After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India followed by 80,000 Tibetan people who sought asylum in India, Bhutan & Nepal. For those who were able to reach Kathmandu, the Nepalese government allotted areas of land to allow for the settlement & rehabilitation of the Tibetan refugees. As part of our GSH, we had the opportunity to spend time with a number of these refugees, learn about their beliefs and way of life and offer support and encouragement (albeit limited by our short stay and language barrier.)
The Tibetans operate as a cultural microcosm situated in the middle of Nepal. As skilled weavers, many of the adults work diligently to produce fine carpets and woven items (visit http://www.jhcnepal.com/ for more information.) Sales of these beautiful works of art help support social services for their local community- from a nursery for the newborn children of the workers; a small dispensary to treat minor illnesses; a neighborhood primary school; and an old folks home for the aged community members without family members to provide their care.
Let me tell you a bit about the Atisha Primary School.
We met with the school’s principal Tsering Dhondup on Sunday when we had the chance to tour the school and learn more about their needs. He indicated they needed numerous basic school supplies for each child- tuition is free for the children and is supported through profits from the Handicraft center. But money is tight and the center is also in need of sporting equipment and items such as puzzles.
Tsering himself is a refugee having left Tibet as a child when he and his father migrated to India. A chance visit to his uncle living in this Nepal settlement when he completed his education degree, led to his role at the primary school where he oversees 80 students from Kindergarten through Grade Five. Education is important in the Tibetan culture. Days are long for his tiny charges- beginning with prayers at 8:00am and ending at 4:00pm. Students learn English, Nepalese and Tibetan. Parents come by at lunchtime from their jobs at the weaving center to pick up the children to take them home to enjoy lunch together as a family.
We spent time on Monday at a local book store shopping for the needed school items. Besides the requisite school supplies, Tsering had requested items to allow the children to enjoy games of badminton and football (soccer). The real fun came on Tuesday when we came back to the school to deliver the items to the school.
We had the chance to enjoy tea and a long chat with the school administrators who answered our many questions ranging from politics, history, to the Dalai Lama and their current plight.
When asked why they all left to settle in Nepal, said Chimey, a lovely lady working in the school office, “It is important to us to preserve our culture and to pass it on to our children. Here, we can do that.”
The highlight of the day was when Tsering took us from class to class to personally deliver the materials to each child. These tiny, beautiful and extremely polite children each thanked us in English for their gifts and rewarded us with countless waves and smiles.
Interested in providing support? A gift of $1USD per day can send a child to school for a year. You can contact the school directly at atisha@wlink.com.np or I can provide additional information.
The Tibetans operate as a cultural microcosm situated in the middle of Nepal. As skilled weavers, many of the adults work diligently to produce fine carpets and woven items (visit http://www.jhcnepal.com/ for more information.) Sales of these beautiful works of art help support social services for their local community- from a nursery for the newborn children of the workers; a small dispensary to treat minor illnesses; a neighborhood primary school; and an old folks home for the aged community members without family members to provide their care.
Let me tell you a bit about the Atisha Primary School.
We met with the school’s principal Tsering Dhondup on Sunday when we had the chance to tour the school and learn more about their needs. He indicated they needed numerous basic school supplies for each child- tuition is free for the children and is supported through profits from the Handicraft center. But money is tight and the center is also in need of sporting equipment and items such as puzzles.
Tsering himself is a refugee having left Tibet as a child when he and his father migrated to India. A chance visit to his uncle living in this Nepal settlement when he completed his education degree, led to his role at the primary school where he oversees 80 students from Kindergarten through Grade Five. Education is important in the Tibetan culture. Days are long for his tiny charges- beginning with prayers at 8:00am and ending at 4:00pm. Students learn English, Nepalese and Tibetan. Parents come by at lunchtime from their jobs at the weaving center to pick up the children to take them home to enjoy lunch together as a family.
We spent time on Monday at a local book store shopping for the needed school items. Besides the requisite school supplies, Tsering had requested items to allow the children to enjoy games of badminton and football (soccer). The real fun came on Tuesday when we came back to the school to deliver the items to the school.
We had the chance to enjoy tea and a long chat with the school administrators who answered our many questions ranging from politics, history, to the Dalai Lama and their current plight.
When asked why they all left to settle in Nepal, said Chimey, a lovely lady working in the school office, “It is important to us to preserve our culture and to pass it on to our children. Here, we can do that.”
The highlight of the day was when Tsering took us from class to class to personally deliver the materials to each child. These tiny, beautiful and extremely polite children each thanked us in English for their gifts and rewarded us with countless waves and smiles.
Interested in providing support? A gift of $1USD per day can send a child to school for a year. You can contact the school directly at atisha@wlink.com.np or I can provide additional information.
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