Elementary school program in Tibet

The construction of schools and the long-term support and education of children is one type of development aid appropriate to the numerous problems in the Himalayan regions. Although schooling in Tibet is compulsory from the age of six, many children are unable to attend school. Together with its Italian sister organisation Eco Himal Italia and Tibetan partners, Eco Himal has already built a number of elementary schools in the Porong region. The area, located at elevations around 4700 m, is extremely marginalized, suffering from soil dehydration and massive climatic changes (long winters with heavy snowfall, little precipitation during the rest of the year). Frequent periods of hunger affecting people as well as animals are quite common in this area.

 Each school project costs between 9,000 and 25,000 Euros, depending on the size. As in any Tibetan school project, the local villagers provided all the manual work while construction materials and furnishings were financed by sponsors and through donations.

Examples of the schools built with donations since 1992:

Chön Zom Elementary School
Pema Chöding Elementary School
Shurtso Elementary School
Sangsang Elementary School
Tsombuk Elementary School

School Projects and Village Development with Comunidad Humana

Starting in 2004, Eco Himal cooperates with a new partner on school projects: Comunidad Humana is a Spanish NGO engaged in humanitarian activities (schools, children’s homes, hospitals, rural development) in Tibet. It has an office in Lhasa and works only with Tibetans assisted by European volunteers (architects, engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc.).

Many schools in rural areas have boarding facilities which often lack the most basic equipment and are a health hazard for children in the cold winter months.

Eco Himal supports: Structural improvements to buildings Upgrading of furniture, bedding Supply with clean drinking water Construction of basic sanitary facilities Dietary improvements by vegetables grown in the schools’ own greenhouses Basic medical care and hygiene training

Eco Himal finances the material and furniture while the local families contribute their labour. Thus, the village communities are able to build and maintain schools which are the only guarantee that the children in remote areas have access to elementary education.

In 2004, Eco Himal provided assistance to three school projects in remote areas.

In 2005, 11 schools in the districts Damxung and Namling (north and west of Lhasa respectively) were supported, beneficiaries were approx. 1400 people.

In 2006, the school program was continued with construction of two boarding schools and two elementary schools.

As part of the school program the children receive basic medical care by (Western) doctors improving their health condition and raising the awareness for proper hygiene in the families. The close cooperation with the local authorities ensures that the schools become part of the government education system and  thus operate sustainably.

The great demand and the positive experiences have convinced us to continue the school project in Tibet for another three years. It will be expanded to include health care and integrated village development programs.

www.comunidadhumana.org

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