In the early morning of March 24, over 90 individuals gathered at the construction site of the Tzu Chi Lumbini Campus in Nepal. Together, they formed a human chain, carrying and passing heavy interlocking bricks to pave a new road. Among them was Binod Thapa, a local staff member at the free clinic, who joined the effort with a strong desire to serve his community.
Finding wealth in giving
Binod helps patients register at the free clinic. Knowing the challenges his community faces in accessing medical care, he deeply values the clinic's presence and the relief it brings to those who are unwell.
Medical resources are scarce in Lumbini, and people often have to travel to Bhairahawa or Butwal for treatment. The free clinic is very helpful for the poor who cannot afford medical care.— Binod Thapa, Clinic Staff
Binod's journey of service began in 2023 when he was introduced to the organization by Rishikesh Maurya. During that time, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Jajarkot in Karnali Province, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands homeless. Moved by the plight of those who lost their homes, Binod spent his time helping to build prefabricated houses at the local office.
Despite his dedication to helping others, Binod faces his own challenges. With a retired father, a brother battling depression, and a family of six to support, his income is stretched thin. He is a recipient of rice distributions, which ease his family's burden. Inspired by the teachings he heard from volunteers, Binod also embraced a vegetarian diet over a year ago after learning about its benefits from Malaysian volunteer Tan Lye Soon (陳來順) and Singaporean volunteer Lee Teck Hock (李德福).
"I am healthy and strong, so I can carry four or five interlocking bricks at a time to help out," Binod said. Even though he still requires assistance to make ends meet, his desire to give back remains strong. "Since I was a child, I have wanted to help others. Although my abilities are currently limited, I am willing to do a little bit more."
Building a solid foundation
At 7:00 a.m., after a brief morning exercise, the group put on their gloves and got to work. Malaysian volunteer Choo Kok Choi (朱國財) and local volunteer Santosh Maurya crouched at the front of the line. Using a long measuring stick, they carefully leveled the yellow earth to ensure a flat foundation.
The foundation must be solid. Just like volunteers progressing step by step through their training, a firm base ensures the path can be laid straight and steady.—Choo Kok Choi, Volunteer
LEFT: Volunteer Kok Chai Choo carefully levels the soil with a measuring stick to ensure a flat foundation. | Photo: Ramesh RIGHT: Volunteer Lee Kok Heong (left) works diligently at the front, tapping the bricks firmly into place. | Photo: Willy Ang (洪德謙)
Singaporean volunteer Lee Kok Heong (李國香) crouched on the ground, receiving bricks from Khoo Kean Yee (邱建義) and tapping them firmly into place with a hammer. Behind them, volunteers formed two long lines, continuously passing the heavy materials forward. Khoo viewed the morning's work as symbolic of their broader goals in Nepal—paving the way for local residents to step forward and lead their own communities.
A connected community
Also joining the effort was Sio Kee Hong (蘇祈逢), who noted that the interlocking bricks allow the earth to breathe, coexisting with the environment. He reflected that just as every brick and gap must be tightly connected to create a broad, straight road, the community must work together to achieve their goals.
LEFT: Khoo Kean Yee believes paving the path symbolizes leading local volunteers to complete their mission. RIGHT: Sio Kee Hong (right) reflects that the tightly connected bricks represent the community working together. | Photos: Willy Ang
Anita Harijan, a student in the sewing class, joined the physical labor despite her slender frame. She found the experience rewarding and encouraging.
If there are few people, it takes a lot of time and effort. But today, we are united and working hand in hand to complete the task. I am very happy, and I don't feel tired at all.— Anita Harijan, Sewing Class Student
LEFT: Sewing class student Anita Harijan joined the effort, finding joy in teamwork despite the physical labor. RIGHT: Goh Lam Kai (right) says passing bricks in a human chain saves energy and fosters a sense of family. | Photos: Ramesh
Singaporean volunteer Goh Lam Kai (吳南凱) carefully received and passed each 2.5-kilogram brick. By passing the materials down a human chain, the team conserved energy and shared a moment of connection, which he described as feeling "just like a family."
In less than two hours, the group successfully laid 66 rows of bricks, completing a 1,914-brick path. Through their shared effort, the volunteers and community members demonstrated that even the heaviest burdens become lighter when carried together.
Written by Pai Ru-Lu (白如璐)
