Nepal Project

1. Introduction and Background

Shri Rajarshi Janak Secondary School, located in Kurtha, Janakpurdham Municipality-21, was established in 1960 (B.S. 2017) with the goal of providing foundational education to the community. Despite the growth of other private and public schools in the area, this institution has played a pivotal role in educating the local youth. However, the school faces significant challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, which limits its ability to accommodate its increasing student population and meet the growing needs for extracurricular and educational activities.

2. Project Location

• School Name: Shri Rajarshi Janak Secondary School
• Address: Kurtha, Janakpurdham Municipality-21, Dhanusha District, Nepal
• Reason for Choosing this Location:
  ○ Despite being located in a municipal area, the school suffers from a lack of adequate educational infrastructure.
  ○ The school plays a crucial role in serving the educational needs of the local community, particularly underprivileged students.

3. Current Educational Infrastructure and Needs

The existing infrastructure includes three old blocks with tin roofs, consisting of seven classrooms in the older building and four rooms in the newer building. These facilities are insufficient for the growing number of students, currently at 650. The school aims to expand its capacity and offer better learning conditions to over 2,000 students in the coming years.There is a clear need for additional infrastructure, particularly a multi-purpose hall for conducting various educational and extracurricular activities such as debates, quizzes, and seminars. The school has already begun preparations by constructing pillars for the hall on the roof of the new building.

4. Proposed Project: Hempcrete Hall Construction

• Objective: To build a 25′ x 50′ multi-purpose hall using eco friendly hempcrete on top of the existing school structure.
• Why Hempcrete?
  ○ Hempcrete is an environmentally sustainable building material that is energy-efficient, durable, and offers excellent insulation.
  ○ It will contribute to the school’s eco-friendly image while addressing the need for a structurally sound and long-lasting facility.
• Design and Structure:
  ○ The proposed hall will be constructed with bamboo-metal structure with hempcrete walls and hempcrete roof with clay tiles finishing to create a spacious, functional hall. The pillars already in place will support the new structure.
  ○ The hempcrete hall will be a sustainable, energy-efficient space that can accommodate 200-300 students at a time.

5. Budget and Funding Request

We request funding to cover the following:

• Materials for hempcrete construction, including hemp hurds, lime, and aggregates
• Labor costs for skilled and unskilled workers
• Roofing materials and installation
• Furnishing the hall with essential furniture
  Total Estimated Budget: $25,000 USD

6. Impact of the Project

1. Improved Educational Facilities:

• The new hall will support extracurricular activities, seminars, community meetings, and student assemblies, enriching the overall educational experience.

2. Addressing Overcrowding:

• With the current classrooms overburdened, the hall will alleviate some of the pressure, ensuring a better learning environment for the students.

3. Sustainable Construction:

• Using hempcrete will set an example for sustainable building practices in the region, contributing to the environmental consciousness of the school and the community.

4. Community Engagement and Growth:

• Local community will be involved in the construction process, promoting community ownership and knowledge sharing around natural construction.
• This project will serve as a hub for community activities, promoting social cohesion, and allowing the school to offer more services, thus increasing its relevance in the region.

5. Long-Term Benefits:

• More students will have access to quality education.
• The school will be able to handle increasing enrollment over the next 5–10 years,ensuring that future generations are not left behind.
• The construction will create temporary employment opportunities for local residents,
  stimulating economic activity.

7. Community and Long-Term Sustainability

• Educational Growth: The new structure will allow the school to expand its services, potentially doubling the number of students over the next decade.
• Local Development: The hall will serve not only students but also the broader community, offering a venue for events, training programs, and meetings.
• Job Creation: The construction and future maintenance of the hall will create jobs for local craftsmen and support staff.
• Environmental Responsibility: The hempcrete hall will demonstrate the viability of sustainable construction in Nepal, inspiring other schools and institutions to adopt eco-friendly building methods.

8. Conclusion

The construction of the hempcrete hall at Shri Rajarshi Janak Secondary School is a vital investment in both the school’s future and the community it serves. By funding this project, you will not only contribute to the educational development of over 650 students but also promote sustainable building practices in a region that greatly needs modern infrastructure. Your support will have a long-lasting impact on generations of students and the local community, helping to uplift an underdeveloped area and provide opportunities for education, employment, and environmental stewardship. We look forward to your favorable consideration and are ready to provide additional information if needed.

Submitted By

Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures (SHIV) is a certified B-Corp social enterprise dedicated to sustainable development and community empowerment through the innovative use of hemp. With a proven track record in project planning, execution, and management, SHIV focuses on creating eco-friendly infrastructure that supports local communities. Recently, we successfully completed the construction of a music room for a public school in Kathmandu, showcasing our ability to deliver impactful educational projects. As a B-Corp, SHIV is committed to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Photos and further details of our previous projects are available upon request.