Buddha Academy Boarding School (educational trust)

In 1989 a small school and children’s home was opened in Jorpati, Kathmandu on a large plot of land donated by the late King Birendra. Facilities were meagre – classrooms made from mud, iron sheets and bricks providing little protection from extremes of weather, and only 15 small rooms for all the children to sleep in.

There was poor sanitation and water supply (only one outside cold water tap), no latrine or shower facilities, no dining room, no games apparatus. There were 60 children, some of whom paid a small fee. That was the only money available. There was no government aid.

This fragile situation coupled with the worsening economic problems meant that in early 1991 the school was on the point of closure. Dorje Namgyal Lama, who previously ran the Tibetan Children’s Villages in India was asked by the All Nepal Buddhist Association to take over as Principal and retrieve the situation.

This is exactly what he has done – with startling success. With financial support from individual donors and aid associations abroad, he has managed to construct, expand and improve the quality of the school classrooms, children’s home, school dispensary, dining hall, community kitchen and administrative block.

There are now over 560 children being cared for in a loving and disciplined environment and being well educated. Originally called The Buddha Memorial Childrens’ Home and Buddha Academy, the name was changed to Buddha Academy Boarding School (BABS) when it became formally recognized as an Educational Trust, meaning they no longer have to pay income tax.

The Nepali Government and leaders of the two main religions Hinduism and Buddhism, have given Mr. Dorje Namgyal Lama an award for his work for the poor and street children of Nepal and he was decorated by the late King.