Construction Training in Nepal, 2007-2012

A vital element of all our projects is the extensive building training we organize for the local laborers.
All training in Nepal is done in cooperation with Damodar Bhakta Thapa of SEED Foundation.
Damodar organizes the training programs and makes sure that all building committees and representatives from the villages are present.
More importantly, we make sure the masons and carpenters; the people who are actually doing the work, attend as well.
During the sessions several presentations are shown. That is, when we have electricity…
We show movies about the earthquake situation in Nepal, and what to do if a seismic event occurs.
To make sure everyone understands the training, Damodar translates all workshops in the Nepali language.
Also all slides are translated into Nepali, so that the participants can follow the lectures easily.
Important part of our sessions is the hands-on training in the villages itself.
After explaining the theory of a certain technique…
…it is time for some real practice. For example, we explain how to make certain wall connections.
And we show why and how we need to reinforce hollow cement blocks.
We teach them about the correct ratio of ingredients and how to properly mix concrete.
We learn them how to make and to use so-called cement spacers, which we apply in concrete beams and slabs.
We introduce the measuring box, which enables them to mix large batches of concrete in the correct proportions of ingredients.
During our sessions we reach out to the local media, to raise awareness about the risk of earthquakes and how we can strengthen our buildings.
Article about our training programs in a local newspaper in Pokhara.
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Project Data

Start of program:	August 2007
End of program:	May 2012
Total costs of programs:	1.390 Euro
Contribution SSF:	715 Euro

The Project

We believe that extensive training is essential for a successful project. Before we start with the actual construction of our projects, we give training to the local masons, carpenters and village representatives.

The topics include general construction principles, knowledge about earthquakes and earthquake resistant construction methods, and proper material handling. All presentations, movies and hands-on training is done in their own language. Part of the training is informative and theoretical, but we also include some practical sessions on-site.

We have added a couple of technical pages on this website regarding these topics:

How to improve the overall construction quality, click here.
Basics of earthquake resistant construction, see here and here.
The basic principles of confined masonry you can find here.
If you need technical assistance with your project, feel free to contact us.

Our Partners and Sponsors for this project

In total we have trained about 250 masons, carpenters, villagers and representatives in over 14 different Nepali villages. These programs could not have been carried out without the help of SEED Foundation from Nepal, and certainly not without its chairman Damodar Bhakta Thapa. He took care of arranging and organizing the training sessions, and translated the events in Nepali to the participants.

Two training sessions were held in cooperation with, and were sponsored by CWS and World Vision from Nepal.