We Started the Year with 70 unsponsored Children, Now more than half have been sponsored
Lhakpa Dhundup
Six-year-old Lhakpa Dhundup Lama is one who still needs a sponsor. He’s from a village called Ripchet in the Tsum Valley, Gorkha District, on the shoulders of Mt. Manaslu. Also please visit our website to know which of our Kids Needs Sponsor. https://himalayanchildren.org/kids-needing-sponsors/
Enjoying the Special Lunch
SMDers for SMD School
Tsewang Dhundup and Tsewang Diki Came Home from University, Trekked to Nar and Offered a Special lunch at SMD. Narpas in the US who also contributed were Dolma Tsering (aka “Peggy”), Dorje Thinley, and Nyima Ongze.
Tenzin Norbu (L) and Dorje Sherpa (R)
The Inter Community Zurich has offered two Scholarship every Year
One scholarship is in Inter Communicty School Zurich, and one is at Ullens School, here in Kathmandu. Students get a chance to finish grade 11 and 12 in the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme in both schools. This year, Tenzin Norbu Lama joined Dorje Sherpa at Ullens.
From L -R: Sonam Dorje, Kunlek Tenzin and Dawa Tenzin.
Three More University Graduates
Three SMDers finished bachelor’s degrees this summer: Sonam Dorje Lama BSc (Biology and Chemistry) at University of Oregon, Dawa Tenzin Lama BIT at Jain School of Computer Science, Bangalore and Kunlek Tenzing at Bennington College BA (Math and Economics)
Left: Childhood photo of Ethan in 2017. Right: 5K Swim Route
Ethan Lau’s 5k Open Water Swim Raises Money for SMD School
Ethan started fundraising for us with his paintings, when he was a little kid. On the morning of August 24th, with a typhoon signal T1 in Hong Kong, Ethan finished the swim in 1 hour 25 minutes and 20 seconds. Later that day, Hong Kong battened down the hatches before the gale force winds hit. Ethan’s father David was instrumental in marshalling friends and colleagues to pledge donations – and he matched!
Dharma Classes at SMD
Lopen Tenzin giving Dharma Class to Students.
Lopen Tenzin Rinchen is teaching Classes 4 up, every Tuesday, after tea time. The text is “Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva” – a “lojong” (mind training) teaching that helps to create mindfulness – constantly being present and aware, thus able to help others and refrain from harm. The Buddha taught, “Tame your mind!”
SMD Feral Cat Project
New Kittens at SMD’s Neighborhood.
SMDers have been rescuing feral cats for several years. There are projects in the valley to help dogs, but not much help is extended to our feline friends because there is still superstition about cats, so they are often persecuted. The Buddha taught, “Help if you can help.”
These three little sisters, Sonam (merit), Tsering (long life) and Khandro (embodiment of female wisdom) will be spayed and will get their rabies shots tomorrow. We give Tibetan names, because each name as a Buddhist meaning, and it is taught, with the repetitions through the animal’s lifetime, a seed is planted for future lives.
In Case You Missed It…
Inter-House Spelling Contest – Junior Section.
Inter-House Spelling and Quiz contest: This month we successfully conducted Inter-House Spelling and Quiz competition. Both Junior and Senior section did well and were very much delighted to be part of the contest. For the next months other contest like basketball, soccer, table tennis etc. will be conducted.
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Child Protection – We ask your cooperation: SMDers may not have contact with adults on the via digital media. 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.
No outgoing mail: The Nepal Postal System cannot handle outgoing mail. Incoming mail is ok. Please remember to use children’s admission numbers in all correspondence — it really helps us.