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Mum's hard work houses families in Nepal
THERE are beams a mile wide on the faces of 23 village families in a remote part of the world today, thanks to help from a Deepings woman.
THERE are beams a mile wide on the faces of 23 village families in a remote part of the world today, thanks to help from a Deepings woman.Initially, the Kamaiya people of Nepal were friendly but sceptical when a band of 26 Westerners came equipped with shovels and sand to help build houses for them.
But a week on, they are overjoyed and thankful.
The brick buildings are already taking shape, and providing warm and happy homes for families who were living in cramped clay huts.
Emotional but delighted by her experience, Amanda Flindall (43), from Deeping St James, near Market Deeping, said she felt thrilled to have made their "dreams come true".
The mum of four left her cosy life in the UK behind for the gruelling charity challenge, but it was one she couldn't turn down after hearing the villagers' plight.
In July 2000, the Nepalese Government ended the practice of bonded labour, which, for generations, had affected the lives of the Kamaiya people.
They had been forced to serve their masters to pay back loans taken out by their ancestors, and as the debts piled up, simply carried on serving as labourers.
But after being freed, they found themselves without shelter or the means to make a living.
In a bid to help them rebuild their lives, ActionAid organised the trip.
Mrs Flindall, who was part of the group, worked under a beating hot sun, brick-laying, carrying buckets and mixing cement.
She said the community gave them a warm welcome.
"As we passed under a gateway of flowers in the village, the Kamaiya women, in their finest clothes, placed a garland of marigolds over our heads and sprinkled petals over us," she said.
"We had not expected such a greeting, and the whole experience was really moving.
"The money we raised enabled the Kamaiya to build 23 houses – a home for each family.
"They were very excited about having a permanent home."
The group split into teams – Mrs Flindall's was named Girls Allowed – and they completed five sets of foundations.
Despite their hardship, such as no electricity, the people sang, danced and laughed with them.
Through a translator, they learned that, as slaves, the villagers worked from 2am to 10am each day, earning so little that if a family member became ill, they needed to approach their landlord for a loan.
Mrs Flindall said: "Life is still hard for them. The food they grow only lasts three to four months each year. Men often leave their families to work in India.
"The women said their brick houses were a dream come true.
"They were surprised about how hard we worked."
The people handed over handmade gifts to Mrs Flindall and the group, thanking them for their help.
She said: "We felt very privileged. It was a very emotional goodbye.
"It is good to know we made the dreams of 23 families come true."
Mrs Flindall also thanked the Deepings community for backing her with 3,000 sponsorship.
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