They’re All Back!
Everyone is back at school and we are running normally again, though we are quarantined. Here, our new little kids playing on the colourful play station sponsored by our US-based foundation, Himalayan Children’s Fund.
SMD graduates of the year 2020-21
24th Batch Graduated in February
A joy-filled graduation was held – everyone so glad to be back together again! Thirty-eight SMDers finished Class 10 and won their SEE certificates. The SEE exams are known as the “Iron Gate”. Our first batch of graduates was back in 1989, and there were only four.
Munu Rana, Academic Head
Thanks To Our Academic Head, We Were Able To Keep Kids In Class
From the start of the pandemic, only 13 SMDers lost out on instruction. Across Nepal, a million children lost out. Our teachers adapted to online instruction – imagine how difficult that is. Our Academic Head Munu made a difficult transition possible, marshalling and mentoring teachers, supporting kids’ learning any way she could. Even when school was closed, Munu was often here to see that SMDers had what needed to keep learning.
Help Us Widen Our Impact On Social Media
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Our founder, Very Venrable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche with school kids. (photo – 2018)
Shoutout to Thrangu Rinpoche’s Foundations
Rinpoche has foundations in several countries, dedicated to supporting his projects and run by volunteers.
US – Himalayan Children’s Fund
Canada – Namo Buddha Foundation
HK – Thrangu Vajra Vidya Buddhist Centre (Chinese + English language)
EU – Pende e.V.
SMD kids in cultural dress.
Losar – The Year of the Water Tiger
Losar (Tibetan New Year – 2149) is coming. The celebration comes in three parts: first is to let go of the old year and all its negative aspects; for days beforehand, the nuns and monks do Mahakala prayers, and the day before, everything inside and out (gompas, homes, the school) is thoroughly cleaned. The second part, special foods are prepared and on the third day, Losar, the day is started with prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings and everyone visit their tsawe lama (root guru) for blessings.
Read more here: https://tibet.net/a-brief-introduction-to-losar-tibetan-new-year/
In Case You Missed It…
Video: Our kids taking yearly class-wise photo session – Watch Video
Child Protection – We ask your cooperation: SMDers may not have contact with adults on the net. SMDers may not ask sponsors for anything. This also affords protection for sponsors from desperately poor family members who may see you as a meal ticket and may coerce the child into demanding things.