2013
Gail visited Ladakh, to check on the children we already sponsor, and she met more families who have been recommended to us as having children who would benefit from sponsored education. She also visited the Puga school for Nomadic Children, from where she accompanied the Principal to buy two large industrial washing machines - there was publicity in the local press,
and on the television news:
We prefer to buy goods locally, to help the local economy, and for ease of maintenance.
(Gail is centre back, with white blessing shawl)
In October 2012
Gail, the 2 other Trustees and 2 friends went on a (self-funded) fact finding trip to Ladakh to see at first hand the work of the charity. Unfortunately, one of the group suffered a mild stroke and she was able to experience the kindness of the local people, and the medical facilities, both of which were incredible. Prior to that, we visited and met the principals at both Lamdon and Puga schools, where we were impressed by the children, and by the enthusiasm of both principals for education. We were privileged to meet some of the families of the children we sponsor, and their children's education is obviously important to them. Progression through school is not automatic in India as it is here, and the children are encouraged to work hard to pass the end of year exams and move up to the next year group. Click this link to view photos of our trip to Ladakh.
Newsletter
Scroll down the page to view videos of Gail's visits, of the Principal and the young nuns singing, followed by views of Ladakh and pictures of the people she met (see Gail swamped in prayer shawls!)
2012
During a brief personal visit in June 2012, Gail handed over a cheque to the Nunnery to cover the cost of a part time teacher. It is hoped this will take some of the pressure from the existing teacher.
Gail visited Ladakh for a week at the end of February 2012. She had a very difficult journey there, and a hectic stay, as you can see from her notes below.
Basically my days here were to see various families for schooling sponsorship - and there were many. The friend I stay with (Rinchen Dolkar) is now a social worker and works with all the councillors in Leh. So for this I now have some good contacts, which means that finding the families is easier, and it really is the most needy of families, because each village has a head and reports to the councillors in Leh.
We met with maybe ten families, a few from remote villages who came to me. One man from the nomadic area travelled by horseback to the nearest road then had a lift to Leh to meet us. It took him almost all day, and this was a good example of a worthy family. He is the Uncle of a little girl, Lamo, there is no father, just the mother and their life is very hard, because of the remote area, and having no jobs. Lamo will benefit from schooling and also hostel life, even though she will be away from her family, as she will learn social skills for life. For example her uncle brought her with just the clothes she was wearing, nothing else, so she will be clothed and clean once in school.
I met the Headmaster of the Nomadic School in Puga, Phunshok Angchuk, who showed me a different insight into the Nomadic lifestyle, which helped me understand the children from those areas.
The decision on worthiness of sponsorship was made easier by visiting the families in their homes. Most had just one room for sleeping, cooking, eating and also the play area for the children, but each household gave me a warm welcome, with Rinchen as my interpreter. I filmed each family, with their permission, and again it helps to show their way of life. I now know the relevant questions to ask, family history, owning of land, income if any, future plans for job, and then talk with the children if they are not too shy or too young.
I was able to see so much more this time, because of the trust from the people with me, and also because of contacts too. I have to say I was very touched by the families that I met, including the lady who was looking after two children alone as her husband had died from TB, she cried as it was only 18 months ago; the families who made a mammoth journey to meet with me.
I have details of 7 children to sponsor, three will be sponsored by individuals, and Himalayan Charity is taking on a further four. We have funds in place, and these will be backed up with further fund raising.
I have had to place the Nomadic girl immediately. With the help of the councillor’s letter she should be accepted into Druk Padma Karpo school as she cannot travel back to her remote village and back again and she is not in any school at the moment.
The others can be sorted for September. A couple will have to change schools because of the area and others are fine where they are, but parents cannot pay anymore as they have no job.
I also went to the Nunnery, where we are going to fund the employment of a teacher for a year. The existing teacher had returned to Himal Predesh as it was the school holiday; I left a message confirming that we will fund a teacher. It was good to see the young nuns again.
I also visited a sponsored family in Khaltse. I really like this family, they are so gentle. Ladol had started her new school in her village home and was very happy there. I asked her to write a letter to her sponsor but we realised she didn’t have the basics, like a pencil that wasn’t broken, a sharpener or a rubber, so I took her to the village shop and bought her some for school. The parents would never ask you for this.
The primary school in Huish Episcopi had organised a mufti day (thanks to headteacher Gill Islip) and the children had kindly donated £1 or pencils for the Nomadic Children. I took these over, together with clothing and other necessary items. They were to be handed over in the government office with the Executive councillor Gurmet Dorjay and the Principal Phunshok Angchuk. The local newspaper was present, and I was interviewed. Himalayan Children is now becoming well known in Leh.
I also visited the Principal of Lamdon School, Eshey Tondrup, we took tea and chatted and I gave him the letters for the children from their sponsors. It was not possible to see the children as school does not start until the beginning of March.
The aim of my visits is to keep meeting with various families and children and get to know even more about the life there and also the different villages, and through sponsoring the children in the families, build a relationship with them. I feel it is important to keep the families in touch with their sponsors, so that it is seen as much more than a cheque to pay for schooling.
In between, I was able to find time to play in the snow and slide on the ice like a child, with the local children.
Gail
March 2012
Gail took lots of video clips, which have been skilfully edited by Brook and Rebecca - many thanks to them. Click on the icon to the left of 'Vimeo' to view in full screen.
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Students at the Timosgang Nunnery school singing in English
A quick visit to Ladakh : October 16th - 23rd 2011
A new girl was enrolled in the new Lamdon School in Khaltse, which opened last year. I went to visit her family, and the villagers were really happy that this family has support. It was an emotional time here.
At Lamdon school, in Leh, I visited our 4 existing students who are into their second year of sponsorship. It is good to see them, smiling, and growing so tall. I took winter clothing to these four, as they are from remote areas of Ladakh. It was exam time, so they were working hard; we will receive an update of exam marks and letters from them in due course.
I visited the Timosgang Nunnery school, where I had helped with English teaching on previous visits. The teacher, Tsultim Zangno, teaches 17 nuns of mixed ages and abilities in Ladakhi, Tibetan, Bodi, Hindhi and English, and is finding it very hard. Himalayan Children will be fund raising to provide an additional teacher for one year; the nuns drew a picture for Christmas cards which will be sold to raise these funds.
I visited two new families who have personal sponsors through Himalayan Children - Tsering Dolkar from Likir and Tsering Angmo whose family are from Yurtling. I took tea and lunch with them, and they are very grateful to their sponsors.
I gave out clothes, gifts and letters which had been sent by sponsors, and received letters of thanks which I have given to the sponsors.
I went to Phyang village, where I support a village football team. Thanks to a very kind donation from Jeremy Evans, I was able to hand over 15 pairs of footall boots and socks, which allows the team to play in a league outside the village. It is always fun to see these young men playing as a team; all of them have lived in the village since birth, some study outside Ladakh, but always return to Phyang to reunite and play football.
Finally, I visited the families of the two children I personally sponsor. I visit every time I go, and they always seen to know I am in Leh, even before I arrive!
Through Himalayan Children 20 children in Ladakh have their education sponsored.
Gail
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In May 2011, Gail again visited Ladakh, seeing lots of friends and students - she is becoming a well known face in the school and the local villages!
She interviewed the Principal of the school and shot the video below.
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A recent edition of the BBC's The Human Planet showed the difficult and dangerous 6 day journey two of the children had to take to get to the school. Whilst the children featured were not sponsored by Himalayan Children, those who are have similarly arduous journeys to the school. The children in the film are boarding pupils at Lamdon School.
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Gail visited Ladakh in October 2010. She writes :
On this visit I was pleased to present a cheque for £1,700 to the Principal of Lamdon School to cover the school costs of the fund children we sponsor.
It was really great to finally meet with them. My first priority was to take them to the local market, to buy warm coats for the extreme winter ahead.
It was a whirlwind trip, visiting my original family in Khaltsi, as well as my friend's family. I also spent some days teaching basic English in a Nunnery School.
With my friend Rinchen Dolkar, and a group of women from the Congress Party, I was able to meet the families who were in the Flood Relief Camps. They lost their homes and family members in the cloudburst disaster that hit Leh in August. It was a moving time, seeing and meeting them.
Since arriving home, after the exams at Lamdon, we have been sent exam reports and letters from the children, as well as some pictures they have drawn.
We have had an amazing response to our fundraising - see the Fundraising page for details. Thank you to everyone for their support.
