L-R: Ravin Khadka, Susmita Rai and Dolma.
Sponsors In 27 Countries Help SMD
We started the year with 70 boarders without sponsors. Now all but a handful of SMDers are sponsored. Remarkable, given the challenges the world is facing. Last month, I noted that it is more difficult to get sponsors for boys (especially older boys). Bingo! Friends in Canada sponsored Ravin Kadkha, pictured above on the left, with Dolma Lama and Susmita Rai. The same couple who sponsor Ravin and Dolma have offered to be host parents for Susmita, who starts a scholarship in Canada in January.
Speaking Of Host Parents
Over the years, SMDers have been hosted by families in Switzerland, Canada, Portugal, and the US. It is an act of extraordinary generosity to take in an unknown student from a completely different culture and to care for and guide that student as you would one of your own.
Hritay Dolma (one of our seniors) with a young monk.
Global Dental Relief
We were thrilled to have Global Dental Relief back in Nepal. We have worked together for 20 years, providing dental care for those who cannot afford it. They did two camps at SMD, with SMDers working chairside, supervising fluoride painting, teaching oral health, and translating.
You may enjoy this drama, a little gem about children in Mustang -Four teenagers leave their mountain village in Nepal to enter a band contest.
Students taking their Mid-Year Exams.
Half-Yearly Exams at Thrangu Rinpoche’s School are Done
We successfully conducted The Mid Year Exams. The exams Finished on The Last Day of November; Results will be announced on December 5th.
1: Khenpo Dawa giving speech. 2: Our friends donating cheque to SMD. 3: Gathering at SMD. 3: Group photo with our friends.
We Had a Wonderful Visit With our Friends From Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
We had a wonderful visit with Knenpo Tengye’s and Knenpo Dawa’s students. We are deeply grateful for their loyal support and love towards SMD family. They came with big cheques.
If You Are Coming To Nepal, Please Bring A Book or Two (But Don’t Send) – We Can’t Afford The TAX
If you’d like to see what books the kids want, drop us a line at himalayanchildren@gmail.com
Click to See our Artworks!
Dengue Fever – Global Warming
All 77 districts suffered in the dengue outbreak. 52,000 cases were diagnosed. The experts tell us this is a result of global warming and warn that next year, if there is no mitigation, it will be much worse, and fatalities will rise as second infections can be life-threatening.
You can help next year: if you are coming to Nepal, please bring a couple of bottles of child safe mosquito repellant.
SMD After School Artist presents – SMD Artworks
Showcasing The Artworks of students of Shree Mangal Dvip Boarding (SMD) School. See the arts of SMDers here: SMD Artworks
In Case You Missed It…
Tsering Paljor Singing Traditional Song during the program.
Tihar Celebrations: Tihar, the festival of lights is not a Buddhist festival, but it is a joyful post-harvest holiday, celebrated with song and dance. Groups of singers and dancers perform “Deusi Bhailo” and their audiences make offerings.
This year, our Principal Acharya Lama Karma Sangbo arranged for our Class 8s to host and deusi bhailo at a local party palace. Guests (including Dr. Ghana Gurung (WWF), Dr. Migma Sherpa (Hilary Foundation) and Jhabindra Subedi (Principal of Shechen Monastery School. ex VP of SMD) were honoured speakers.
A capacity audience enjoyed song and dance from the Himalayas/ Tsering Paljor wowed us with his emceeing skills. The Class 8 kids raised more than a thousand dollars US, which is going be used to celebrate our teachers on Teachers’ Day.
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.