STAFF from a Wirral housing association have returned from Nepal after helping on a special building project.

Joanna Harvey and Emma Quail had raised £6,600 to take part in the scheme, organised by the charity Homeless International.

Its Lumanti project involves building homes to help slum-dwellers and communities gain access to basic amenities such as water and sanitation.

Joanna and Emma, who work for Magenta Living, were in the first of two groups visiting Nepal and were tasked with digging the foundations for the new homes that have a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom.

Emma said: “We were welcomed to the Lumanti project with flowers, singing and dancing and by Government officials “The people were just lovely and so welcoming and grateful for the work we were doing.

“The work involved shovels and pickaxes – no mechanical help – and it was tough but Jo and I loved every minute.”

Following their work on the breeze block and render homes, the duo took part in a trek that saw them cross Phewa Lake to start the upward climb which took them through jungle and challenging mountain terrain. They visited temples, including that of the Living Goddess.

Emma Quail said: “One of our group found a leech on their leg and we were all advised to check for ticks after the jungle trek.

“We believed the experience of building homes would be rewarding and it was. We realised we were helping to change the lives of these hard working people who were so grateful.

“Jo and I are agreed – the people we met were the highlight of our visit.”

The two were supported in their fund-raising efforts by colleagues including members of the Senior Leadership Team who were sponsored to climb the stairs in all eight of the organisation’s high rise blocks - the same distance as climbing the three highest peaks in the Lake District.