this video is of a Truss-Bridge Competition (a basic structural engineering exercise) that I arranged for my orphanage visit, march 2007
MANJUSHREE ORPHANAGE BACKGROUND
In 1998, Lama Thupten Phuntsok founded Manjushree Vidyapith Orphanage and Free School to assist orphaned, destitute and disabled children living in Tawang, the land of the Monpa, tribal people of Buddhist faith.
As a young monk, Lama excelled in school and was identified by a sponsor as an able young man who would accomplish great things if given the opportunity to attend college. During his visits home to Tawang, he was reminded of the village people's struggle for survival, and after his studies were complete, decided to return to do what he could to help.
Lama taught in the Tawang public school for six years, and through his first-hand knowledge of the children's circumstances, which were often tales of misfortune, resolved to start an orphanage and free school to provide a better education than what was being offered by the Government schools.
With his savings, Lama purchased an 8.6 acre site with commanding views of the surrounding mountains. In the beginning, a one-story building with eight small rooms served as classroom space, offices, and sleeping quarters. The structure accommodated 17 orphans and 3 staff members. Slowly, through unremitting efforts to raise awareness, gain support and find funding for the orphanage, a campus comprised of a dining hall and kitchen, girls' and boys' dormitories and staff quarters was realized.
Today Manjushree serves 131 children in residence (11 are disabled), and 37 day students from nearby villages. Manjushree offers a modern education in accordance with Indian Government standards from nursery to class 5, and also teaches the children to read and write in the Tibetan language. Resident children above class 5 walk to nearby Government schools; each year, however, the best students are selected to attend the Army boarding school in Tezpur, 13 hours away. The devoted faculty of 10 educators and 7 support staff not only teach and impart values of love and compassion for all, they also live on-campus and care for the children around the clock.
Over three-quarters of the children are now sponsored through programs organized by small groups in the United States and the UK, and the Dalai Lama Trust partially funds the teacher's salaries. The Manjushree project has grown beyond expectations through the help of many friends, local government and especially the local Army Authorities, who provide dry food rations, often visit to share gifts with the children, and have donated a backup generator which enables electricity to continue during the frequent power outages.
In March 2007, Lama Thupten Phuntsok and New York City-based architectural designer John Ullman, co-founder of Architecture for Tibet, discussed in detail the plans for a new academic building with suitable teaching spaces and a library. This urgently needed building will replace a schoolhouse that is comprised of dark, stuffy unventilated rooms.
Despite Manjushree's inadequate facilities, the school is known to have the best students in the district and there is a long waiting list to admit both orphaned children and day students. Lama's plans are to add a grade level each year up to class 10, which will provide an improved free school to enable more people to achieve success and overcome poverty. Lama's expansion plans also include a vocational training center for young men who have never attended school, so they too can benefit from the fruit of Manjushree's noble endeavor and subsequently have happier lives.
The vision of Manjushree Orphanage is:
To provide a home and close-knit, loving family for orphans, physically disabled or destitute children of the Tawang district.
To provide a modern education and impart the values of compassion.
To inspire the children to act with a good heart, to become leaders in their communities and to help bring peace to the world.
This year, Lama Thupten Phunsok received the prestigious Padma Shri Award from the Government of India, honoring Manjushree's mission to better the lives of village children.
Please see architecturefortibet.org for information regarding our Academic Center for Manjushree. The new Center will enable the children to learn play and socialize in an optimal learning environment.
Thanks for viewing !! Best Wishes !!!
Loading...
1:28
Manjushree Orphanage Projectby ARCHITECTUREFORTIBET964 views
Link to this comment:
All Comments (0)