In the plains of Kapilvastu, in Nepal’s Tarai region, young children often begin their educational journey in conditions that are far from ideal. Most school buildings are made of reinforced concrete, a material that traps heat during the long summer months and becomes particularly cold in winter. For young children, these conditions can make learning more difficult.
In Bijayanagar, another challenge made access to education even harder. The community-based Early Childhood Development (ECD) center was operating from a school building located far from the village. For young children, some as young as three, the daily journey of more than a kilometer was long and difficult. For some families, this distance limited children’s access to early education.
A space designed for young children
In response to this situation, Karuna-Shechen set out to create a space closer to families, designed specifically for young children and better suited to the local climate.
The aim was not simply to build another classroom, but to explore a more sustainable and comfortable way of building, adapted to the realities of the community.
Building differently, with earth
As the project took shape, rammed earth construction emerged as a promising solution. Already used in some parts of Nepal, this method primarily uses locally available soil to create strong and durable structures.
It also offers an advantage particularly suited to the local climate: earth naturally helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping spaces cooler during periods of intense heat and warmer during colder months.
This approach provided a practical response to the conditions children faced every day, while also offering a more environmentally sustainable alternative.
With technical support from Rammed Earth Solutions and in collaboration with architects, the project gradually took shape. Designs were developed, reviewed and refined, while particular attention was given to the structural safety of the building. At the same time, discussions were held with local authorities and community members.
A project driven by the community
At first, the idea of building with earth raised some concerns. The technique was new to part of the community, and local authorities also had reservations. Through dialogue, technical guidance and a gradual process of building trust, perceptions began to change.
A decisive step came when Tulsi Ram Kurmi, a local resident and Chairperson of the Early Childhood Development center, offered part of his own land for the new center.
Having experienced the challenges of accessing education in his own village, Tulsi understood what a long journey to school could mean. His donation of 3,000 square feet of land, approximately 280 square meters, made it possible to establish the new center at the heart of the village and spare young children a daily journey of more than one kilometer.
I am not doing anything extraordinary. I am only doing what I felt was right. This land may be mine on paper, but the children of this village are also mine. If giving a small piece of what I have can make their lives a little easier, that is enough for me.
A new space for learning
Today, the building is complete and ready to welcome children. Located at the heart of the village, the new Early Childhood Development center provides a safe, comfortable and accessible space where children can take their first steps into education in better conditions.
Beyond the building itself, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when local knowledge, innovation and community commitment come together. Rammed earth construction offers a practical response to local climate and environmental challenges, while creating a space adapted to the needs of young children.
The experience of Bijayanagar could pave the way for similar initiatives in other rural communities across Nepal: learning spaces designed closer to communities, using solutions adapted to their environment and local realities.
