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Background sound = "Namaste" (Hindu greeting, translates as "I worship the God within you") by some children in Nepal. (Rec. by Steve Barber) |
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HIMALAYAN DINING ROOM NEARLY COMPLETE
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Great Compassion monastic schools dining room June 2000 |
English Borough and primary school extend the hand of friendship
Broxtowe, near Nottingham are raising the money to build a dining room for The Great Compassion Monastic School, Lo Manthang in the tiny Kingdom of Mustang, Nepal. This follows a visit to the Himalaya by Steve Barber. (click here for illustrated account) and a return visit by their headmaster Januki Parajuli. As a result Round Hill School, Beeston now have a twinning arrangement with the Himalayan School.
Joint Fundraising effort
To help both schools and to strengthen our links a joint fundraising effort was held on 10 June 2000. Both sets of children jointly designed a certificate for all those who took part. A sponsored walk was held in Beeston. 162 walkers set off from Beeston Square and walked to Bramcote, Trowell, Ilkeston, Sandiacre and Stapleford. A total of £1635.13 was raised which has been divided equally between the schools. Prayer flags as blessed by Lama Ngawang Kunga Bista flew over Beeston whilst some Nottingham lace bearing a peace dove flew over Lo Manthang. The money sent to Lo Manthang pays for the roof.
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The certificate issued click for details |
The Great Compassion Monastic school is 200 miles from the nearest road, 100 miles from the nearest telephone and is in a kingdom which does not even have a wheelbarrow. In winter 60% of the population migrate to warmer climes and the few that remain survive on a few stored vegetables and melt snow on fires of Yak dung. News from Mustang takes time to reach even Kathmandu.
(click here to read the latest news)
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During the winter of 1998/9 the headmaster Mr Januki Parajuli extended his walk and arrived in Beeston Nottingham U.K. This was his first trip outside Nepal and the first time he had seen a railway train. He brought stories and photographs of a community very different to ours.
The school committee front l to r Juddha Gurung, Khenpo Tashi Tenzin and Prince Jigme Sp Bista
click here for more pictures of the Kingdom )
Januki told of a proud Kingdom which was once relatively prosporous, trading with Tibet, mainly in salt from the Indian Plateau. However, once China occupied Tibet this trade ceased and the population moved into poverty. During the 1950's the C.I.A. organised raids from Mustang into Tibet, the result was for the Chinese to force the borders to be closed and all Westerners to be banned from Mustang. Nearly 40 years of total isolation followed, the frontier to Nepal only being opened to a limited number of Westerners since 1991. A lot of the population does not return in the spring and the culture is being lost. The school is one project which is trying to reverse this trend. The school is expanding but one thing it lacks are any dining facilities. The food has to be cooked on open fires outside in arid desert conditions. This is also very wasteful in precious firewood.
click here for appeal progress
Many individuals and groups, as well as Round Hill school, have helped raise money for this cause. In 1999 Toni Shepherd, Steve Barber and Richard Hepple attempted to climb all 15 mountains in Wales within 24 hours, collecting sponsorship. However their attempts were hampered by 60 m.p.h. winds, bad visibility and driving rain. Twelve were climbed and £1000.00 raised.(
click here for account)Commercial sponsorship is now sought and of course any donations are very welcome. Please e-mail me for any further information and especially to pledge money!
Third School to open
The first monastic school in the kingdom was opened in 1994. It was then decided that a lay school offering education to all irrespective of gender or religion should open. This opened in 2000 and has been immensely successful with 28 girls & 33 boys in attendance. However, Mustang is a large area with poor communication and so it is proposed to open a boarding school. Sponsorship is sought. Please click for details.
This site
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Updated |
Click to view |
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03/11/99 |
An illustrated account of my visit to Nepal With Sound |
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01/09/99 |
Photographs of the Kingdom of Mustang With sound |
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03/12/99 |
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30/08/00 |
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06/09/99 |
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30/08/00 |
Appeal Progress (includes photos of building work) |
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30/08/00 |
most recent photos (includes the school) |
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13/02/00 |
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10/10/99 |
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22/11/00 |
Steve Barber
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since 7 October 1999