Greek couple Elpis Chrysovergis and Dora Bitsi traveled to Takure, Nepal, for a month, to help locals rebuild their community and get their lives back to normal. Almost 95% of the houses in Takure were destroyed by the earthquakes that affected the region last April and May.
The living conditions in the area are difficult. The couple is currently living in a tent with no electricity or running water, while the temperatures are very low, due to the high altitude.
“We are helping a local organization in two large projects. The first involves the construction of two schools using earth materials, such as sand, clay and soil. The second project, which we are working on at the moment is the creation of a large greenhouse. Our goal is to plant thousands of avocado and cacao trees in the greenhouse, which will be grown by the locals. This way we will help the community develop a viable business and secure money to rebuild houses from scratch,” explained Elpis Chrysovergis to ANA-MPA.
The “Greenhouse Project” campaign aims for the construction of a greenhouse and the sale of the crops produced in the greenhouse, in order to make the community self-sustained for the next 15 to 20 years. “We have implemented similar projects in the past in various places in Europe and Africa. When we heard the news about the earthquake in Nepal and the consequences of the phenomenon we felt the need to help,” added Elpis.
“In just a few moments the locals lost everything. They have no homes and at the moment the temperatures are very low. We wanted to take the risk. We left our whole lives behind and came here to help as much as we could,” he said.
The online campaign titled “The Greenhouse Project” aims to raise funds to cover the cost of the greenhouse construction, which is estimated at 65,000 euros. People who donate are rewarded with a “thank you” picture, while the local community children plant a sapling tree with each donor’s name.
Events have been organized in cities across Greece in order to raise money for the Greenhouse Project.
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