Our solution to the annual flooding that many areas of Nepal experience are platform buildings that are lofted above the ground on cement pillars (read more about them here). These floods can be deadly, and many communities are left defenseless against the water, unable to protect their food or livestock from being washed away.
Recently, the integrity of one of our flood buildings was tested and passed with flying colors! The picture below shows a community member pointing to the level the water rose to at the height of the flooding. The building stood firm against the waters, as intended.
In the past six months, two raised-platform, church buildings have been finished and inaugurated. These raised buildings will double as community flood shelters as well. The church members are thrilled about their new building that will help free them from worrying about rising water levels ruining their meeting place.
One of the churches inaugurated was Amora Church. Take a look at the before and after pictures below. The church went from meeting in a hut with mud floors and no walls to a sturdy brick building that is safe from floods and other adverse weather conditions.
Currently, four other buildings are underway. One of which is the Peeperkoti church, funded by Christ’s Church in Joplin, Missouri. This church is located next to Grace School and housed the beginnings of the school many years ago, before the current Grace Primary School building was built. The old church building has been torn down, and the new one is being constructed on the same plot of land. There are plans to use the Peerperkoti church as a community center as well as a meeting place for the church, since it will be much larger than many of the other platform buildings. This structure will serve the local church and also be available to the wider community as a safe place for shelter and fellowship.
With so many buildings going up, you might be wondering: “Who exactly is paying for these?!” Answer: Each building has unique funding. All of the labor, furnishings, and upkeep of the buildings is provided by the local community. When a church or business provides the upfront cost, they are making a one-time donation to purchase the materials for the basic structure of the building, and it requires no additional funding from outside sources beyond that. It’s a low commitment model that requires a one-time donation, not years of upkeep and maintenance, which can put a strain on donors.
The best part of funding a building is the tangible, relevant impact for the community who receives it: providing jobs, safety from floods, and pride to each church community.
If you or your organization are interested in funding a platform building, contact us at bridgetonepal@gmail.com.