blog

One Million Lights.org helps Rinpoche's projects

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:27:51 +0100

ONEMILLIONLIGHTS.org has helped Thrangu Rinpoche's projects in Nepal. Thanks, Mackenzie!

"In Nepal, consistent electricity access is scarce, with scheduled rolling blackouts throughout the day for the entire country. I made a decision to go there myself and claim an adventure for the cause. I have been a volunteer with OML for four years now, helping spread awareness about the levels of kerosene-dependence around the world in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Washington DC for several years. "

She contacted "Shirley [Blair] an exquisite woman who leads the Shree Mangal Dvip school.

In Nepal, consistent electricity access is scarce, with scheduled rolling blackouts throughout the day for the entire country. - See more at: http://onemillionlights.org/blog/2013/06/11/ambassador-mackenzie-odonnell-promotes-education-and-health-in-nepal/#sthash.qT5UZKqN.dpuf

I made a decision to go there myself and claim an adventure for the cause. I have been a volunteer with OML for four years now, helping spread awareness about the levels of kerosene-dependence around the world in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Washington DC for several years.

Over several months, Sharon helped me select and communicate with the two schools receiving the lights,

- See more at: http://onemillionlights.org/blog/2013/06/11/ambassador-mackenzie-odonnell-promotes-education-and-health-in-nepal/#sthash.qT5UZKqN.dpuf

"

"I visited the Shree Mangal Dvip School in Kathmandu the day after my arrival, meeting children who would receive the lights on distribution day. These students, between the ages of 4-14 years, all had developed a passion for science and mathematics, medicine and physics. Despite hardships, somehow this school is getting by with the help of donors, luck, and a lot of hard work." READ more about Mackenzie's trip to SMD and SMD Branch School in Namo Buddha.

- See more at: http://onemillionlights.org/blog/2013/06/11/ambassador-mackenzie-odonnell-promotes-education-and-health-in-nepal/#sthash.qT5UZKqN.dpuf"

Red Deer students raise funds for SMD

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:18:20 +0100

"Disparity Dinner" event supports SMD

Two SMD students in Red Deer at Lindsay Thurber High School IB program participated in an event to support SMD and bring awareness of the harsh reality of poverty.

"'Disparity Dinner AKA Poverty Meal' turned out very successful with lots of support and good suggestions from community people.
We sold 91 tickets each worth $5. It was funny to hear some people saying $5 sounds too cheap, make it to $10 next time. Anyway we raised more than $1000 for SMD and a couple hundred bucks for "Tools For Africa Foundation". Lots of it came as donations."
Great idea, Chaynga and Urgen. Good luck in Grade 12!

Developed nation: Roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings, sparkling juice, desert and your own first class dining experience.

Developing nation 1: Vegetarian chili, rice, juice, cookie desert, and a casual dining experience

Developing nation 2: Rice, water and a close, ground level dining experience.

Global Dental Relief comes to SMD

Sun, 26 May 2013 19:23:04 +0100

This amazing group comes to SMD Boarding School once or twice a year to treat the kids and teach about oral hygiene. Please support them. The video has lots of images of the SMD kids and the grads who assist the dentists.
At Global Dental Relief our mission is to bring free dental care to children throughout the world.

Volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants and non-dental volunteers deliver treatment and preventive care in dental clinics that serve children in schools, orphanages and remote villages.

With a vision to transform lives and cultivate community through volunteerism, GDR provides opportunities for diverse groups of volunteers to explore the world and bring free dental care and oral hygiene education to thousands of impoverished children in Nepal, India, Guatemala, Vietnam, Kenya and Cambodia.

Sponsors deliver Vitamins to SMD

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:19:21 +0100

Mike and Chantal Schauch from Vancouver visited and brought vitamins.

Mike reports, "Natural Factors multi vitamins were safely delivered to Shree Mangal Dvip School for Himalayan children in Nepal. The kids and staff were very grateful to receive these multis!

When visiting the school, we discovered that approximately 100 new kids were admitted to the school this year. Most of these kids come from extremely remote mountain villages, and many suffer from severe malnutrition when they arrive at the school. Before they arrive at the school, most kids have never even received three square meals a day. So the vitamins are very important for the children’s health and well being"

Solar Power at Tara Abbey

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:34:14 +0100

SOLAR POWER INSTALLED AT TARA ABBEY

Municipal electrical power is a great problem for everyone in Nepal. Load shedding (rolling blackouts) is scheduled twice a day for a

total of at least 8 hours, so it is common to use fuel powered generators for back up power.

Generators are costly to run, noisy and polluting and Tara Abbey has been able to minimize reliance on a generator by reducing the outlets and machines connected to generator power and by just doing without which really restricts many monastic activities – especially studying!

Last year Khenpo Chonyi, the Abbot of Tara Abbey, tested the use of solar power by installing a small solar panel and battery to illuminate the walkways between buildings. It worked so well that the decision was made to provide more solar power throughout the Abbey.

Kuber Electronics of Nepal has just completed the installation of solar panels, inverters, batteries, wiring and insulation which will provide lights for dorm rooms, shrine rooms, the dining hall, hallways and front gate.

Half of the $8000.00 USD needed for this project came from HCF donors (including Friends of Tara Abbey) in the United States and half from a a generous Tara Abbey donor from Malaysia.

Edmonton Fund Raiser - Kids Helping Kids!!

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:56:46 +0100

Last week two children in Edmonton spearheaded a campaign to raise funds through their elementary schools to fund education for the Himalayan children in Tsum, far away in the mountains of Nepal. They raised over $300!

Jane (mom) writes:

Michael A. Kostek Elementary School had a school-wide bottle drive on Wednesday, May 8th and Thursday, May 9th.
Hillview Elementary School will be doing a ‘Principal for a Day’ raffle on Monday.

All proceeds from both grass-roots events will help fund teachers’ salaries in Tsum Valley.Our global community is growing, with Edmonton teachers and students helping provide education all the way across the world in an extremely remote Himalayan valley.

Are you going to Nepal? Want to be a 'yak'?

Sat, 11 May 2013 16:32:32 +0100

Donors have graciously supplied VVF with medicines and other items for the schools and clinics in Nepal.

Are you going to Nepal?
Could you take an extra suitcase?

Please email us at vvfcanada@yahoo.ca to help get supplies to the projects in Nepal.

Thank you!

Karma Dolma in Halifax update

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:15:58 +0100

Karma Dolma Gurung just finished her year of studies at St. Mary's University in Halifax, NS. She is preparing to buckle down to summer classes and two part-time jobs!! She is so dedicated to getting her degree!

This is an update from her school newsletter with a recipe for you to enjoy.

Terry Symonds' Next SMD Fund Raiser

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:29:20 +0100

Terry Symonds needs your help to support 10 kids at SMD. Please join him at his Fund Raising Event May 4, 2013

Sullivan Community Hall

6 pm-12 am

6306 152 Street, Surrey, BC V3S 3K9

Tickets in advance from Terry (778 829 0962)

$25 each ($30 at the door)

Blind Auction.

Coffee house with folk artists, spoken word, and

community dancing.

Deep Seated and the Dust Covers.

Light snacks, coffee and tea provided. (no alcohol)

Thrangu Rinpoche arriving in Vancouver!!

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:26:27 +0100

Dear Sangha Friends,

Tashi Deleg!
It is with great joy that I am to invite you all for a welcoming ceremony for our beloved master, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Rinpoche will arrive at our monastery 2 pm on May 1, 2013. We are extremely fortunate that Rinpoche will return here to be with us and bless us with his presence. It is our honor and great privilege to have him in residence here at his seat in North America.

On behalf of Khenpo Sonam and our monks, I would like to cordially invite you to this welcoming ceremony for Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Please come and enjoy this auspicious event with us.

Refreshments in the Dining hall 1 pm
Arrival and welcoming ceremony 2 pm
Dinner 6pm

Please RSVP

With best wishes,
Dungse Lama Pema

Thrangu Monastery Canada thrangumonastery.org
8140 No. 5 Road
Richmond BC V6Y 2V4