Stichting Veldwerk at Nepal

Secretariat: Stichting Veldwerk Postbus 163 1850 AD Heiloo The Netherlands

Tel:+31 (0)72-5339585 veldwerk@gmail.com IBAN nr. NL51ABNA0543703266 Attn. Stichting Veldwerk, p/a Egmond Binnen Bank: ABN-Amro 543703266

May 2007

May 15th, time is passing fast. We are running behind on schedule with our construction work. But that is the way it goes here in Nepal and I put it aside me. Getting angry will only rise your body heat (the temperature is really high) and is tiring.

In spite of all the delays, things have been going on.
In my last report in April I was talking about the septic tank. During building the tank, the men came across big rocks. They were too heavy to carry out (everything goes by hand over her), so the shape of the septic tank had to be adjusted. So now the tank will be build around the rock. The pipelines that are sticking out are part of the system, Bart and Thijs designed it that way. So the tank can be easily cleaned if necessary. On the field besides the tank concrete covers for the septic tank are being made.

On the outside “toedels” are introduced. They are used in traditional Newari style buildings. These wooden consoles in combination with the windows and doors turn the building into a beautiful whole, in style with the environment.
The gallery is getting paved with old-fashioned floor tiles. These tiles and the roofing tiles are being made in Bhaktapur, the old Newari town, which is only ten kilometres away from Kathmandu. But the tile maker is also running out of supplies. So the big roof has to wait on its tiles and will shine a bit more for a while.

The toilets blocks are beginning to get a shape, they tiled it simple but beautifully. Only the toilet for the handicapped children is not measured well, so it has to be demolished and reconstructed. Otherwise it is no use for disabled people.

The upper-floors in the rooms are ready and the kitchens are tiled and have granite counters. The counter only has to be finished-off. The gate in front of the stairs has been weld; it only needs a wooden border on top. The balcony is almost ready and the construction of the iron fencing has been done proper: it is very strong.

The painters are very busy, the windows and doors on the outside are painted “leave brown”, inside their will be lighter colours. The walls will be painted, at the bottom of the wall their will be wainscoted. This is really easy to clean and to maintain, with all the little children hands the walls get dirty fast.
The iron frame in front of the water heater was exactly measured on the water heater we have in the current children home. But this model could not be delivered any more, there was only one seize bigger, “but for the same price” said the store keeper! Very funny!!! Now the frame had to be remade which is costing a lot more. Oh, well, it has been done yet, so let the water heater come over!

In the meanwhile the children home exists five years and this day we also celebrate the children's birthdays. So time for a huge cake and presents, just like the years before.
So today we have a small party to celebrate with our 35 kids and the staff, I am very happy about reaching this point!

Until so far news from Kathmandu, I am looking forward to the day that it is all finished, but that can take another week or two…!

See you in June.

Rene Veldt
Stichting Veldwerk
"Action speaks louder then words"
Kathmandu-Nepal