VVF Canada

FAQ for Himalayan Teachers Project from SMD Boarding School

How do we know the money that is donated to the Himalayan Teachers Project is going to this initiative? 

Funds come directly into the school bank account from Namo Buddha Foundation, our nonprofit organization that is registered in Canada that receives funds from Vajra Vidya Foundation, the fundraising charity. The young women who are being educated will have their letters posted on the HTP website so we can update our donors. 

It is important for donors to know that, as a Buddhist organization, we take the Buddha's teaching seriously.  To take something that doesn’t belong to us (such as money meant for impoverished Himalayan children) is doing harm and it creates harm for oneself.  

This is the law of Karma.

     What percentage of the funding goes to the Himalyan Teachers Project?

There are no administrative fees. A small amount is deducted by the bank in Canada when funds are transferred.  This is less than 5%. Vajra Vidya Foundation in Canada has no paid staff and keeps operating costs low to be able to send more funds to Nepal. 

The director of the school volunteers her time.  This is an amazing example of Buddhist teaching - giving back is such a large part of their belief. 

What is the process for volunteering at SMD School? 

Parameters for Volunteers at SMD Schools (Kathmandu and Namo Buddha)

1. You are already on the Waiting List
2. SMD has accepted you
3. You are over 18 years
4. No volunteers allowed in June, July and August
5. You commit to 4 months (no short-term volunteers permitted)
6. Previous volunteering experience is a distinct plus
7. We can only take 2 volunteers at a time
8. You commit to find at least 1 sponsor before you leave SMD
9. You or your parents/guardians (if you are a minor in your country) sign a waiver absolving SMD School and any of our non-profits of legal responsibility vis a vis your health, safety and well-being.
10. We do NOT take applicats who have not been through this vetting process.

People interesting in volunteering can write Shirley at himalayanchildren@gmail.com

     How can I find out information on child trafficking in Nepal? 

This is a serious issue and education can help this problem immensely.

“Trafficking of young girls and women has plagued the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal for many decades. It is estimated by some scholars that over 140,000 to 200,000 young girls and women continue to be grinded in the sex market of Indian brothels in Calcutta, Siliguri, Kanpuir, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, New Delhi and Bombay.” ("Yuabaraj Sangroula: Trafficking of Girls and Women in Nepal – Building a Community Surveillance System for Prevention” Kathmandu School of Law, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2001).

In India a large percentage of the victims are women and girls from Nepal. This report focuses on the trafficking of girls and women from Nepal to brothels in Bombay, where nongovernmental organizations say they comprise up to half of the city's estimated 100,000 sex slaves.  Brothels are tightly controlled, and the girls are under constant surveillance. Escape is virtually impossible. Owners use threats and severe beatings to keep inmates in line. In addition, women fear capture by other brothel agents and arrest by the police if they are found on the streets; some of these police are the brothel owner's best clients. Many of the girls and women are brought to India as virgins; many return to Nepal with the HIV virus.” ("Rape for Profit: Trafficking of Nepali Girls and Women to India's Brothels", Human Rights Watch, India/Nepal, 1995)

Poverty is by itself not the cause of trafficking. It is the visible manifestation of lack of proper land reforms, food insecurity, and globalization with its resulting gap between the rich and the poor and lack of access to universal and free education. (Yuabaraj Sangroula)

Over the years, four SMD girls have been caught by traffickers. Luckily, we were able to rescue them before they came to harm. Educated girls cannot be trafficked.
Website to reference for information

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/90D747F199783971C1256D48005FAF36-tdh-nep-2jun.pdf

There are two very good books you can purchase for further reading on this subject:
Sold (Fiction) written by Patricia Mccormick
Fallen Angels (Non Fiction) by John Fredrick

Organizations in Nepal that help rescued girls:
Anuradha Koirala (CNN hero) and her organization, Maiti Nepal

 Thrangu Rinpoche's projects in Nepal HERE