How we Became Involved
In October 2005 a group from the UK making a cultural tour of North East India visited the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. As well as visiting monasteries, nunneries, remote villages and historic sites, the group spent some time with the teachers and children of the Manjushree Vidyapith School and Orphanage (MVSO). Members of the group were all deeply moved and inspired by the incredible work being achieved with such scant resources. It was felt that we could and should contribute in some way. The decision was made to found "Friends of Manjushree Vidyapith School and Orphanage" (FMVSO) as a charity dedicated to the support of the orphanage.
All members of the group pledged to either contribute funds themselves or encourage sponsorship and donations from the public. Di Gallagher agreed to co-ordinate and established e-mail contact with Lama Thupten Phuntsok, the founder and principal of the school. Four members of the group agreed to act as the Trustees of FMVSO.
In March 2006 FMVSO was registered with the Charity Commission.
In April 2006 Di travelled to Tawang with her son, Rory. They stayed at Manjushree for three weeks, working with the children and gathering information for fund-raising purposes. They were able to make a full examination of the finances and structure of the organisation and discussed plans for the use of funds raised by FMVSO.
June 2006 saw the first formal meeting of the Trustees of the new charity, one result of which was agreement of priorities for support of MVSO and the launch of a fund-raising campaign. The Trustees have continued to hold meetings every six months.
In October 2007 Di Gallagher and Rory returned to Manjushree. Along with an old friend Tim, a retired GP, they spent 3 weeks living at the orphanage and helping with teaching, arts and crafts, and sport. They were joined for a few days by 4 teachers from Scotland who sponsor some of the children.
They were further convinced of the extraordinary achievement of Lama Thupten Phuntsok in his work to improve the lives of the poor children of the Tawang region.
A full update of developments and progress at Manjushree is given in the new page: “News from Manjushree”
