A team of Rotary and Rotaract volunteers in Kathmandu have continued their RSK shelter training with considerable enthusiasm. In only a few hours they have also greatly assisted the RSK shelter project by:
1. Taking the first steps to show how the RSK shelter can be built by following remote instructions. This can be invaluable in empowering distant communities that need emergency shelter in an emergency.
2. Building a full scale RSK roof frame in very restricted conditions. This small compound with concrete tiles on the ground was a challenge for building any shelter. We know we can leave the site undamaged with tiles as we found it when the shelter is disassembled. The RSK is an all terrain shelter that can also be built on sloping ground.
3. Adapting the shelter frame to local needs. In this case the requirement was for a service shelter and to leave the walls of the shelter open for security reasons (clear vision through the shelter was needed).
4. Introducing a new padding material that we can add to our list of options to protect the tarp from damage by potentially sharp bamboo edges at the central frame overlap points.
Most importantly, they have shown that motivated groups, with little previous shelter building experience, can rapidly acquire and apply the skills needed to build the RSK shelters. By working together this was very much a "hands on " team effort. Well done everyone, and special thanks to Samir Nepal, Charter President Kathmandu Height Rotary for leading this training.
I am now looking forward to taking the next RSK training steps with the team.
Shaun Halbert
RSK Shelter (London)
