Within a week, volunteers organized the delivery of prefabricated construction materials to the disaster-stricken area, with the aim of using them as classrooms. | Image captured from Da Ai News

On November 3, a shallow-depth earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck the western mountainous region of Nepal. It killed 158 people, and left a trail of destruction -- homes collapsed and schools were severely damaged.

Soon after the quake, volunteers in Lumbini, Nepal went to the disaster-hit area to assess the damage. They immediately decided to help construct prefabricated classrooms, with the aim of providing a sense of security to the pupils returning to their studies.

On completing the disaster assessment, the volunteers returned to Lumbini and launched an action plan -- preparing building materials. This involved constructing 16 temporary classrooms for two schools, including the largest one in the area, Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School.

The volunteers opted for the assembly of prefabricated structures, to prepare the building materials in advance in Lumbini. The design plans were drawn up beforehand to ensure that, once all the materials reached the disaster zone, the classrooms could be erected within a week. They will offer a secure learning space for students during the winter.

Undeterred by a looming winter snowfall, volunteers worked tirelessly to construct 16 prefabricated classrooms for the two schools. The echoing sounds of grinding and cutting filled the air as the volunteers, driven by a shared purpose, prepared the building materials.

On November 27, the volunteers went to purchase building supplies. As soon as the goods arrived in the afternoon, they started cutting operations immediately.  Volunteer Chen Lai-shun (陳來順) emphasized the urgency: "We hope to quickly prepare all the needed materials within a week and deliver them to the disaster area as soon as possible."

With 200 square steel pipes requiring grinding, painting, and precision cutting, the volunteers diligently prepared materials to construct the temporary classrooms at Shree Bheri Tribeni Secondary School. Volunteer Aqiudia joyfully said: "Many schools have been affected by the earthquake. We have been preparing materials for them for two consecutive days, but I am very happy to help them together with everyone."

While natural disasters are relentless, the human spirit prevails, and the volunteers' collective action has inspired hope. The construction of prefabricated classrooms not only aims to provide students with a good learning environment but also seeks to give them a sense of security during these challenging times.

Written by Raj Kumar, Unish Khyaju, Hong Deqian, Amarkesh | Nepal, 2023/11/30