At our product design company, we’re used to working with extraordinary ideas on a regular basis. But ideas must be put to the test, that’s why we make prototypes and models; otherwise they will never be more than ideas. Model making and prototyping gives us the ability to test and examine ideas and developments throughout a project. This is the best way to guard against unnecessary risks and expensive mistakes. So we see model making and prototyping as absolutely key to the success of a product design – giving you the opportunity to see a product come to life in physical form in the most cost effective manner. Our colleague, James Samwell, is usually to be found at the heart of this prototyping process; however, right now, he’s undertaking a task which is even more remarkable.

On 1st June 2017, he flew out to Nepal to spend two months working on the rebuilding of a school damaged by the devastating earthquakes in 2015.

It was on April 25th, that a 7.8 earthquake hit the country near the capital city of Kathmandu, the worst of its kind in more than 80 years. More than 9,000 people were killed, a further 23,000 were injured and the mass destruction to infrastructure and homes was vast. Aftershocks continued to shake the country in the weeks that followed causing further fear for those who left homeless and vulnerable by the initial earthquake. Basic necessities of livelihood continue to be at risk, including access to food, clean water and sanitation. The government of Nepal declared a state of emergency and asked for international agencies to lend support.

Due to the disaster, and the number of schools destroyed or rendered dangerous, thousands of Nepalese children are currently missing a significant part of their education. James will be helping to rebuild Thulo Sindhupalchowk School, in the Sindhupalchowk district. Camped at a base nearby, he’ll spend six days a week working on the construction site.

This is all part of a project called ‘All Hands’. Although James funded his own travel, visas and vaccines, the charity is in need of donations to cover the material and equipment costs of the build, as well as to employ local people involved in the construction effort.

In fact, James took some tools with him as they are hard to come by on the ground in Nepal. But as you can you imagine, much more is required so all donations will go directly to the charity.