March18, 2021
Himalayan Children’s Fund News Dear Friends There are a few changes afoot now which we are happy to report alongside the usual activity of Losar celebrations, exams and graduations. Everyone is staying well and healthy in Nepal, India and Tibet, and we hope you are too Please enjoy the newsletter and it would be a big help if you would share it Thank you for your kind support ~ Debra Ann In Nepal, the elder nuns have received COVID-19 vaccinations now that eligibility is age 55 and older.
SM The phased plan for reopening SMD has begun! In trying to make SMD a ‘safe bubble’, all class 10 students returned to the campus on February 28th and continued online studies in isolation under the supervision of Nelha Sangmo, SMD’s medical of cer until cleared. The staff are taking all possible precautions. Teachers who come and go are temperature checked at the gate and masks and face shields are required. Last Sunday, grades 8 and 9 returned and are now assimilated. With about a 5 day gap in between, all the grades will be called back by group - 7,6 & 5, then 4,3 and 2 and then grade 1 and nursery. The Curriculum Development & Examination Controller Of ce in Nepal has extended the 2020/2021 school year, requiring schools to nish conducting nal exams and admissions by June 14th, 2021. The new academic year is now scheduled from June 15th, 2021 through April 13th 2022. SMD staff are hoping to give the students at least 2 full months of physical classes to enhance the online learning they have been doing all year. This will allow tutoring and exam preparation so that they can be promoted to the next level. Principal Wangchuk Tenzin says is it wonderful to hear young, happy voices once again! Hover for video below.
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
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LUMBINI MONASTERY During the harsh winter months, young monks from Nubri live and study at the monastery in Lumbini with the help of SMD grads who are giving a year of service. With the amount of laundry for 60 little monks and the dif culty of drying robes in the heavy ground fog, a washer and dryer would be a big help Amount needed: $1,200.00 USD To donate through HCF designate: Lumbini W &D
TARA ABBEY After a few years of planning and development, monastic (shedra) education can be recognized as ful lling requirements for entering the 2 year MA program in Buddhist Studies at Lumbini Buddhist University. 7 Tara Abbey nuns are currently enrolled and living and the monastery in Lumbini. 2 have begun their second year and 5 are rst year students. Though shedra education is usually considered as the equivalent of a PhD, the certi cation is not widely acknowledged around the world so the MA degree will allow the nuns to teach in other settings We are grateful to Orange County Vajra Vidya and other sponsors who are supporting the higher education of Tara Abbey nuns by providing support for the annual tuition, exam and library fees, welfare, workshops and registration fees for 2 years In other news, 5 days of Tsedrup puja were completed at the end of February, and in the beginning of March 9 nuns graduated from Thrangu Thoisam Dargyeling Shedra at Tara Abbey. The nuns were honored and Khenpo Chonyi invited his teacher, Khenpo Tashi to speak and offer advice. And the new academic year has already begun. Congratulations
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org
SCENES FROM TARA ABBEY, PULLAHARI, VAJRA VIDYA, AND BOUDHA DURING LOSAR AND MONLAM TEACHINGS Hover to see videos
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Himalayan Children’s Fund P. O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 USA 310.395.6616 himalayanchildrensfund.org