Dearest Friends,
We have some exciting news to share with you.
As you know we are always working to improve the quality of conditions
for our young monks here at the monastery, who come from remote
villages throughtout Nepal, and from conditions of extreem poverty,
poor health, and no opportunity for education. Last year we have made
many environmental changes and now we are focusing on their education.
Some of you may remember, it was three years ago in May that we
started our Enhancing Educational Fundraiser and through your kindness
many school supplies, backpacks, and text books were purchased. Last
year we decided to follow another dream. We requested to become a
Government Registered School and were approved for that year. That
meant improving their curriculum to include secular classes that met
the standards of government schools, as well as their Tibetan and
monastic studies. This will give them certifications as they advance
grades and when they compete class 10 they will take same exam as
other schools and receive diploma. One of the big problems in
monasteries has always been that if a monk decides to leave, or has to
leave for their family, regardless of the education they received it
is not accepted by the government or employees, so they have no chance
to go university or apply for good jobs. And from our side a great
benefit is this will help us to develop monks that will have the
abilities to become future teachers and administrators of the
monastery, to interact comfortably with the public and relate to the
world in general, thereby supporting their abilities to share and
flourish the precious dharma.
Our first year has been very sucessful and now for us to continue to
achieve this goal we need to have six full time teachers that will
teach Tibetan, Nepali, English, Math, Science and Social Studies and
to purchase qualified text books.. After this year's exam results we
have divided the students into 6 levels, Nursery, KG (kindergarten)
and classes 1-4. (Each level will have 6 "school" classes
per day in addition to monastery classes). We are humbly requesting
your help in sponsoring this endeavor. It will cost us approximately
150,000 npr (approximately 10,500 usd) for the year, which covers 6
teacher's salaries, and all the books and supplies for all classes in
each of the 6 grades. An average teacher's salary is 15,000 npr ($215)
per month or 180,000 npr ($2,560) per year. Only by being able to hire
qualified teachers can this goal be successful. Any help towards this
will be greatly appreciated and personally connect you to the
development of these young monks who are the future of the
continuation of this monastery and our precious lineage. You will have
the option of one time or recurring payment if you would like to be a
monthly sponsor of this program. Perhaps you could get together with
friends and/or family to sponsor one teachers salary for the year, or
month…hopefully many hands can make light work. 
As
always, we are so fortunate and grateful for your kindnesses and
generosity to us. May the merits of your virtuous thoughts and actions
continue to ripen in this and all of your future lives.
