries continued until the volunteers completed their work and left.

The prefabricated classrooms built by the Lumbini construction team with local residents, shows priceless love. The volunteers' greatest wish is to see the children in the disaster-stricken area return to classrooms where they can study with peace of mind. The journey of reconstruction is long, and the dedication of the volunteers remains unwavering.

Click the link to see how fast the volunteers completed a prefab classroom.

Written by Goh Lam Kia, Unish Khyaju, Wu Xiu Ling | Nepal | 2023/12/07