Swiss couple supports Rs 5.7m, reconstructs health post and school

GORKHA, April 6: A Swiss couple has commissioned the construction of a health post and a school block at Lapu village in Dharche Rural Municipality of north Gorkha.

Swiss nationals Dr Thierry Langenberger and Veronique Langenberger contributed a total Rs 5.7 million for the reconstruction of the health post block and the school block. The health post was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 million and the school block at a cost of Rs 2.2 million.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-constructed structures, Dr Thierry said the money they contributed came from the sale of pashmina shawls in fairs and festivals, and not because they were rich.

The health post and the school blocks at Lapu were damaged in the Gorkha Earthquake of April 25, 2015.

The couple had come to Lapu area on a trek five years back. That time they had provided support to one Mahili Gurung of Lapu village for her medical treatment by forming a Mahili Gurung Support Association in Switzerland.

The association has been providing assistance for the construction of water supply project and toilets in Lapu village.

Similarly, the Langenbergers have donated a laptop computer with internet facility to the health post and five laptop computers to the Kalaratri Secondary School.