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Handwerksheim für behinderte tibetische Kinder

News

Dezember 2004 | Neuer Vereinsvorstand | Der Stand im Jahre 2004 | Ngawangs Letter

Archiv: News 2001 | 1. Halbjahr 1999 | Nawangs Bericht 7/99 (englisch)

Glimpse of Nyingthop Ling

DECISIONS

A) Space to fit more children

Considering both the cost factor involved and the inconvenience of maintaining two separate sites for the same project, compounded further by competition among buyers, we strongly felt the need of buying the adjacent land of 4.75 kanals. We agreed upon a deal to pay 6,50,000 Indian Rupees for the land and another 100,000 Rupees for registration and name transfer etc.

We have already paid 1,25,000 IR as the first installment. For the remaining amount, we have to pay bank interest till we could clear the whole amount.

B) Fence for safety and clean surrounding

1. Efforts were made to lessen running expenses by growing vegetable garden but to no avail. We have realised that proper fencing is a must not only to protect vegetable and flowers, but also the children from dangers from stray dogs and cattle.

2. Fencing is necessary also to avoid conflict with local people over our children (specially girls) wandering into their neighbourhood and vice versa. Quotations for labour and the required construction material range from 25,0000 to 110,000 Rs. (The bargain is still on).

C) New admission based on first-person observation

As in most cases, explanations offered to us about a child's condition through written means and otherwise differ from his or her actual state. The prospective ward has to be, therefore, left for observation in Nyingthop Ling for at least 15 days in order to see if he or she stands deserving of Nyingthp Ling's care. This is important to ensure that he or she meets the required criteria as per the aims and objectives of Nyingthop Ling. Based on this Passang Lhamo (F), both deaf and dumb, was admitted on April 19, 1999. She is a very clever girl nonetheless.

D) Monsoon Prevention

A wire net extension has been erected to close the space lying vacant between the  office and the kitchen store in order to ward off mosquitoes, prevalent specially in monsoon season. Locking at night also helps. Necessary drainage has been laid and the walls of the house plastered in order to lessen the impact of monsoon's heavy downpour. Being a single-bricked room, rainwater easily enter the house.

TRAINING

STEP I - Recreation (games, songs etc) - The highest priority has been given to developing a family-like atmosphere for the wards. Due to their habitual isolation from other children at home and in the society, they are not very inclined to mutual interaction. Making the wards participate in the day-to-day routine of NL has itself been an uphill task. But with the passage of time, we have noticed them overcoming their aloofness and showing keener interest in helping each other out. In nutshell, it seems they have learnt to live in harmony.

STEP II - Drawing started on April 15, 1999 - At present drawing ensures maximum participation from the wards. It is a healthy sign of lessening mental aversion by the wards to all written materials. Two, in fact, have made remarkable progress and now express excitement over drawings. Earlier they used to tear paper and break pencil.

STEP III  - Knitting April, 30, 1999 - Now one girl can knit baby cap and socks. One girl can knit only plain items like scarf. Two girls can knit for about a knot or two.

STEP IV - Rangzen bracelets or friendship band May 25, 1999 - One girl can make three designs of various sizes. One girl can make two simple designs of one size. One girl can make few knots on a single thread.

STEP V  - Prayer May 17, 1999 - Prayer is a good medicine to soothe one's mental stress and the act of praying itself is an effective source of both mental and physical rejuvenation. Not only does it instill a sense of physical discipline but also moral values. Considering that they have so far been bereft of this opportunity, I have made it compulsory for every ward to attend  prayer sessions along with the staff members. Most of the wards are now capable of sitting silently while a few can recite prayers and make prostration.

SOCIAL WORK

Cleaning the surrounding area and gardening. Participation in morning and evening playtime has progressed.

VISITORS

Some of the important visitors to the site have been:

• - Representative of His Holiness in France
• - President of Aid A'la Enfance, Paris
• - The full batch of Teacher's Training Course from TCV (They are the first buyers of our products amounting 350 Rs.)

The visitors have expressed appreciation of our initiative. Their expression of solidarity has been a big morale booster

PRESS/ MEDIA

We have been fortunate to receive good local and international media coverage.

Inauguration Day March 27, 1999

• Broadcasted by Radio Free Asia - USA (RFA)
• B7 Press: Tibet Times - NGO
• Cholsum - NGO
• Tibetan Freedom - Governmental
• Special Press Conference by DIIR
• Sheja magazine, April issue - Govt. Papers
• Tibetan Freedom - Govt. Papers
• Cholsum Paper - Combined paper of three provinces/ NGO
• Broadcasted
• RFA (USA): A full feature
• Two times updated with Question session
• VOT (Norway): Interviews and editor's view
• Lots of other interviews

GREETINGS

With this update I would like to take the opportunity of thanking all our supporters whose generous contributions have not only helped us realise our "Realm of Courage", but also given hope to many downtrodden parents and a future to their handicapped children. Items like clothes, medicines etc left either in my hands or at Chonor House served great purpose to the needy children. They liked Herbert Nagels drawing papers left at Chonor House. Those who wrote and send photos, thank you very much and we are grateful to you all and hope your support will always be with us.

With warmest regards from the children and staff of Nyingthob Ling

Ngawang Lhamo (ATPD)