Tuesday, May 19, 2015

EARTH BAG SCHOOL - SKILLS LIST

Here's a list of skills required for the earth bag school rebuild projects October 12 and November 11.

We are looking for volunteers to work on the following:


  • Digging foundations (this is hard physical work)
  • Building earth bag walls (also hard work but there will be plenty of jobs for all).
  • Plastering (this can be done by anyone qualified plasterers are welcome)
  • Roofing (qualified builders preferred).
  • We also need general labourers to mix concrete, etc.
  • Structural Engineers
  • Electricians
Alongside the actual re-building of the schools we are looking for qualified and experienced teachers and educationalist who can continue to up-skill and help train First Steps Himalaya Nepali teachers. 

To donate..... https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/earthquakenepalrelief#

Becky & Tim
www.peakfreaks.com

Monday, May 11, 2015

Child Trafficking - STOP HERE!

A recent Australian article supports our initiative to first build an earth quake proof school in Sangachok before handing out money to unknown projects and to individuals, and to maximize funds to help root and protect one community at a time.
Home Away Home children


STOP HERE!

The other important project we are supporting is a well ran school in Namche Bazaar. The children in this home are not specifically called orphan's because they've been saved by Tsedam Sherpa's family and should be considered as a model for homeless or the very poor children of the Himalayas.  It's called the Home Away Home, it's a school and home that Tsedam and his family supports on their own from their lodge business to keep children of the Khumbu valley (Everest region) in their valley and protected from the risk of child trafficking sharks.

We've always said that the best ran, and most successful aid projects in the country have always been the ones ran by the people themselves. We can't stress this enough KNOW YOUR PEOPLE.

Tsedam Sherpa -daughters- teachers
Time is ticking and we are in urgent need to offer hope and protection to families below Namche Bazzar that are now homeless and their children are at risk.  Tsedam and family can save them but they need our help.


WIN:WIN

Please consider this or if you know someone who cancelled their EBC- Everest Base Camp trek this spring- send them our way. We have a trek organized October 11th with all the proceeds going to help support Home Away Home. You'll meet the children and meet Tsedam and his family to realize your investment in this adventure together.  Upon trip completion you will KNOW YOUR PEOPLE and know you helped save precious lives.

13 -day EBC Trek - October 11 - Cost $2980.00US- All inclusive from Kathmandu for a modified exploration Everest region trek.

 http://www.peakfreaks.com/trekoctitins.htm 
http://www.peakfreaks.com/everestbasecamptrek.htm

Please email us at peakfreaks@me.com if you can help us with either project. We have enough earth-home builders so now we turn our focus on the future of Home Away Home. 

Tim and Becky Rippel
www.peakfreaks.com
Canada






Wednesday, May 6, 2015

OPERATION EARTH BAG EXPEDITION




VIDEO 
When the teachers training centre was built, the earth quake resistance factor was not even considered, but now it makes perfect sense as an affordable and safe and environmentally friendly habitat plan for the future.


"NELSON CANADA teams with NELSON NEW ZEALAND"

EARTH BAG SCHOOL 

Our logistics are just about complete for the construction of an earth bag school in Sangachok
Becky & Tim Rippel
Peak Freak Expeditions Operators
www.peakfreaks.com
situated in one of Nepal's most devastated regions east of Kathmandu.

We are building a school in conjunction with New Zealand based First Steps Himalaya while locals learn from the process to build their own homes. Earth homes have proven to withstand a 7.8M earthquake. They are finished with mud and chicken wire. The dirt bags and wire allows the structure to stay intact while moving.  The current Teachers School that FSH built still stands and is currently being used as shelter for the homeless in this village.

We've been getting messages from other earth bags establishments in the Himalayas reporting that their structures also stood throughout the earthquake with only minor amounts mortar cracking off the wire finish.

http://www.3news.co.nz/…/earth-bag-building-still-standing-…

We are currently running with 1 team of 12 volunteers November 2, 2016. If everything goes to plan the walls will assembled in 10 days with this many people helping and with the help of the locals.


  • 10- Day volunteer work project - registration $500US pays for local transport to the village and back, three meals a day, camp facility and camp crew expedition style- in tents. 
  • Meet in Kathmandu no later than November 2, 2016.  Flexible departure, at your leisure. 


To donate for building, supplies and school materials.

Kudos, hugs and big thanks to each and everyone of you who have stepped up to the plate and donated so far.


Know Your People

We first met Durga Aran, Founding Director of First Steps Himalaya back in 1991 in Nepal when he worked as a waiter at the hotel we frequented, everyone loved his big smile and eagerness to assist.  He won the lotto when he met Fionna Heiton during her time working in Nepal.  More about FSH, Durga and Fionna.   http://www.firststepshimalaya.org/#!about-us/c14c3



For more information, please email us.


Tim and Becky Rippel
peakfreaks@me.com