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Earth-bag builders wanted to join Nepal earthquake team                             CYCLE REPAIRS
       A group of children at                                       desperately urgent.
       Angel’s Orphanage in the                                      “The donations people          FREE
       capital of Nepal, helped                                     have been making since        collection &
       by the people of Swindon                                     the earthquake have
       for over five years, need                                    been sent to different        delivery from
       continued support following                                  groups we’re in touch        home or work
       two major earthquakes, on                                    with to buy rice, lentils,
       25 April and 12 May.                                         medicines, baby formula,   The BIKE DOCTOR
        Their house did not                                         anti-diarrhoea tablets and   Over 35 years experience
       collapse and nobody was                                      mattresses, and delivered   Servicing and repairs
       injured, but the future looks                                to villagers.         We also sell parts & accessories
       uncertain say Rosa and Ian                                    “We are also collecting   www.bikedoctorswindon.co.uk
       Matheson from Highworth  Rosa with children at Angel’s in early April  to build an earth-bag
       who went to Kathmandu in                                     community house in which   For fast, friendly service, call
       March to find another building for   outside, but we have a problem. We  people can shelter whilst they   Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or evening
       the children after the owner gave   were able to sign a year’s extension  rebuild their own homes, especially   or 07850 650956 (mobile)
       notice that theirs was for sale.   to the lease until December 2016   widows and orphaned children.
        Rosa and Ian left Nepal a few days  before the earthquake, but the   “Earth-bag buildings are
       before the devastating earthquake   amount of destruction means rents   particularly good for areas prone
       suddenly struck but were able to   are rocketing up from already high   to earthquakes. In one village such
       quickly make contact with house   levels.             a centre was the only building left
       father Angel and his wife. Via Rosa   “Before we left we had already   standing after the quakes.
       he said: ‘It was  really frightening,   agreed use of a plot of land to   “Our plan is to collect a team
       we could not go straight, it was like  build a new children’s home and a   of  experienced ‘earth-builders’
       we were trees swaying around.’   clinic for women who cannot afford  and volunteers to go out after the
         Rosa added: “Thankfully they have  to pay for medical treatment but   rains - probably late September.
       somewhere to live, although they   these plans are on hold as we are   We’re asking volunteers to raise
       are spending nights under plastic   trying to help those whose need is   some money towards the project as
                                                             well as covering their own costs. To
       Glory children need help to rebuild lives             help this project please donate at
                                                             www.bit.ly/angelsbiggive”
                                                               To support the children through
                                                             desperately difficult times, donate
                                                             via angelsorphanage.com











       Christine with Year 10 students at the Glory School in 2014

        Story writer and translator Dr   “But things have changed since
       Christine Tipper, from Liden, has   the earthquakes. The majority of
       been supporting Glory English   pupils lived in those brick and mud
       School in Bhaktapur, east of   houses reduced to mounds of rubble
       Kathmandu in Nepal, for the last 4   you’ve seen on the news. They’ve
       years, and she’s appealing for help   lost their homes, their clothes,
       following the earthquakes.  their food, some have lost family
        Christine is raising money from a   members and friends. One little 7
       book of the children’s poems, texts   year old girl, Seena, has lost all five
       and jokes called ‘Writing for GLORY,’    members of her family.
       and an e-book of anecdotes about   “Pupils have lost their text books,
       her experiences called ‘Nepalese   notebooks, pens, pencils. Many
       Nuggets,’ available on Amazon.  parents have lost their income,
        She said: “I’m a strong believer in   Glory school will struggle to collect
       opening doors through education   fees and pay its teachers.
       and Glory is unusual as girls have   “The children are no longer care-  Quality shoes with quality service
       equal opportunity to flourish and   free. I receive messages from them   from Swindon’s family shoe shop
       shine.                     showing me the remains of what
        “The school takes a holistic ap-  were their houses. They are afraid to   Handbags and Accessories
       proach - they understand that there   go to sleep in case the earth moves   Shoes and seasonal footwear for adults and children
       is more to education than learning   again and they are crushed and they   Shoe Repair Service
       facts. Pupils are encouraged to   now sleep in the fields.
       express themselves through dance,   “These children desperately need   www.blaylocks-shoes.co.uk
       song, music and sport. At Glory   your help. If you can assist, please   R Blaylock & Son Footwear Specialists
       hugs, smiles, encouragement are   contact me at:
       the norm.                  [email protected]  1 & 3 Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AS   Tel: 01793 534271
                                                                                            swindonlink.com n June 2015  5
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