Help us equip and sustain the children's home

Water Harvesting Project at the Kripsaran Children’s Home, Darjeeling

Despite the heavy annual monsoon rain, water is often in short supply in Darjeeling over the dry winter months because water capture and distribution facilities are limited. It has been a great achievement to have been able to include a large new water harvesting tank into the final phase of the redevelopment of the Children’s Home. It hasn’t been an easy task. The site of the Home is steep and space for construction is limited. In addition, Darjeeling lies within an area of earthquake risk, both important factors in the design and construction processes.

The site’s steepness precludes the use of machinery for either demolition or construction works, all of which had to be done by hand. Site conditions were difficult with a mixture of loose unconsolidated soil and large boulders, and these had to be broken up manually. These waste materials, which needed to be removed from the site, and materials such as cement and bricks brought to the site, all had to be transported manually up or down a steep, stepped pathway.

The water itself tank is a significant feature, with 10" thick brick walls reinforced by thick steel. By building it into the slope its impact has been reduced and its flat concrete capping will form part of the play area available to the young people.  The water gathered in the tank will make a significant contribution to the availability of water for the young people for personal and clothes washing during those months of the year when little or no rain falls. Before this, additional water has had to be purchased which has been a major financial burden for the Home. The need for additional bought-in supplies will therefore reduce significantly over the year allowing funds to be diverted to other elements of care of the young people.

Darjeeling Children’s Trust would like to thank all our donors for their generosity in supporting this project, their generosity is greatly appreciated by Trustees and by the young people who live at the Kripasaran Children’s Home.