Drikung Kagyu Institute Drikung Kagyu Monastary, Jangchubling Dharma Projects Gargön Village Elementary School

Gargön Village Elementary School (Education and Opportunity for Tibetan Nomadic Children) Top

This project is initiated by His Eminence Garchen Triptrül Rinpoche

Gargön Village Elementary School

In a remote mountain valley of historical Tibet (Nangchen District of Qinghai Province, People's Republic of China), two new school buildings ring with the sounds of children's laughter and learning.  The Gargön Village Elementary School, established in February 2000, is now offering children of nomadic Tibetan families the opportunity to receive an elementary education.

The purpose of the school is twofold: to preserve the area's unique culture and history, while providing the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for the 21st century.

Built in traditional Tibetan style, the Gargön School consists of two one-room schoolhouses, with a cafeteria kitchen and a dormitory.  almost 100 normadic Tibetan children are now enrolled, served by two teachers (one Tibetan and one Chinese) for each schoolhouse.

During the eight-month school year, students receive lodging, three daily meals, educational materials and school uniforms at no cost to their impoverished families.  The children's families also receive educational stipends to encourage school attendance.

To minimize strain on the area's fragile natural resources, the school buildings will eventually be equipped with solar panels to provide light and a supplemental source of heating. The school will also be able to offer some basic medical care in the future.

Educational Goals

Instruction currently focuses on literacy in the children's native language, Tibetan, and on improving health standards through health and hygiene studies. Longer-term educational goals include fluency in the area's second language, Chinese, instruction in mathematics, geography and history, and the transition of qualified students into apprenticeship training or middle school.  Meeting these modest educational goals will go a long way towards enabling these young nomadic Tibetans to become economically self-sufficient and socially stable.

Supporting the Gargön School (The Endowment Campaign: $250,000)

Rural nomadic Tibetan children have less access to schooling than their urban compatriots.  Supporting the efforts of the students and teachers of the Gargön Village Elementary School can open doors of opportunity for many generations in rural Tibet.

The modest sum of $16,000 per year provides 100 children with food, clothing and school supplies.  It also covers the salaries of four teachers and school stipends for each of the children's families.

Funds are now being raised to establish a $250 000 endowment for the school so the children's education will continue in perpetuity.  We are also raising money for medical supplies for the school.  We invite your generous support for this endowment campaign.  Every penny of your gift will go directly to support the school, as our fundraising costs are being covered entirely through sponsorship.  All donations, large and small, generate merit for the giver and benefit for these Tibetan children and their families.

For further information: Garchen Institute PO Box 4318 Chino Valley, AZ 86323-4318  telephone: +1 (520) 777-8963 garchen@garchen.com http://www.garchen.com

Please send donation to Garchen Dharma Center, c/o Jacki Elder, Attn: School Fund, 5210 N. Nina Drive, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA.  Telephone: +1 (520) 292 6070.

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