The finished Etay community building: a two-storey red-brick building with carved wooden windows, a row of carved wooden pillars along the ground floor and a raised stone platform in front, under strings of blue and white bunting

Rebuilding

How to make a difference to a small community.

The Alain Rouveure Nepal Fund has built an Earthquake Proof Community Centre in Etay Village, Kavre District, two hours from the capital, Kathmandu, and handed it over to the local government.

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Nepal is on a powerful geological fault.

The 2015 Earthquakes have had devastating effects on the population, in particular the poorest families in rural areas.

Many have lost their homes and land in land slides.

Unless the people can afford a costly reinforced building, there is nowhere safe for them and their children to live.

A safe building for 350 people.

This safe building is essential for the Community and can shelter 350 people in emergency situations.

A new safe earthquake-resistant new building matches the old crumbling 17th century Pati, pilgrim’s shelter, in the center of the village, only 100 yards from the school.

By doubling its foot print and lowering the ground floor, we were able to create 3 solid levels that can accommodate 350 people in case of emergency.

Alain Rouveure, writing to supporters on
Architect’s rendering of the new community centre at Etay: a two-storey brick building with a wide tiled roof, carved wooden windows and an arcaded ground floor
The architect’s drawing for Etay, by Yogendra Agrahari. The new build reuses the old original restored windows and pillars, keeping the traditional Newar architecture alive.

Built and handed over.

We have successfully completed the new Pati at Etay and in April 2025, we officially handed it over to the local Community.

Thank you to all who donated. This building is our lasting gift to vulnerable families who could never have afforded it for their security.

A short film from The ARNF.

Plays on YouTube. The video is not loaded until you press play.

A film from the ARNF YouTube channel.

Give to the work at Etay.

Alain funds his own travel to Nepal twice a year, so what you give goes to the building and the children rather than to running the charity.

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Alain’s full account of the Etay build The village meetings, the elected community board, the three-signature bank account, and why reinforced concrete was the only method local government would pass. In his own words, published exactly as he sent it. Read the letter