Page 1 Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie 1st Quarter 2015 THF News

Dear friends, Tashi Delek and many warm greetings from Tibetan Homes Foundation! It is my privilege to report you the Tri Months (January-March 2015) THF news. With your support the year 2014 has been a special year where we were able to give our children a holistic education with academic brilliance. The first quarter of 2015 was no less and we bring you here some highlights.

No Snow Fall: Since January 2015 final day the children were taken out weather in Mussoorie has been pretty for a shopping with their limited dry. We were hopeful with some snow pocket money to different places. Dur- fall instead we received some small por- ing the three days special food was tion of hail. Over all weathers condition served to children as a part of the pic- in the past three months been excellent. nic and also pocket money of Rs. 100/- per day was granted. A total of Winter Picnic 2015 – A three night stay about 500 children along with the at Rajpur was organized from 12th to 24th home parents were part of the winter January 2015 as part of winter picnic. Chil- overnight picnic. dren were divided in three batches of 110- 120 hosted by the branch School in Ra- Winter Fun Classes- This year over jpur. 1st Batch of the children left from 300 children participated in the win- Mussoorie to Rajpur on 12th January and ter activities. The classes comprising had interaction with THF children at Ra- of Drawing and Painting Group, jpur. The next day after breakfast the chil- Book Binding, Tibetan Musical in- dren visited to Drikung Kague and struments, Tibetan Handwriting. Songtsen Library and Forest Research Cooking Class and etc were organ- Institute of Dheradun. They had packed ized with different resource persons. lunch at Drikung Monsatery. On the sec- We are happy to inform you that the ond day the Children had wonderful pil- resource persons have been our own grimage visit at Nyingmapa moastery in staff members who have taken the Clementown where they also got to see overall burden of the different the 101 ft tall Buddha Statue and the classes. The children have taken keen Great Stupa dedicated to World Peace interest in the classes and enjoyed which is 185 ft tall. The pilgrimage was learning new skills. The winter holi- completed at Rajpur after visiting the Sa- days of the children were spent in a kya Monastery. To have a thrilling experi- constructive and new learning experi- ence in the cinema hall,the children en- ence. joyed the popular Hindi Movie called P.K. with some Pepsi and popcorn. On the Photos of Winter classes

Warm winter clothes: The children who remain back in the foundation during Winter Break are mostly destitute. The need of the children in terms of clothes at the homes were one of the utmost. This year the home parents were provided with the pocket money for shopping and it was a success as children went along and bought clothes of their choice and needs. All children and parents were asked to bring their purchased items for a group photo. The warm winter clothing was also meant to be a gift for the Losar – Tibetan New Year for the children at the homes.

Children with new clothes

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015) Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie Page 2

Scholarship Tour- Mr.Tenzin Samphel La, the THF Scholarship Officier toured Chennai, Banga- lore and Mangalore to visit our students who are pursuing higher studies. We have over 180 children in more than 10 different colleges in these places. During his visit from 24th January to 6th February 2015, Mr Samphel La met the students, held discussion with Principal and administrators of differ- ent colleges and requested admission for graduating students in year 2015. We are happy to report that our students in these colleges have earned good reputation and positive response from the Principals and other staff.

Mr.Tenzin Samphel with college Principal. Losar CELEBRATION (Tibetan New Year)

19th - 22nd February, 2015: Losar the Tibetan New Year is one of the most awaited festivals of Tibetan people. This year 2142 wood sheep Tibetan Losar was celebrated with much happi- ness by children and staff in the foun- dation. The mood of Losar came few weeks before it actually started. One could see the children and the home Derga(Tibetan Cookies Offering in THF parents busy with the preparation for Office after decoration) the Losar making Tibetan cookies Parents Day: The United Nations proclaimed Khapsey, cleaning and etc. Evening June 1 to be the Global Day of Parents but before the losar, Derga or the Khapsey Tibetan people commemorate the Parents Day offering started in each home as per on 5th March every year on the birth anniver- the Tibetan tradition. The losar starts sary of Mrs. Dickyi Tsering La late mother of with greeting and wishing each others, His Holiness the . Losar celebrations were held at the Since the home parents in THF have a vital homes while on the third day early role to play for the growth of the children morning prayers were held at Dalai under our care, we too commemorated the Hill with hoisting of prayer flags. At parents day in THF Tsering Dolma Audito- rium which also coincident with 15th Day of homes the children were given special first month of Tibetan Calendar. Mr. Tenzin meals with fruits and eggs. Making Tibetan Cookies at Home Nyima head of registration and admission department of THF read the statement of Department of Education on the occasion.

New Academic Session 2015

End of Winter Vacation: 28th February 2015 was the last School Reopen on 2nd March 2015, after over two day for the children to return back from their winter holi- months of winter holiday the School re-opened for days. The school reopen on 2nd of March for the new aca- the new academic session of year 2015-16. At the demic session of 2015. Majority of the children who had morning Assembly Dr. Passang Dhundup, Principal, left for vacations returned back in time and after going through their medical check-up at the hospital they were addressed the students. His address focused on stud- back in their homes. It was a special time for the children ies and school discipline from the beginning. All stu- as they seemed to enjoy meeting their home mates after a dents looked happy to start School and meet their long gap of time and exchanging their vacation experi- friends and class mates. The first day was busy with ences. distribution of books and stationary.

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015) Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie Page 3

Tibetan National Uprising Day On 10th March 1959, thousands of Tibetan people stood up against China in Lhasa the capital city of to protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Since then, every year the Tibetan people around the globe commemorate this day as Tibetan National Uprising Day. In Mussoorie, the commemoration began with prayer at Dalai hill in the morning by the staff, students and all Tibetan people living in Mussoorie. This was followed by the function at the basket ground of the Central School for Tibetan where representative from CST read the statement of (Cabinet of CTA). Mr.Tenzin Nyima head of Registration and Admission of THF read statement of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Mr.Gendun Rinchen Assistant General Secretary of THF and Mr. Ngodup Norbu rector of CST addressed the gath- ering. The highlights and focal point of their speech was the importance of the modern education and responsibilities of Tibetan people at this critical situation of the Tibet as a nation. This was followed by protest rally organized by RTYC and RTWA from Happy Valley to main town to create awareness about the critical situation of Tibet and its people.

New General Secretary

New General Secretary: The three Parents, Teachers and school th year term of 12 General Secretary Mr. captain welcome the new (Retd Col.) completed general secretary with tradi- th on 12 March 2015, Mr. Sonam Top- tional Tibetan scarf. The gyal Khorlatsang currently serving as family member of THF wish Secretary of Department of Home in him successful work at THF Central Tibetan Administration, Dhar- in coming years. amshala replaced him. He was former general secretary of Tibetan Homes

Foundation from 2010-2012, the staff, Former THF General Secretary Mr.Penpa Tsering with New General Secretary Khorlatsang and other dignitaries

20th Shoton Festival It is an honor and proud moment for the sattva) and the tantric adept Padmasamb- the Great 5th Dalai Lama introduced THF Family and its sponsors that the 53 hava which is known as Khen Lob Choe the Tibetan opera into the celebration, children assisted by three staff have taken Sum in Tibetan. The king Trisong Deut- making it a nationwide festival. The part in the 20th Tibetan Opera Festival sen, Guru Padmasambhava, and Khenpo Shoton festival in exile was revived on (Shoton) at Tibetan Institute of Perform- Boddhisattva celebrated the successful His Holiness advice in 1993 ing Arts (TIPA) Dharamshala which establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by started on 27th March 2015. The opening founding its first monastery called Samye. ceremony of the Festival was blessed by Aftermath seven Tibetans received mo- His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This year’s nastic vows and from then on their ordi- festival dedicated to His Holiness the nation was considered to be the inaugura- Dalai Lama who will turn 80th in July tion of monastic Buddhism in Tibet. The 2015. Dr., Mem- Buddhist devout King presided over a bers of Kashag(Cabinet) Speaker of Ti- massive translation effort in order to ren- betan Parliament, Tibetan Parliamentar- der the collection of Buddha’s teachings ian and other dignitaries of Central Ti- into Tibetan with help of Indian scholars. betan Administration were also present at Since that time, massive volumes of Bud- the ceremony. dhist texts were translated into Tibetan On 28th March 2015, The THF troupe language. The performance of THF performed “Khen Lob Choe Sum” the troupe received huge appreciation from THF Troupe performing Khen Lob Choe Sum historic of spread of Buddhist Dharma in the spectators. Tibet under the great Dharma King Shoton Festival originates from the 11th Trisong Deutsen (ca 740-798),Indian century deeply rooted Tibetan traditions. scholar Shantarakshita(Khenpo Boddhi- It had been a religious observance until

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015) Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie Page 4

Conclusion With continuous support and contribution from our organizational and individual sponsors, donors and supporters, THF family were able to come all the hardship to run this non profit charitable institution and achieve one of the leading education and child care centre in Tibetan Community. We are extremely thankful to all our sponsors, donors, supporters and friends. With your support and contribution, we will cherish the younger generation of Tibetan people and fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

THANK YOU.

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015)