Smart Shelter Foundation

In Nepal we are busy with the construction of the hostel for blind students. We are very happy that all the necessary finance has been found and we thank everyone who has donated to this project. Our local partner SEED Foundation will finish this project.

The coming period we are looking at possible projects in Indonesia. We have contacts on Java, Bali and Lombok, and we are discussing the possibilities for collaboration. Smart Shelter Foundation wants to emphasis more on the promotion of alternative construction techniques and on technology transfer. We are now thinking about starting up a Research and Technology Centre where local people can learn how to build. As soon as we have more news, we will inform you right away!

Hostel for blind students in Bhandar Dhik, Nepal		work in progress

Finished projects

Earthquake resistant construction and masonry training in general (2007 -)

13 Earthquake Resistant Schools and an Animal & Agricultural Centre in Nepal (2007 - 2009)

Pre-literacy school in Vellalapatty, Zuid India (2007)

Rebuilding after the tsunami in Kurukkalmadam en Mankadu, Sri Lanka (2006)

Hostel for blind students in Bhandar Dhik, Nepal

The school community in Bhandar Dhik includes one special classroom, where 10 blind and visually impaired children learn to read and write in Braille. After the first year of learning, they can follow the regular classes from year 2 upto year 5. As these children are all coming from the remote mountain areas, the school is in desperate need of decent and specially adjusted accommodation for these children. Also the school wants to double the number of children to 20, and enable them to stay in school upto class 10. The estimate consists of 2 parts, being the building and the interior. For the latter we are still busy with the fundraising. Smart Shelter Foundation, with its partner SEED Foundation, have started with the construction in December 2008. The project sheet can be downloaded here.

Finished Projects

Below you can find a selection of projects of Smart Shelter Foundation, which we have carried out succesfully in the last few years. The files contain background information of the projects, it explains about the costs of the projects and they show many many pictures.

Earthquake resistant construction and masonry training in general (2007 -)

Before we start with the actual construction of our projects, we give training to the local masons, carpenters and village representatives. The topics include general construction principles, knowledge about earthquakes and earthquake resistant construction methods, and proper material handling. Part of the training is informative and theoretical, but we also include some practical sessions on site. After that we treat the complete construction process as one huge training. Click below to find out how we make our buildings in Nepal earthquake resistant and how we improve the general quality. Of course the same knowledge applies for other countries that have a risk of earthquakes, such as India, Peru and Indonesia. For questions or technical support with your project, don't hesistate to contact us via info@smartshelterfoundation.org.

13 Earthquake Resistant Mountain Schools and an Animal Centre in Nepal (2007 - 2009)

Between 2007 and 2009 we have built an impressive number of 13 earthquake resistant mountain schools in the Kaski District of Nepal. Also we have constructed the regional Animal and Agricultural Centre. All projects were executed together with our local partner SEED Foundation. Their chairman Damodar Bhakta Thapa has proven that he fully understands what earthquake resistant construction is all about and we highly recommend him to anyone involved in construction around Pokhara. Click on the picture below to find an extensive overview of all these projects.

In a little village named Vellalapatty, about 10 kilometers away from the city of Salem in the south of India, a pre-literacy school is built using several alternative building techniques. The new building is a good example of a safe, child-friendly and playful environment. The school should encourage the parents to continue sending the children to school. The total construction costs were 5.800 euro, which was 2.600 euro less than the lowest offer from the local contractors. Click on the picture below for a detailed photo report.

The Canadian relief organization CRWRC has been working in two villages on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Fisrt 20 houses were built in Kurukkalmadam, for people who were living too close to the sea and therefore received no help from the government. After that new houses were built in two villages, following the ‘people driven housing’ principle. This means that the people were responsible themselves for the construction of their houses, but with technical and financial assistance from CRWRC and the government. The projects were started in November 2005 and were finished around the fall of 2006.