Update (13th June)

The rainy season is now starting in Nepal, meaning that we can't undertake any major building work for approximately three months. However, that doesn't mean we are not doing anything as we are busy fundraising so that we can get started on the highest priority repairs as soon as practical once the weather improves. As the previous table shows we were already aware of six schools in need of repair, and we have now learnt that our newest twin school Kalankee Primary in Kolkal has suffered both earthquake and flood damage and will also need assistance. 

Our twin schools in England have been fantastic, raising lots of money to help their Nepali friends and sending parcels to bring some smiles! We will shortly be launching an 'Everest Challenge' for both schools and our other supporters to raise more essential funds, and you can help by clicking the donate button to the right! 

      

Damage in Bhalebas village and at Kalankee Primary School in Kolkal. 

      

      

Children at Himalayan Primary in Mahchap with boxes full of toys and games sent by pupils at Howard Junior School in Kings Lynn. 

Update (23rd May)

Gathering accurate information is always challenging in Nepal, but we now have preliminary assessments from most of our schools following the second major earthquake in Nepal on 12th May. Several schools that had suffered minor damage in the first earthquake have now sustained much more significant damage requiring significant repair.

School	Damage
Shree Himalaya Primary, Mahcahap	The school now has major damage which may cause the school to collapse if not addressed ahead of the Monsoon season.
Ganodaya Secondary School, Okhaldhunga	Two class rooms in the newest building have suffered lots of cracks, which could cause collapse if not addressed.
Shree Rakama Devi, Jheksang	Has sustained a large number of cracks in the older building making it unsafe for use in it's current state.
Shree Bhagwati Lower Secondary, Bhalebas	The library and 3 classrooms have been damaged with significant cracks which need addressing.
Jandeep Secondary School, Dumre	3 classrooms have minor cracks and 2 have major cracks making them unsafe, and vulnerable to collapse during the Monsoon season.
Batase School, Gorkha	This school already required a rebuild following the first earthquake, but the situation has been further exacerbated by the second earthquake.

Manisha UK twin schools not listed above have all sustained some minor damage. Our initial local assessment is that this appears superficial and the schools are safe, but full assessment by qualified professionals is still required in some locations. 

                    

Structural damage at Jandeep, Dumre, including foundation damage and severe cracks to walls. 

                    

Batase School, Gorkha

Update (17th May) ...

Update (4th May) ...

Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, many of our friends and supporters have enquired how our schools and communities have fared, under the most difficult conditions imaginable.

As you will appreciate, it has been difficult to gain access to all the information we would like, particularly given the remote nature of some of the schools. However, the table below summarises the current situation. 

Our local team in Nepal, although affected themselves, have now been able to visit several of our schools and make an initial assessment. They observed a great deals of cracks and other damage, which needs proper assessment by engineers ahead of the monsoon season. This is now one of our primary focuses. We are hoping our local team will be able to visit all nine Palpa schools over the next week. 

In the meantime, we have at least had some word from each school, which is very encouraging. While the situation is much better than we had initially feared, all communities have been affected in some way. However, Batase school in Gorkha District, is very close to the epicentre, so we anticipate severe damage to village buildings, water supplies and sanitation. 

Clearly, the situation is very fluid and subject to change over the coming days, particularly in the event of any further aftershocks. So please check back regularly for updates.

Updates are now also available via Facebook and Twitter. 

Shree Bhagwati Himalaya School, Batase, Gorkha. October 2014 

Manisha UK Disaster Recovery Response ...

Having made an initial assessment of needs, the Trustees of Manisha UK believe our current priorities and plans should be as follows: