The Sherpa School

In the winter of 1995, Mr. Ang Tsering Lama, head of the senior family of Bampti Bandhar in Eastern Nepal and one of the governors of the Buddha Academy Boarding School (BABS) asked its Principal, Mr Dorje Namgyal Lama, to visit his village.

It was Mr. Namgyal’s 5th year at BABS and his skill in running and expanding the home and school so impressive that it was hoped he would have ideas as to how the children in this area could be helped as well.

In Mr. Namgyal’s own words: “This one week’s travel enabled me to understand the lives of the poor people – especially the children – in the hills. While I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, I was sad to see the dreadful living conditions of the poor children who, in many villages, had no opportunity to go to school.

Most of the children looked undernourished and hungry. One little boy of not more than 10 years old wanted to carry my bag for 5 hours for 10 rupees! (135 Rupees = 1 GBP).

I found that many children join a nearby government school when they are about 10 years old or older, going directly into Class I without any pre-schooling to give them a foundation.

As a result, most of the children drop out even before reaching Class V (aged 13 to 14 years). I thought the only solution to this problem was to set up a kindergarten for children from 4/5 years old. This would then ensure a basic foundation when they joined the government school in Class I.

On my return to Kathmandu I reported my findings and ideas for a solution to Mr. Ang Tsering Lama. He accepted my proposals, asked me to make a small project plan, and to help find him donors.

He offered his large house for the kindergarten and his wife, Ang Kandhi Lama, volunteered to work as manager.” Thanks to the head family of the district, Mr. Namgyal was able to plan a kindergarten for 30 children with 2 teachers and a cook.

The provision of one well balanced meal a day was considered very important as in some cases this would be the only meal the children would get.

After the successful completion of the first year of the project, the number of children increased to 50 with many more children on the waiting list.

During the second phase we were able to build new classrooms for 100 children, a small dining room and even a small guesthouse for volunteers. This project was completed in 1999. The Sherpa School has expanded as quickly as funds permit. We are proud to have a little over 200 children, 40 of whom are boarders.

Our classes have extended to Class V. The success of the school which feeds the children as well as giving them a good education, means we have over 500 applications from poor children in the district in real need of such support.

Mr. Dorje Namgyal has gone on to expand and improve the Buddha Academy Boarding School so that it now looks after and educates 570 children.

He is no longer involved with the Sherpa School as each institution is autonomous.