Project 1: support to distant villages
Up until now the association has been focusing its support to the village of Photoksar, situated at 4300 meters high and reachable after a 6 hour hike from Wanla, 4 hour drive from the capital, Leh.
Several actions have taken place:
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installation of local heating systems to protect the health of the family. The unique living room of the house is actually quite smoky due to the rudimentary nature of the heating system;
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purchase of yarn for the women's Association to knit and sell socks, hats, gloves, etc, along the trek;
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financial support to the teachers to improve their revenues;
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purchase of a large tent to house gatherings and animations for the villagers;
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material help for a sick young man;
Project 2: creation of a special school
In Ladakh, the care for handicapped children is quasi nonexistent. Some children with mental handicap or educational delay are integrated into the classes of the public schools as there aren't any specialized programs.
Gamuyl Phanday Tsogspa has decided to create, in collaboration with the parents, a special scholastic structure destined to children and teenagers mentally handicapped in the Leh region. That school, which will be named “Munsel” (ladakhi name meaning “coming out of obscurity and ignorance, finding hope again”) will open its doors in April 2008 to welcome pupils. Its objectives are:
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allow children to benefit from a regular and individual follow-up to suit their needs and intellectual capacities;
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serve as a training center for local teachers to familiarize them with techniques of specialized education;
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encourage and support parents of concerned children by getting them involved in the creation, organization and life of the school.
Munsel School is open!
Our little Munsel specialized school is open since early April 2008. It's situated by the airport, a few kilometers for the center of Leh, capital of Ladakh. The school open its doors on a beautiful spring-like Sunday afternoon with the parents of the Munsel pupils. Everybody was there, the mood was very festive!
The parents are delighted by the location and arrangement of the school. They're happy that their children now also have access to an education adjusted to each of their individual intellectual needs. For the first time, these children will be able to leave home a few days a week to be cared for by professionals. The families are so relieved by that precious help.
Presently, Munsel school welcomes pupils ages 4 to 16 year old who have severe mental delays. They come to school part-time. Mara Casella, special education teacher and in charge of the school, is seconded by a swiss student from Haute Ecole Pedagogique de Fribourg (HES) who completes his diploma with that training of a few months. Soon after, a ladakhi teacher will join the little Munsel school.
The association has also hired a driver, Dorjee. He's Tibetan and lives with his family at the school site. Dorjee also works as a cook and prepares the midday lunch. The whole team of the association is looking forward to continue that beautiful adventure and hopes, in a near future, to welcome more pupils. She thanks you for your support.
