THE ASHA KENDRA BOYS HOME CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The Nepal boys work is called Asha Kendra and is a Nepali government registered NGO. We have been operating since 2000 and have about twenty boys.
Over time we have become increasingly frustrated because of the chronic high population density within Kathmandu city. In the particular home that we will be renting (up until April 2010) there is absolutely nowhere for the kids to play. Surrounding the house are 4 – 5 storey buildings which are so tightly packed in that you can, in some instances jump from one building to another.
The mud patch to the right of the leafy green bush is the boys recreation area.
Our boys are country boys. Some are from very remote regions up in the Himalayas. Some are from remote Tibetan Buddhist regions nestled around the Himalayan and Annapurna mountains. As part of good all round social, spiritual and physical development we want our kids to be able to play, raise animals and tend to crops. To have space to breathe!
We purchased a half acre block of land on the outskirts of the city and as of February 2010 we commenced construction of what can potentially be a 3 storey home. We have sufficient funds to construct Stage 1 of the project. Stage 1 is the most expensive part of the project which includes all of the foundations, the ground floor, kitchen, staff quarters, septic tanks, power, driveways, water etc
We have now bulldozed the upper rice terrace down to the same level as the widest terrace and have now started constructing the home on this site.
We will carry out Stage 2 (the second floor) at a later date when we have the funds and when it is deemed necessary to develop more living space.
The ground floor is 247 square yards in area while floors two and three are each 178 square yards. We are hoping to have Stage 1 completed by September 2010. The building will take several months to construct.
Construction of the road leading up to our land (to the right)
The Stage 1 development can easily house up to 25 boys. After Stage 2 is completed the boys will move upstairs and sleep in 5 bedrooms while downstairs will be converted into homework rooms, dining rooms, living areas etc.
This complex will be by far and away superior to what we are currently utilizing.
In addition, with the use of this land we can become more food-self-sufficient as is the case in some of our other projects.
We are looking to construct a house similar to the style of this building.
