Eugowra’s Jeanine Gibby has made the trip to Nepal four times over the last decade, and on the most recent visit she decided she wanted to do something practical to help out.

“I thought . . . maybe I’d like to do something really physical with the volunteering rather than training the teachers,” said Ms Gibby.

She’s looking for four or more volunteers to join her group on the trip, after recruiting some of her friends and neighbours.

After nine months of planning, Ms Gibby is confident the project to construct a girls’ school dormitory from earth bags will be as rewarding as it is demanding.

“People just usually say it’s such an altruistic thing. Well, everyone gains from it.” 

Constructing a building from bags of earth rather than ordinary bricks has its advantages.

“Making bricks is a very polluting effort, and they’re often flown in from Kathmandu,” she said.

“It’s a lot of physical work for the local people, so this is a cheaper on-the-spot method.”

The dormitory is planned for the village of Salleri, in the eastern region of Solukhumbu close to Mt Everest.

The project will run from November 30 to December 16 this year, and is run by the US-based Edge of Seven non-profit organisation.

The cost is $2660, which includes food, lodging, transport inside Nepal and a guide, but does not include the cost of a visa, travel insurance or international flights.

To find out more or volunteer yourself, contact Jeanine Gibby on 6867 1100, or email gibbyj@live.com.au.