January 26, 2025
Himalayan Children’s Fund News
Dear Friends,
Your messages, thoughts and prayers for those of us in the Los Angeles area have been greatly appreciated. All of our HCF sponsors and donors as well as Thrangu Rinpoche’s students living within the county are safe ~ no lives lost, however, a few sadly have lost their homes. The Thrangu Monasteries in Nepal and India have been doing prayers for Los Angeles as well as the victims of the recent earthquake in Shigatse, Tibet. The widespread care and concern lifts our hearts. Thank you.
SMD students and many Kagyu monastics also joined in prayer and made lamp offerings at the Boudha stupa. Hover for video.
As we forge ahead into the new year let’s recall some of what we accomplished together in 2024: Continued sponsorship of 336 nuns, monks and lay students; kitchen/dining facilities, ac units and more for the shedra nuns in Lumbini; long overdue repair and painting for SMDBS dorms and offices; an extra $42,744.97 granted to SMD by our match campaign, and nearly $100,000.00 granted to Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery in Namo Buddha for repairing the extensive storm damage. Thank you for your kind and compassionate support and involvement. May this new year bring great blessings for all.
~ Debra Ann
TARA ABBEY
Last fall, before the winter set in, a ‘coming out’ ceremony was held at Sher Gompa for the nuns who have been in retreat since 2021. Lama Ajo and Lama Yonten officiated and the nuns were honored by family members and other nuns who were able to make the trek. The nuns then reentered retreat for a few more months for the practice of Mahakala and will return to Tara Abbey
SHREE MANGAL DVIP SCHOOL
SMD has been in need of a vehicle with enough seating to transport children when needed, good cargo space, and small enough to drive through narrow streets on market runs. This brand new Suzuki Eeco van (provided by HCF donors) meets the need and has made the SMD food
Thanks to the SMD match, painting of the school has begun and coats and sweaters have arrived!
New Exercise Protocol for SMD
Morning assembly at SMD now includes some drills, calisthenics, and a ‘march past’ in addition to prayers and presentations. The students have been learning the sequence of exercises from the music teacher who has also created a new tune for the band to keep everyone in sync. The first video shows the initial training, others include the band. Hover for videos.
