Holistic Rehabilitation for Post-Earthquake Nepal

Last month, Nepal marked the fourth anniversary of the Gorkha Earthquake.

The earthquake, which shook Nepal in April 2015, claimed the lives of over 8,000 people, displaced some 3.5 million people, and cause $10 billion in damage-- 50% of Nepal's GDP. IsraAID responded to needs on the ground providing psychosocial support, temporary shelter, and education support.

In continuation of IsraAID's efforts in last four years toward reconstruction and rehabilitation in Nepal, we are building community centre which will serve as a common hub for socio-cultural activities and community learning, aiming to empower the earthquake affected area. This center will answer a number of needs-- including a physical space for providing health programming, create new employment opportunities for vulnerable populations, and host trainings for emergency preparedness and other events.

In April, the IsraAID team, together with representatives from the Nepalese Ministry of Social Welfare Council and the local government office, visited the construction site in Sindhupalchok District. This area was one of the epicentres of the Gorkha Earthquake.

We're very excited to see the progress being made, and to continue providing the necessary support to finish remaining works.

We are grateful to the local community and our donors for being with us build back better toward a stronger and more resilient Nepal!

Thank you for your support!

On Saturday 25th of April 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal, and its capital Kathmandu. Two weeks later, as the situation began to normalize somewhat, another large 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country, causing extensive damage and fears of further instability. Over 8,200 were killed, 15,000 injured, 600,000 houses damaged, and over 8.1 million were in need of life-saving assistance.

As communities continue to rebuild, many lack spaces where people can come together to learn and grow together. "We do not have a communal place where we can gather and share our issues or to conduct trainings," said a member of the Sindhupalchok community.

By creating a space that provides a spectrum of resources and services to local community members, IsraAID's team on the ground seeks to bolster community resilience through creating additional sources of income, access, and upward mobility.

In collaboration with the local health clinc, a curriculum for the health class on menstrual hygiene and adolescent changes has been developed for implementation in the center. To break the stigma surrounding menstrual hygiene and behavioral change among adolescent’s youth, a team of actors to raise community awareness and increase public discourse around these culturally sensitive issues.

In order to create new sources of income for locals, 20 women are participating in beekeeper's training at the community center. As the training ends, the community will continue to take responsibility for the beehives and jumpstart small business opportunities to the benefit of the wider community.

Check out the attached photos of the ground breaking!!!

Thanks for your support!

IsraAID Nepal’s Education and Livelihood Project (ELP), run in partnership with SOS Children Villages Nepal, has worked over the past two years providing scholarships, vocational training, and emotional support for young Nepalese youth.

After two years of learning, discussing, and growing together, the group participants will be graduating from the program this month!

All 28 participants in the program were either orphaned as a result of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, or left in a single-parent home, thus significantly decreasing their access to the financial means to complete their studies and find upward mobility in their society.

The ELP program, which runs over two years, has multiple tracks to support the varying interests of participants. One track focuses on vocational training, providing internship placements, empowerment activities, emotional support, and leadership skills, while the other supports students continuing their studies to a 2-year post high school diploma program.

Now that our program participants have graduated, they will all be invited to apply for micro-grants from IsraAID and SOS to jump start a small business or begin a new employment-related project.

Krishna, 23, describes his journey to ELP:

“I am very happy to have participated in this program. I was having a very difficult time managing my school fees and I was on the verge of dropping out…One day, I heard about the application call for scholarship for underprivileged youths through SOS and IsraAID. Ever since that day, my life has changed, now I am studying Hotel Management, the subject of my interest, with the scholarship provided by IsraAID.”

Shree, 24, lost his father at a young age and also lost his house during the earthquake. Shree is one of the top students at the Sanothimi Technical Institute where he is studying to become an electrician. He shared:

“I was left with no choice, no option to support my younger brother’s studies as well as my living costs. Then, one day, I saw the opportunity for vocational training with ELP. I always looked for some handyman skills and was interested in pursuing a course to become an electrician so that I can have a regular salary and support my family.

I was selected and from then on, my life has been completely different. I’ve already received job offers, but I’m waiting until I complete my course. I feel lot more confident, competent and relaxed that something is there for me. I can see a whole new life ahead of me.”

Ramesh, 25, explained:

“I lost my mother and I could not continue my studies after tenth grade. The 2015 earthquake demolished my house and my entire village. I was struggling to move forward in my life, there was no hope. One day, I heard the application call on a local radio station for vocational training. I got enrolled here, studying hostel facilities. The environment at the institute and especially the teachers helped me to learn to cook. I already got a paid internship opportunity at a restaurant!

Though this is only the beginning, I feel that I can conquer many things in the days to come and be strong enough to move forward with my career and my future.”

Congratulations to our graduates, and best of luck!

Thank you to our supporters who keep this program running!

In April 2015, Nepal was hit by a devastating 7.8 magnitute earthquake, causing widespread damage. Nearly 9,000 people were killed and nearly 22,000 injured, with 600,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. Soon after, IsraAID mobilized to provide vital, lifesaving support. 

Since then, IsraAID has been committed to supporting Nepal's recovery and growth through psychosocial support, livelihood programs, safe water, and more.

Vocational Training for Students

Together with SOS Childrens Villages, and in conjunction with JISP (Japan IsraAID Support Program), IsraAID Nepal has been supporting 16 students from low-income backgrounds in areas affected by the 2015 earthquake as they take part in vocational training, learning key skills such as hairdressing, mechanics, and carpentry.

Together, we are so proud of all the hard work our vocational training students have put in! From attending technical training institutes and learning an employable trade, to participating in team building workshops, these young professionals have shown real commitment as they transition into self-sufficient adults.

IsraAID has been providing them with counseling and support to help ensure that they have all the tools needed to complete their vocational studies and find employment,

Staff Training!

In August, IsraAID was able to work on in-house growth of our staff, including a First Aid training course and a comprehensive break-down of the new Nepali Federal System. We value the preparedness of our staff to respond to emergencies both in an organization and as individuals, and would like to recognize their active and eager participation!

School-based interventions are crucial to helping children gain key psychological and social skills like problem management, self-awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, non-violence, communication and valuing diversity. This is particularly important in areas affecting by the 2015 earthquake, which are still in the process of recovery – both physical and social.

In Pharping, Nepal, IsraAID is training teachers in how to use art therapy to support their students’ mental health. An area with a high dropout rate, improving mental health support systems in schools will also encourage students to remain in education for longer, improving their long-term livelihood prospects.

Pharping municipality lies about 19km south of central Kathmandu. Although relatively close to Nepal's large capital city, there is a stark difference in development, lifestyle and access to basic necessities.

In the first few months of 2018, IsraAID has trained 36 teachers from 19 of Pharping’s schools in art therapy techniques. They will reach 3,285 students. For many teachers, this was the first time they had received any psychological support training.

One of the teachers trained by IsraAID said:

“Thanks to the IsraAid trainers for providing a platform where we were able to learn so many new things, many of which were new to me, despite my long teaching experience. The training helped me to understand the importance of students’ underlying emotions. Meditation and art therapy activities motivate children to be more active and to explore and bring out their internal capacities and strengths.”

Thank you for your generous support, which makes this program possible. More updates to follow ...