Welcome to the Tibetan Children's Education Foundation

2010 Service Trip to India Project Sites REPORT - KYITSEL-LING HOSTEL

Apr 19, 2010 - 1:32:11

Our visit this year to the Kyitsel-ling Hostel in Clement town was wonderful. Many of the children know us from previous visits and it was like visiting family. Tsering Phuntsok , director of the hostel and family welcomed us and were warm and accommodating hosts. The wonderful Kyitsel-ling staff above are wearing their new TCEF tee shirts and sending their warmest greetings to all of you.

The children looked happy and healthy. The older kids in 10th form were studying diligently for major exams that will determine the very important rank needed for placement in the Indian education system.

The younger children were playful and eager to have us join them to read stories, shoot baskets, play ping pong, and talk. They were much less shy this year and their English much improved.

We had several projects planned for this visit and the children were excited and eager participants.

Vocational Project:

Guy Kitchen, a Montana builder taught the older boys how to build a picnic table. Under his guidance the boys learned how to read the blueprint, measure and cut the pieces of wood, plane the wood, drill, screw and assemble the parts. It was a total hands on experience. The boys were focused and worked as a team and were so excited and proud of the finished project. I am happy to report the table is in constant use by the hostel members.

Cultural Exchange
At the Tibetan School classroom, Mary Kitchen of Montana and Darrell Hayes of Australia, presented a culturally entertaining slide show depicting life in America and Australia. The presentation included each child receiving their own boarding pass which were then stamped to enter the country. The images included typical homes, stores, foods, hospitals , schools, animals, and people. The children were thrilled and paid very close attention some even taking notes.

Art Project

Our group brought art supplies; cakes of tempera paint, brushes and good paper and did art projects. Valerie Hellermann (TCEF project manager) and Katie Knight(Helena HS teacher) prepared an art exchange project. The Helena HS kids made personal symbols and strung them like prayer flags to send to the kids in the Hostel. The kids were presented the flags and the hostel children then painted images of their environment to send to the Helena HS kids. Photo images of both groups painting have been exchanged. Namgyal, Tserings wife was especially happy with the art supplies as
she is the weekend art teacher.

Reading

We hauled several large bags of books for the kids. Thank you sponsors who donated these great books. Lynn and Darrell from Australia, brought their share of great kids books for various age groups. These were so well appreciated. Jane Wieland (TCEF board member) spent quite a bit of time delighting the children with her animated reading of stories. The JOY of cuddling up together for a good story!

General Gifts

Along with books those heavy bags were packed with harmonicas(24), roller blades, stuffed animals, beads(for beading), clothing and all the gifts the sponsors sent to their children. Though it is difficult to transport these heavy bags to and around India, it was so worth it when we opened them up and the kids saw the heartfelt gifts from donors brought from across the world to them!! So, thanks and next year, next trip, please think LIGHTWEIGHT.

KYITSEL-LING WISH LIST

A conversation with Tsering Phuntsok about the ongoing needs generated this rough WISH LIST

National Geographic subscription
Time Magazine subscription

Funds for Primary Health Care Program;

A specific fund for this.Currently it is suggested that new students have immunizations but it is not mandatory and many parents can not afford this. Kyitsel-ling would need to pay for this .Keep in mind the hostel children all sleep in dormitories.
The immunizations needed are: MMR, typhoid, polio, tetanus, Hep A&B and TB test
It is approx. 1500 rs or $35.41 per child.

Kitchen Renovation Project:

Though the kitchen is clean and functional it is tired. There is a need for a new refrigerator and a bigger newer stove.
2 Tables tile or marble topped - 30,000rs $715.00 USD
stainless steel 3 burner stove - 60,000rs $1430.00 USD
Refrigerator - 10,000rs $238.00 USD
new counters for storage - 15,000 rs $357.00 USD
Build a small storage room for LPG(gas) with adequate ventilation and locks - awaiting estimate

Recreation room;

3 medium sized tables with 6 benches - 1500rs each = 4500rs =$108.00 USD

College Support;

A college BS program in New Delhi , costs approx. 40,000rs-45,000rs or $950 -1,071USD per year including hostel living and food. Many of our intelligent graduates from Kyitsel-ling long to further their education by attending college but cannot afford to .Remember these are sponsored children. Please consider extending your sponsorships a few more years to get them through college.
In 2010 , 2 kids graduated from Kyitsel-ling, in 2011 there will be 13. Many who dream of attending college.

Vocational Project

Guy Kitchen taught the boys how to build a picnic table and it was a wonderful project enjoyed by all. It would be a benefit to continue to introduce these skills as they are useful as alternate careers and just for the skill. The boys expressed real pride in their work . Funding for projects would include cost of materials (wood and nails) equipment is already at Kyitsel-ling, and the cost of a local crafts person to come out once or twice a month.