History

In 1991 Mr. Dorje Namgyal Lama was asked to take over as Principal of the Buddha Academy Boarding School (BABS) which was then on the point of closure.

This most remarkable man, totally dedicated with incredible energy, infectious enthusiasm and drive, had been appointed to retrieve the situation. This is exactly what he has done – with startling success.

There were then about 60 children and the Home was in a dire state with only one cold-water tap, for washing outside in the snow.

Classrooms in nothing better than shacks had concrete floors and a blackboard, holes in the wall, no doors, windows, benches or tables. Dorje explained that they did not have the £36 necessary to have the tables and chairs made, let alone the doors and windows.

There are now over 560 children being cared for in a loving and disciplined environment and being given an excellent education.

The Nepali Government and religious leaders of all faiths have awarded him for his work for the poor and street children of Nepal. He was also decorated by the late King.

	[photo] Mr. Sunam Lama, Mr. Ang Tsering Lama, Mr. Dorje Namgyal Lama

Layla Paterson, one of our trustees, met Dorje in 1992. She became one of the many people worldwide convinced that Dorje’s plans to care for and educate these poor children, to the point that they were able to look after themselves and their families, should be supported.

Since 1992 well over 1,000 children have successfully passed through the Buddha Academy Boarding School’s hands.

In 1995 Dorje was invited by Ang Tsering Lama, one of the governors of BABS, to visit his village in Eastern Nepal. Dorje was appalled to see the dreadful living conditions of the children few of whom had the opportunity to go to school.
		[photo] Layla Paterson being given a gift of appreciation for 15 years of support by Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. KP Sharma Oli

Many of the children were severely undernourished and hungry. Upon his return to Kathmandu Dorje made a small project plan for a kindergarten for 30 children.

Mr. Ang Tsering and his family gave room in their house to start the project, but there were little funds to support even this and help was badly needed. Dorje asked Layla to help this project as well.

Now there is a new school building and a new boarding house. There are 200 pupils and amongst them 30 boarders.

We now need more sponsors so that we can continue to take on some of the 500 poor and needy on our waiting list.

With these two projects needing support and possibly others in the future, The Buddha Memorial Childrens Home Trust was founded.

Please visit the individual sites to see more about these wonderful day and boarding schools.