No Snow Fall: Since January 2015

weather in Mussoorie has been pretty

dry. We were hopeful with some snow

fall instead we received some small por-

tion of hail. Over all weathers condition

in the past three months been excellent.

Winter Picnic 2015 – A three night stay

at Rajpur was organized from 12th to 24th

January 2015 as part of winter picnic. Chil-

dren were divided in three batches of 110-

120 hosted by the branch School in Ra-

jpur. 1st Batch of the children left from

Mussoorie to Rajpur on 12th January and

had interaction with THF children at Ra-

jpur. The next day after breakfast the chil-

dren visited to Drikung Kague and

Songtsen Library and Forest Research

Institute of Dheradun. They had packed

lunch at Drikung Monsatery. On the sec-

ond day the Children had wonderful pil-

grimage visit at Nyingmapa moastery in

Clementown where they also got to see

the 101 ft tall Buddha Statue and the

Great Stupa dedicated to World Peace

which is 185 ft tall. The pilgrimage was

completed at Rajpur after visiting the Sa-

kya Monastery. To have a thrilling experi-

ence in the cinema hall,the children en-

joyed the popular Hindi Movie called P.K.

with some Pepsi and popcorn. On the

final day the children were taken out

for a shopping with their limited

pocket money to different places. Dur-

ing the three days special food was

served to children as a part of the pic-

nic and also pocket money of Rs.

100/- per day was granted. A total of

about 500 children along with the

home parents were part of the winter

overnight picnic.

Winter Fun Classes- This year over

300 children participated in the win-

ter activities. The classes comprising

of Drawing and Painting Group,

Book Binding, Tibetan Musical in-

struments, Tibetan Handwriting.

Cooking Class and etc were organ-

ized with different resource persons.

We are happy to inform you that the

resource persons have been our own

staff members who have taken the

overall burden of the different

classes. The children have taken keen

interest in the classes and enjoyed

learning new skills. The winter holi-

days of the children were spent in a

constructive and new learning experi-

ence.

1st Quarter 2015 THF News

Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie

Dear friends,

Tashi Delek and many warm greetings from Tibetan Homes Foundation! It is my privilege to report you the Tri

Months (January-March 2015) THF news. With your support the year 2014 has been a special year where we were able to give our

children a holistic education with academic brilliance. The first quarter of 2015 was no less and we bring you here some highlights.

Warm winter clothes: The children who remain back in the foundation during

Winter Break are mostly destitute. The need of the children in terms of clothes at

the homes were one of the utmost. This year the home parents were provided

with the pocket money for shopping and it was a success as children went along

and bought clothes of their choice and needs. All children and parents were asked

to bring their purchased items for a group photo. The warm winter clothing was

also meant to be a gift for the Losar – Tibetan New Year for the children at the

homes.

Children with new clothes

1st Quarter 2015 THF News

Page 1

(January-March 2015)

Photos of Winter classes

School Reopen on 2nd March 2015, after over two

months of winter holiday the School re-opened for

the new academic session of year 2015-16. At the

morning Assembly Dr. Passang Dhundup, Principal,

addressed the students. His address focused on stud-

ies and school discipline from the beginning. All stu-

dents looked happy to start School and meet their

friends and class mates. The first day was busy with

distribution of books and stationary.

End of Winter Vacation: 28th February 2015 was the last

day for the children to return back from their winter holi-

days. The school reopen on 2nd of March for the new aca-

demic session of 2015. Majority of the children who had

left for vacations returned back in time and after going

through their medical check-up at the hospital they were

back in their homes. It was a special time for the children

as they seemed to enjoy meeting their home mates after a

long gap of time and exchanging their vacation experi-

ences.

19th - 22nd February, 2015: Losar the

Tibetan New Year is one of the most

awaited festivals of Tibetan people.

This year 2142 wood sheep Tibetan

Losar was celebrated with much happi-

ness by children and staff in the foun-

dation. The mood of Losar came few

weeks before it actually started. One

could see the children and the home

parents busy with the preparation for

the Losar making Tibetan cookies

Khapsey, cleaning and etc. Evening

before the losar, Derga or the Khapsey

offering started in each home as per

the Tibetan tradition. The losar starts

with greeting and wishing each others,

Losar celebrations were held at the

homes while on the third day early

morning prayers were held at Dalai

Hill with hoisting of prayer flags. At

homes the children were given special

meals with fruits and eggs.

Losar CELEBRATION (Tibetan New Year)

New Academic Session 2015

Scholarship Tour- Mr.Tenzin Samphel La, the THF Scholarship Officier toured Chennai, Banga-

lore and Mangalore to visit our students who are pursuing higher studies. We have over 180 children

in more than 10 different colleges in these places. During his visit from 24th January to 6th February

2015, Mr Samphel La met the students, held discussion with Principal and administrators of differ-

ent colleges and requested admission for graduating students in year 2015. We are happy to report

that our students in these colleges have earned good reputation and positive response from the

Principals and other staff.

Mr.Tenzin Samphel with college Principal.

Page 2 Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie

Parents Day: The United Nations proclaimed

June 1 to be the Global Day of Parents but

Tibetan people commemorate the Parents Day

on 5th March every year on the birth anniver-

sary of Mrs. Dickyi Tsering La late mother of

His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Since the home parents in THF have a vital

role to play for the growth of the children

under our care, we too commemorated the

parents day in THF Tsering Dolma Audito-

rium which also coincident with 15th Day of

first month of Tibetan Calendar. Mr. Tenzin

Nyima head of registration and admission

department of THF read the statement of

Department of Education on the occasion.

Derga(Tibetan Cookies Offering in THF

Office after decoration)

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015)

Making Tibetan Cookies at Home

sattva) and the tantric adept Padmasamb-

hava which is known as Khen Lob Choe

Sum in Tibetan. The king Trisong Deut-

sen, Guru Padmasambhava, and Khenpo

Boddhisattva celebrated the successful

establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by

founding its first monastery called Samye.

Aftermath seven Tibetans received mo-

nastic vows and from then on their ordi-

nation was considered to be the inaugura-

tion of monastic Buddhism in Tibet. The

Buddhist devout King presided over a

massive translation effort in order to ren-

der the collection of Buddha’s teachings

into Tibetan with help of Indian scholars.

Since that time, massive volumes of Bud-

dhist texts were translated into Tibetan

language. The performance of THF

troupe received huge appreciation from

the spectators.

Shoton Festival originates from the 11th

century deeply rooted Tibetan traditions.

It had been a religious observance until

It is an honor and proud moment for the

THF Family and its sponsors that the 53

children assisted by three staff have taken

part in the 20th Tibetan Opera Festival

(Shoton) at Tibetan Institute of Perform-

ing Arts (TIPA) Dharamshala which

started on 27th March 2015. The opening

ceremony of the Festival was blessed by

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This year’s

festival dedicated to His Holiness the

Dalai Lama who will turn 80th in July

2015. Sikyong Dr.Lobsang Sangay, Mem-

bers of Kashag(Cabinet) Speaker of Ti-

betan Parliament, Tibetan Parliamentar-

ian and other dignitaries of Central Ti-

betan Administration were also present at

the ceremony.

On 28th March 2015, The THF troupe

performed “Khen Lob Choe Sum” the

historic of spread of Buddhist Dharma in

Tibet under the great Dharma King

Trisong Deutsen (ca 740-798),Indian

scholar Shantarakshita(Khenpo Boddhi-

the Great 5th Dalai Lama introduced

the Tibetan opera into the celebration,

making it a nationwide festival. The

Shoton festival in exile was revived on

His Holiness advice in 1993

Tibetan National Uprising Day

New General Secretary

20th Shoton Festival

On 10th March 1959, thousands of Tibetan people stood up against China in Lhasa the capital city of Tibet to protest against the Chinese

occupation of Tibet. Since then, every year the Tibetan people around the globe commemorate this day as Tibetan National Uprising

Day. In Mussoorie, the commemoration began with prayer at Dalai hill in the morning by the staff, students and all Tibetan people living

in Mussoorie. This was followed by the function at the basket ground of the Central School for Tibetan where representative from CST

read the statement of Kashag(Cabinet of CTA). Mr.Tenzin Nyima head of Registration and Admission of THF read statement of Tibetan

Parliament in Exile, Mr.Gendun Rinchen Assistant General Secretary of THF and Mr. Ngodup Norbu rector of CST addressed the gath-

ering. The highlights and focal point of their speech was the importance of the modern education and responsibilities of Tibetan people

at this critical situation of the Tibet as a nation. This was followed by protest rally organized by RTYC and RTWA from Happy Valley to

main town to create awareness about the critical situation of Tibet and its people.

Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie Page 3

Parents, Teachers and school

captain welcome the new

general secretary with tradi-

tional Tibetan scarf. The

family member of THF wish

him successful work at THF

in coming years.

New General Secretary: The three

year term of 12th General Secretary Mr.

Penpa Tsering(Retd Col.) completed

on 12th March 2015, Mr. Sonam Top-

gyal Khorlatsang currently serving as

Secretary of Department of Home in

Central Tibetan Administration, Dhar-

amshala replaced him. He was former

general secretary of Tibetan Homes

Foundation from 2010-2012, the staff, Former THF General Secretary Mr.Penpa Tsering with New General Secretary Khorlatsang Sonam Topgyal and other dignitaries

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015)

THF Troupe performing Khen Lob Choe Sum

Page 4 Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie

Conclusion

With continuous support and contribution from our organizational and individual sponsors, donors

and supporters, THF family were able to come all the hardship to run this non profit charitable institution

and achieve one of the leading education and child care centre in Tibetan Community. We are extremely

thankful to all our sponsors, donors, supporters and friends. With your support and contribution, we will

cherish the younger generation of Tibetan people and fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

THANK YOU.

1st Quarter 2015 THF News (January-March 2015)