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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