The Buy a Brick project aims to provide a sustainable future to some of Nepal's most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.  By buying just one brick you are bringing us closer to our initial goal of £50,000. This is the amount needed to secure a suitable plot of land in Northern India upon which we will then plan to build and furnish a purpose-built childrens’ home in Kalimpong.

Currently we rent a small house in Kalimpong where 10 orphaned children are cared for by Betty and Arjun Thapa, the house parents. Most of these children have suffered immense emotional and physical trauma in their early lives and, after nearly 2 years in our home, they are now feeling secure and settled. The children all go to school nearby.

The lease on this property is due to expire in October 2011 and it is unlikely we will be able to renew it. Houses for rent in the centre of Kalimpong are rare and expensive.

We have had experience of moving homes with the children in Kathmandu. On three occasions there we were forced to move home and it caused the children to become insecure and distressed. Their physical health suffered as did their school work. As well as that, the physical upheaval for our team on the ground was daunting.

It has always been our aim to secure a permanent home in Kalimpong and so a year ago we started looking for land to buy on which to build a customised childrens home with facilities for disabled children.

Land in central Kalimpong is expensive but we have found a plot in a very good area with roads and all facilities nearby. We have agreed to buy that parcel of land and paid a deposit. We hope to complete the purchase within the next few months and will then start the building of the home. The new home will accommodate 10 children to start with but will be built with an option to increase the rooms as and when required.