Support Program Objectives
In April-May 2006 Di Gallagher spent three weeks living and working at the orphanage. Di gathered detailed information on needs for support over the next couple of years.
Di returned to Manjushree in October 2007.
We are now seeking to support Manjushree with funds for the following priorities:
1. General
Regular support for the children's day to day needs at £18 per month ($30) (a dollar a day provides for the needs of one child)
2. Education
There are now two Manjushree students at University in Delhi. Mani will be completing his second year in spring 2008 and Tsultim is in her first year.
In the next 4 years, 12 more children will be completing their senior education and looking to their futures. FMVSO aims to send at least £2000 ($3,600) a year to specifically fund higher education, whether academic or vocational. The possibility of bursaries is also being considered.
3. Building
FMVSO funding has enabled the completion of the hostel building. The first floor boys’ dormitory is now in occupation. All the children now have indoor bathroom facilities. A solar water heating system has been donated by a US Buddhist charity. A further storey has been added providing four rooms for staff accommodation
Classroom accommodation is badly needed. Some classes are still held outside or on the dormitory floor. The existing classrooms are cold, dark and overcrowded. £12,500 ($23,000) has been donated by an Indian supporter specifically for the building of a new education block. Once underway, FMVSO will be allocating funds to this project.
FMVSO will also be supporting future building projects including:
- Separate hostel accommodation for the boys.
- A guest house. This would provide opportunities for vocational training in hospitality, tourism, trekking etc. as well as being a good source of revenue for the orphanage. Vistitors to Manjushree are valuable – the children benefit from meeting the outside world; Linked to this, a meditation centre and prayer hall are being considered. This would cater for the many pilgrims who visit Tawang Monastery at all times of the year.
- An Infirmary / Clinic with basic medical care as well as accommodation for sick children. A US charity is currently researching medical facilities at the orphanage and in the Tawang region. If required FMVSO will raise funds to support their efforts.
£15,000 was transferred to Manjushree in our first year of operation. It is hoped we will exceed that figure in our second financial year.
Contributing through a charity such as FMVSO has tax advantages for donors living in the UK (see Inland Revenue website). It also enables a more strategic approach to longterm support of the orphanage and for this reason we have established links with supporters of the orphanage who live in the USA and New Zealand with whom we are sharing ideas and information.
