Empower Nepal to Rebuild Safer Houses and Schools

Build Change Nepal is happy to report that we have moved forward full steam on our mason’s training program. Our training team, comprised of local engineers and builders, has developed training modules and a set of minimum skills needed by builders to construct an earthquake resistant house. Examples of these minimum standards include when the builder possesses the skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary to:

• Promote the use of disaster-resistant construction practice;
• Carry out basic measurements and estimation of quantities;
• Interpret construction drawings and specifications and create basic house sketches;
• Outline the key steps in preparing a small scale construction project;
• Perform building layout, foundation digging, mortaring, rough carpentry, basic masonry, steel work, and plastering.

 The training team conducted three trial trainings from end of January to March to vet the training resources and train Build Change trainers on the curriculum and tools, as well as to establish systems for obtaining DUDBC certification for trained masons. The training team is currently compiling challenges, lessons learned, and best practices to inform future trainings and make any changes to the tools and curriculum deemed necessary.

We have trained over 90 masons and using our pre- and post-testing have documented an increase in knowledge of proper construction practice by 20%. With your generous support we can continue to deliver these important trainings and empower the people of Nepal to build back better and be resilient to disasters in the future.

Links:

• Go to our website to learn about our programs around the world.