What are our purposes?
We want to improve the lives of the Tibetan orphans and the very poor children as well as the unfortunate elders in this rural region of Eastern Tibet around Baiyu/Garzi, at the northwest of Sichuan. We want to provide education opportunities for the children and at the same time provide shelters to them and the elderly. We strongly believe education enables the children to flourish to their full potential.
What roles does the elderly play?
We believe the emotional support from parental figures is very important for a healthy mental development of the orphans. The elderly become the grandparents as well as mentors to the orphans. The children in turn will help to take care of the elders and be part of a social family.
How was it started?
The school project idea was originated from our spiritual advisor, Sonam L. Sherpa Rinpoche. Rinpoche was born in Tibet. He was recognized as the incarnation of Ahzom Losel Rinpoche by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, H.H Jamga Rinpoche and His Holiness Dordrubchan Rinpoche. Sonam Rinpoche also bestowed the title of Khenpo (equivalent to PhD in Buddhism philosophy) has been actively giving dharma teachings in Asia and last year started teaching in USA.
Due to the normadic lifestyle of these rural Tibetan people, there is little or no support for orphans let alone getting education. The local community has strong interest in supporting the project and has donated a piece of land to the school. The school aims to provide basic education for the children to learn to read and write Tibetan and Chinese languages, and mathematics.
What made Vajrayana Dharma Foundation special and standout from other organizations?
Our mission is to help the unfortunate children and elders of the rural areas of Baiyu/Garzi region. In addtion, to the West, we invite our spiritual advisor to visit the USA each year. During his visit, Sonam Rinpoche, a native monk born in Tibet, gives blessings, empowerment, public teachings and dharma teachings. Through these teachings, we strive to improve the quality of our lives, to cultivate compassion, inner peace and happiness. You are welcome to join us during these teachings. You do not have to be a Buddhist; anyone is welcome.
Project progress
The land was donated from local village and this showed strong support from local community. The site is located on a gentle mountain slope. There are no trees at this elevation and making site clearing so much easier. The construction has started in May 2008.
Milestone achieved:
Summer 2006 School site identified. Land donated from local village.
Winter 2008 Wood arrived on site. Wood will be used widely for window, floor and furnishing.
Spring 2008 Mud foundation work started. Mud is commonly used for foundation and walls because trees
are only growing in certain parts of Tibet due to the high elevation.Please check back often as we will update the progress and photos as we received them. We hope the construction progress as scheduled and will have the children moving in end of 2008. It gets much colder earlier because of the high elevation, generally from October onward it gets quite cold. The orphans are now either staying with relatives or work for the rich families taking care of their herds.
Fact Sheet
Mission: To provide a home and education opportunity for Tibetan unfortunate children and seniors in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China.
Location: Baiyu, located in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a remote village approximately 18 hours drive from Chengdu, China. The site is 12,000 to 13,000 ft above sea level.
Budget: $ 45,000 USD for single level building for phase 1, include classroom/bedroom, a kitchen , a library, a teacher room and bathroom facility. Exclude electricity and water supply.
Phase 2 of project includes a library, 2 recreation rooms, 3 more teacher rooms, more children bedrooms, offices and bathroom facilities.
