SOS children from Nepal help build houses for the poor

Young people from SOS Children's Village Ithari in Nepal have spent their holidays volunteering for a Habitat for Humanity project to help build houses for the extremely poor.

21 young people from the SOS Children's Village Itahari worked hard to help the beneficiaries known as Dalits (untouchables) by building them new homes. "We always wanted to help out these poor people who work as daily wagers and most of the time they don't have the work and top of it they regarded as untouchables; their children are going through extreme misery," said Indra Magar, one of the teenagers.The people in the vicinity were happy to be helped: "We appreciate the efforts of children and I am sure the small gestures from these youngsters from SOS Children's Village Itahari will actually inspires many people to help the downtrodden in society." said a community leader.

The Habitat for Humanity sponsored the housing project and the children from SOS Children's Village Itahari volunteered for 15 days. "We helped in constructing about 10 houses made up of bamboo, green bricks and metal sheets which used in the roof. Bamboo is used in doors, windows, walls and other things. Clay is applied on the walls which protect it from the sun and water and also maintain the temperature," said Kalpana Thapa, an SOS teenager invovled. "We also saved our pocket money and bought books and stationary for the children - these people are illiterate and their children also have no means to study. We counseled them about the importance of education and provided books and other things," said Binod.

"It is good for the society when children understand and initiate voluntarily the actions that are reformist in nature and should have come from the elders; these should be encouraged," said Shubha Murthi the Continental Director of SOS Children, who was present when the newly built houses were handed over to the occupants."This sort of volunteer work has given a strong message of helping and sharing and very much appreciated by the community. I always encourage the volunteer work and children have an opportunity to learn the realities on the ground," said Ramesh Tamarkar the director of SOS Children's Village Itahari.

SOS Children's Village Itahari is home to 147 children and situated in Sunsari district near border with India.